Next Step Community Church
Who We Are
Next Step Community Church is a non-denominational Christian congregation made up of everyday folks pursuing a relationship with Jesus together. Our special focus is on helping people in need—whether hungry, homeless, or seeking recovery from substance abuse.
Our Sunday service offers worship music, testimonies from each other about how God is working in our lives, and a practical and personal message from the Bible. We end with a community meal for all who wish to stay. Kids ages 4-11 attend their own service, where they learn about God through music, Bible reading, crafts, and games. Our middle school/high school program allows students to ask questions, serve, and build lifelong friendships.
Our Staff
Edwin Colon
Lead Pastor
Edwin Colon is the senior pastor of the Next Step Community Church Brooklyn. After years of involvement in a 12-step recovery program, Edwin accepted Christ, and along with his wife Liz, co-founded Next Step Community Church as a Bible study in his kitchen, reaching out to people who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction. Edwin and Liz live in Brooklyn, New York. They have five children: Edwin Jr, Serenity, Grace, Lydia, and David.
Gus Rodriguez
Associate Pastor
A longtime educator with the New York public school system, Pastor Gus heads up adult and children’s education, leadership development, and the men’s program here at Next Step.
Zac Martin
Pastor of Justice and Outreach
Pastor Zac oversees Next Step’s social outreach programs, including the food pantry, community breakfast, mother/baby ministry and more. Zac is an urban missionary who is particularly passionate about elevating the voices and struggles of the marginalized and cares deeply about how the gospel informs and empowers us in issues of justice and mercy. Zac is also a youth mentor, working with a number of public housing residences and high schools.
Chris HooK
Assistant to Pastor Edwin Colon
Chris came to faith in 2011 and has worked alongside Pastor Edwin Colon since 2012. He has a background in high-end sales and management and has turned the skills he learned in the secular world to serve the local church. As a chaplain and licensed minister, he has had many opportunities to serve others for the sake of the Gospel.
Our Core Values
Devotion
Just for today I will seek God’s face
Honesty
Just for today I will practice being honest in all my interactions with others
Growth
Just for today I will challenge myself and grow
Health
Just for today I will commit to improve emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually
Family
Just for today I will find creative ways to bless and connect with my family
Others
Just for today I will practice being honest in all my interactions with others
