NEXT Church
@nextchurch.bsky.social
We’re a network of leaders across the Church supporting & equipping congregations, developing leaders, and strengthening connections.
Radically Inclusive 🌈
Committed to Work of Antiracism ✊🏼✊🏾✊🏻
www.nextchurch.net
Radically Inclusive 🌈
Committed to Work of Antiracism ✊🏼✊🏾✊🏻
www.nextchurch.net
Happy Thanksgiving! We're grateful to be on the journey with you. 💛
November 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Happy Thanksgiving! We're grateful to be on the journey with you. 💛
"The Holy Refrain" by Shani McIlwain 💛
November 21, 2025 at 3:03 PM
"The Holy Refrain" by Shani McIlwain 💛
A powerful litany by Shani McIlwain at the National Gathering in Grand Rapids about the theme “already and not yet.”
November 20, 2025 at 5:16 PM
A powerful litany by Shani McIlwain at the National Gathering in Grand Rapids about the theme “already and not yet.”
Resistance art created in pathways held our space as we shared Communion together and were sent out in blessing.
Traveling mercies to all! Thank you for leaning into ambiguity, not settling for easy answers, and living with us in the Already and Not Yet. We truly are better when we go together.
Traveling mercies to all! Thank you for leaning into ambiguity, not settling for easy answers, and living with us in the Already and Not Yet. We truly are better when we go together.
November 14, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Resistance art created in pathways held our space as we shared Communion together and were sent out in blessing.
Traveling mercies to all! Thank you for leaning into ambiguity, not settling for easy answers, and living with us in the Already and Not Yet. We truly are better when we go together.
Traveling mercies to all! Thank you for leaning into ambiguity, not settling for easy answers, and living with us in the Already and Not Yet. We truly are better when we go together.
That’s a wrap! The 2025 National Gathering is complete.
We closed in worship where Austin Almaguer invited us into radical solidarity, to descend into our own woundedness so we might come up in another’s woundedness and dissolve the walls between us.
We closed in worship where Austin Almaguer invited us into radical solidarity, to descend into our own woundedness so we might come up in another’s woundedness and dissolve the walls between us.
November 14, 2025 at 7:51 PM
That’s a wrap! The 2025 National Gathering is complete.
We closed in worship where Austin Almaguer invited us into radical solidarity, to descend into our own woundedness so we might come up in another’s woundedness and dissolve the walls between us.
We closed in worship where Austin Almaguer invited us into radical solidarity, to descend into our own woundedness so we might come up in another’s woundedness and dissolve the walls between us.
On day 3, Jesy Littlejohn gave us permission to lament, to sit with our grief and name our anger to God. Pathways continued to reflect with art, coaching, and sitting with unanswered questions. A plenary panel showed the impact of engaging with NEXT in ways beyond the National Gathering.
November 14, 2025 at 2:25 AM
On day 3, Jesy Littlejohn gave us permission to lament, to sit with our grief and name our anger to God. Pathways continued to reflect with art, coaching, and sitting with unanswered questions. A plenary panel showed the impact of engaging with NEXT in ways beyond the National Gathering.
Impact Club members just had a fabulous lunch with Jessica Vazquez Torres & Jen Harvey!
There is still time to join the Impact Club!
Impact Club members make a sustained financial commitment to NEXT Church. If you join before the end of the National Gathering, you can take this mug home with you.
There is still time to join the Impact Club!
Impact Club members make a sustained financial commitment to NEXT Church. If you join before the end of the National Gathering, you can take this mug home with you.
November 13, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Impact Club members just had a fabulous lunch with Jessica Vazquez Torres & Jen Harvey!
There is still time to join the Impact Club!
Impact Club members make a sustained financial commitment to NEXT Church. If you join before the end of the National Gathering, you can take this mug home with you.
There is still time to join the Impact Club!
Impact Club members make a sustained financial commitment to NEXT Church. If you join before the end of the National Gathering, you can take this mug home with you.
More time for exploring murals around Grand Rapids and sparking conversations.
What spark from a conversation today is sticking with you?
What spark from a conversation today is sticking with you?
November 13, 2025 at 12:27 AM
More time for exploring murals around Grand Rapids and sparking conversations.
What spark from a conversation today is sticking with you?
What spark from a conversation today is sticking with you?
Here’s a wrap up of Day 2 of the National Gathering! Julie Delezenne brought us into play during worship! Check out the playful creations!
November 13, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Here’s a wrap up of Day 2 of the National Gathering! Julie Delezenne brought us into play during worship! Check out the playful creations!
National Gathering day 1 is in the books! We had stellar preaching from Shani McIlwain, thought-provoking plenary with Larissa Kwong Abazia, started strong with our pathways, and enjoyed seeing everyone in the gathering place.
November 12, 2025 at 1:17 AM
National Gathering day 1 is in the books! We had stellar preaching from Shani McIlwain, thought-provoking plenary with Larissa Kwong Abazia, started strong with our pathways, and enjoyed seeing everyone in the gathering place.
Join us for worship on the National Gathering livestream today!
Check out the schedule and the feed here --> nextchurch.net/national-gat...
Check out the schedule and the feed here --> nextchurch.net/national-gat...
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Join us for worship on the National Gathering livestream today!
Check out the schedule and the feed here --> nextchurch.net/national-gat...
Check out the schedule and the feed here --> nextchurch.net/national-gat...
We are so grateful to our hosts for this week's National Gathering, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids for their hospitality! May this prayer by Rev. Lynette Sparks bless our time together. We cannot wait to see you!
November 10, 2025 at 6:01 PM
We are so grateful to our hosts for this week's National Gathering, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids for their hospitality! May this prayer by Rev. Lynette Sparks bless our time together. We cannot wait to see you!
🚨 SCHEDULE UPDATE!
We are delighted to announce that Jesy Littlejohn will be preaching at the National Gathering on Thursday this week. You can catch Jesy's sermon on the livestream --> nextchurch.net/national-gat...
We are delighted to announce that Jesy Littlejohn will be preaching at the National Gathering on Thursday this week. You can catch Jesy's sermon on the livestream --> nextchurch.net/national-gat...
November 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
🚨 SCHEDULE UPDATE!
We are delighted to announce that Jesy Littlejohn will be preaching at the National Gathering on Thursday this week. You can catch Jesy's sermon on the livestream --> nextchurch.net/national-gat...
We are delighted to announce that Jesy Littlejohn will be preaching at the National Gathering on Thursday this week. You can catch Jesy's sermon on the livestream --> nextchurch.net/national-gat...
Today's the last day to register for the National Gathering! --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
November 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Today's the last day to register for the National Gathering! --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
The National Gathering is almost here and we could not be more excited! 🥳
Registration closes on Friday. Don't miss out --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
Registration closes on Friday. Don't miss out --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
November 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The National Gathering is almost here and we could not be more excited! 🥳
Registration closes on Friday. Don't miss out --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
Registration closes on Friday. Don't miss out --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
Happy Halloween to all the Rumy's and Jinu's out there! 💜🧡
📸 Show us your best costumes, decorations, and car trunks in the comments!
📸 Show us your best costumes, decorations, and car trunks in the comments!
October 31, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Happy Halloween to all the Rumy's and Jinu's out there! 💜🧡
📸 Show us your best costumes, decorations, and car trunks in the comments!
📸 Show us your best costumes, decorations, and car trunks in the comments!
October 28, 2025 at 3:45 PM
We are looking forward to part two of our Roundtable Conversation in partnership with Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association. Join us!
🗓️ Tuesday, October 28
⏰ 2:00pm EST (11:00am PST)
🗣️ Rev. Alonzo Johnson, leader
Get all the details and register here: bit.ly/roundtable-conversations
🗓️ Tuesday, October 28
⏰ 2:00pm EST (11:00am PST)
🗣️ Rev. Alonzo Johnson, leader
Get all the details and register here: bit.ly/roundtable-conversations
October 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM
We are looking forward to part two of our Roundtable Conversation in partnership with Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association. Join us!
🗓️ Tuesday, October 28
⏰ 2:00pm EST (11:00am PST)
🗣️ Rev. Alonzo Johnson, leader
Get all the details and register here: bit.ly/roundtable-conversations
🗓️ Tuesday, October 28
⏰ 2:00pm EST (11:00am PST)
🗣️ Rev. Alonzo Johnson, leader
Get all the details and register here: bit.ly/roundtable-conversations
🎉 Shout out to these amazing leaders who have been planning, preparing, and meeting behind the scenes to bring you a transformative and sacred experience at the National Gathering.
There is still time to join us. Get yourself registered today --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
There is still time to join us. Get yourself registered today --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
October 23, 2025 at 5:30 PM
🎉 Shout out to these amazing leaders who have been planning, preparing, and meeting behind the scenes to bring you a transformative and sacred experience at the National Gathering.
There is still time to join us. Get yourself registered today --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
There is still time to join us. Get yourself registered today --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
Join us today for the first of two conversations!
Register for the Zoom link here: bit.ly/roundtable-conversations
Register for the Zoom link here: bit.ly/roundtable-conversations
October 21, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Join us today for the first of two conversations!
Register for the Zoom link here: bit.ly/roundtable-conversations
Register for the Zoom link here: bit.ly/roundtable-conversations
🖥️ Half of the internet is down. But you know what's not down? Our registration for the National Gathering!
Turn that unproductive frown upside down and get yourself registered today --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
Turn that unproductive frown upside down and get yourself registered today --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
October 20, 2025 at 5:13 PM
🖥️ Half of the internet is down. But you know what's not down? Our registration for the National Gathering!
Turn that unproductive frown upside down and get yourself registered today --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
Turn that unproductive frown upside down and get yourself registered today --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
We have two amazing Roundtable Conversations coming up in partnership with the Presbyterian Youth Workers Association.
PART ONE
🗓️ Tuesday, October 21
⏰ 2:00pm EST (11:00am PST)
🗣️ Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, leader
PART TWO
🗓️ Tuesday, October 28
⏰ 2:00pm EST (11:00am PST)
🗣️ Rev. Alonzo Johnson, leader
PART ONE
🗓️ Tuesday, October 21
⏰ 2:00pm EST (11:00am PST)
🗣️ Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, leader
PART TWO
🗓️ Tuesday, October 28
⏰ 2:00pm EST (11:00am PST)
🗣️ Rev. Alonzo Johnson, leader
October 17, 2025 at 3:04 PM
We have two amazing Roundtable Conversations coming up in partnership with the Presbyterian Youth Workers Association.
PART ONE
🗓️ Tuesday, October 21
⏰ 2:00pm EST (11:00am PST)
🗣️ Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, leader
PART TWO
🗓️ Tuesday, October 28
⏰ 2:00pm EST (11:00am PST)
🗣️ Rev. Alonzo Johnson, leader
PART ONE
🗓️ Tuesday, October 21
⏰ 2:00pm EST (11:00am PST)
🗣️ Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, leader
PART TWO
🗓️ Tuesday, October 28
⏰ 2:00pm EST (11:00am PST)
🗣️ Rev. Alonzo Johnson, leader
What do you want to pass down to the generations that follow?
October 16, 2025 at 2:30 PM
What do you want to pass down to the generations that follow?
We are less than a month away and we could not be more excited! Prevent your FOMO and get yourself registered!
Register Today --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
Register Today --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
October 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM
We are less than a month away and we could not be more excited! Prevent your FOMO and get yourself registered!
Register Today --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
Register Today --> bit.ly/2025-national-gathering
You weren’t meant to do this alone. Connect with a cohort of preachers who get it — leaders who will challenge, affirm, and sustain you for the long haul. ⭐️
Applications are due tomorrow, October 15 --> bit.ly/nextchurch-agents-of-change
Applications are due tomorrow, October 15 --> bit.ly/nextchurch-agents-of-change
October 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM
You weren’t meant to do this alone. Connect with a cohort of preachers who get it — leaders who will challenge, affirm, and sustain you for the long haul. ⭐️
Applications are due tomorrow, October 15 --> bit.ly/nextchurch-agents-of-change
Applications are due tomorrow, October 15 --> bit.ly/nextchurch-agents-of-change