NEXT is a 10-minute introduction to Hoboken Grace where you can explore who we are and find out what your next step should be. It takes place after every service on Saturdays and Sundays in our 'Connect Room' on the 1st floor.

To learn more about NEXT, we sat down with Rebecca to hear how it impacted her life and led to some amazing steps!

**What led you to find NEXT after service one day?**

It’s funny, because months previous to attending the service and stopping by NEXT, I had emailed Hoboken Grace a pretty lengthy message with a series of questions about the church, it’s theology, etc etc. At the time, I was “church shopping” as my then boyfriend (now husband) and I felt it was time to make our way back to our faith. I had fired off similar emails to a few different churches in the area. What really struck me was Anthony’s comically short response to my drawn out email. Ha! He explained how he thought that God was giving me “little nudges”, and that I should simply pop by on Sunday and see what they were all about.

**What was your experience at NEXT like?**

At the time, I considered talking to “church people” an intimidating experience, so I was bracing myself for an awkward conversation when I walked in and saw Pastor Anthony sitting there. It was nothing of the sort. It was a quick, disarming conversation, and I left feeling validated. Anthony gave me a really awesome book to take home, and encouraged me to keep coming on Sundays. My husband and I poured over the book together over the next few weeks, and it was an amazing turning point for us.

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**Were your questions and concerns answered?**

Yes! NEXT put me at ease, and it was one tiny step out of my comfort zone. Leaving NEXT, I had a moment of clarity. I realized only God had the answers I was looking for, not people, and so I felt motivated to dive deeper.

**How have you found community or become more connected after NEXT?**

NEXT was really the jump off for me feeling safe and ready to become more involved with Hoboken Grace. Shortly after that, we started attending Sundays regularly. From there, I felt an itch to serve, so I began looking for ways to get involved. Around that same time, I met a friend who invited me to be in their dinner group. Finally, the opportunity to serve on Sundays fell into my lap. Eventually, I stepped into the role of Family Support Leader for the Grace Kids program, and it was a wonderfully fulfilling adventure.

**What would you say to someone who is considering NEXT?**

Just go. No one bites, and we literally pray for you and this moment to happen! I think everyone at Hoboken Grace is genuinely eager and ready to meet you where you’re at. Just be yourself, and give yourself the chance you deserve to deepen (or start) a relationship with Jesus.

*To join us for NEXT, head to the glass Connect Room in our first-floor lobby after any service on Saturdays or Sundays. Just look for the NEXT sign or stop by one of our welcome desks, our team would be happy to point you in the right direction.*


So, what is NEXT?

Sometimes God grows our faith through big moments.

And sometimes, it happens in smaller moments, like showing up, saying yes, and learning to walk out our faith alongside others.

For Matt and Linnea, it began simply by coming to church together. About a year later, they heard a message about moving from being an observer to a participant and they decided to take that step. Right there on their phones, they signed up for a dinner group. After service, they connected with our teams and chose to start serving together in Grace Kids.

They didn’t know it at the time, but those small choices would go on to shape their relationship, their faith, and eventually their family.

Serving together became a turning point. It deepened their walk with God and strengthened their relationship with each other. Sharing a purpose, learning how to support one another, celebrating wins, and growing through challenges side by side created something special. Linnea describes it as rocket fuel for their relationship.

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As their lives unfolded, their “yes” continued, just in new ways. Dating turned into engagement, and engagement into marriage. After their first son was born, Linnea decided to step into leading a dinner group, staying connected to community through a new season of life. Through every chapter, God continued to stretch them, reminding them that faith isn’t static, it grows as we do.

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Now, with two little ones at home, Matt and Linnea have found that walking alongside others who are raising their families with faith at the center has been one of the greatest gifts. So when it came time to bring Axel to Grace Kids, it felt like a natural next step, trusting their son to the same community they had once poured into.

Becoming parents gave them a whole new perspective. Back when they were serving, there were Sundays when they wondered what kids really carried with them into the week. Now they’re seeing the answer firsthand.

Their son comes home singing worship songs. He knows Bible stories. In those moments, Matt and Linnea are reminded that the seeds being planted during Grace Kids are taking root in real life.

And in a beautiful full-circle moment, some of Axel’s teachers are kids Matt and Linnea once served themselves in Grace Kids. Now they’re watching the next generation teach their son about Jesus.

You may not always see the impact right away, but God is always at work, weaving together moments, people, and seasons in ways that last far beyond what we can see.

To watch Matt and Linnea’s story click [here](https://youtu.be/nnCZlfzRlHE).


Full Circle Faith

If you live in Hoboken you know the rhythm.

People are busy, thoughtful and often skeptical. Many are building careers, relationships or raising young families, often carrying more than they let on. I see it in the way people pause before opening the door. In the deep breath they take. In the way they scan the room, just trying to figure out if they can exhale.

Some Sundays, I recognize myself in them.

I remember seasons in my own life when walking into a church felt heavy. When faith felt complicated. When I wasn’t sure what I believed, only that I needed something to be steady. That’s part of why standing at the door matters to me because I know what it feels like to walk in hoping you won’t be judged, fixed or pressured.

Most of the time, the moment is simple. A hello. A smile. Eye contact that lasts just a little longer than usual. I tell people, “You’re genuinely welcome here and there’s no pressure to do anything but be yourself.” And sometimes, almost as an aside, I add, “You can grab donuts too. They’re actually really good.”

It sounds small. It is small. But I’ve watched shoulders drop in that moment. I’ve seen people soften. I’ve seen relief wash over faces that looked tired before they ever stepped inside.

One of the things people love most about Hoboken Grace is the community, and I’ve had a front row seat to what that really looks like.

Late last year, I met a young woman who was visiting for the first time. She was a nurse, coming off long shifts and she arrived quietly, almost apologetically, just trying to make it in the door. I remember thinking how much courage it takes to show up when you’re already exhausted.

Over time, I watched something shift. She kept coming back. She found people who knew her name. She joined a women’s group. She started serving. And not long ago she showed up with a friend.

There was no pressure. No big moment. Just community doing what community does best, creating a place where someone can belong, heal and grow at their own pace.

Because people feel like they belong here.

We don’t do sermons here. We share messages. Conversations meant to meet people where they are, not tell them where they should be. And what I’ve learned is that belonging often comes before believing.

I believe we have a living God who is always moving even when we don’t see it. Especially when we don’t see it. And I believe He often works through moments that don’t look spiritual at all. A calm welcome. A kind word. Someone noticing you before you disappear into the crowd.

When new people join the 1st Impressions team, I tell them I have the easiest role in the church. All you really need to do is smile and help people feel like they belong here. God takes care of the rest.

In a city like Hoboken, where so much of life is measured by performance and appearance, offering a place where people can simply be human matters.

So if you’re new, unsure, skeptical or carrying something heavy, you’re welcome here.

You don’t need answers. You don’t need to rush anything. You don’t need to pretend.

Just come as you are.

And if you ever find yourself wanting to be part of creating that kind of space for someone else, 1st Impressions is a beautiful place to start. It usually begins with a simple moment.


A Welcome Without Pressure

I’ve always been a natural host. Especially for those seeking a new, strong community. Early on in life, I realized that you don’t need the perfect event to pull that off. You just need someone to go first. In college, my dorm room would be the main hub where our friends would watch weekend movies or play quick rounds of Mario Kart between classes. Was my room the cleanest on campus? Not by a longshot. Did my room have anything special that other students didn’t have? Not really. Throw a rock, and you’d find hundreds of other students with a Nintendo Wii or a binder full of DVDs. Nothing about my space was unique at the end of the day. So why was it the spot other students in my orbit gravitated towards? Because I put out the invite that others were hesitant to. 

I’ve learned that creating community usually starts with someone opening the door first. Fast forward to my apartment in Jersey City Heights. It was around the holiday marathon season. You know the time I’m talking about. Halloween happens, and then you blink and it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years in what feels like one very long week of one event after another. My roommates and I had zero intention on hosting a Halloween party, a friendsgiving, or a New Years Eve party that year, but even still, we received text after text of friends asking us “are you guys doing anything for New Years?” or “do you know of any parties happening?” We did not know of anything that year, and it felt like nobody else did either. So, we stepped up and hosted ourselves!

We went from a Barbie and Ken themed Halloween party with everyone dressed in pink, to Friendsgiving where everyone wore sweaters, slacks and brought their own delicious dishes, to New Years Eve where we decided it was going to be a low-key night where people are encouraged to wear pajamas and bring blankets. Three different events, all looked totally different from the last. 

Reflecting on that season brought back memories to me in college hosting little get-togethers in my dorm room. Even as guys in our 30’s, the apartment we lived in was nothing special. We had a banister held together with duct tape, and even ran out of metal forks so we had to run out and buy plastic ones at the corner store. Did anyone care? Not even a little. People just wanted a warm, invited space to connect and have fun. 

Connection Events are a perfect example of that truth. Countless times, events that were supposed to be outdoors, but got rained out, still saw large numbers of people show up when we had to pivot to an indoor location. 

I’ll never forget a Coffee Crawl we were on the verge of canceling because of the weather. Instead of just outright calling it off, we decided to host it in a different coffee shop with a larger space and if people still wanted to come hangout they could. That event saw around 30-35 people attend. Some of which were brand new folks that still serve on teams to this day. It didn’t matter what the event was, but what did matter was the space we created for people to gather. 

I encounter people on a daily basis who tell me they’re craving community, or looking for a circle of closer friends, and my advice to them is sometimes uncomfortable to hear. “Well, what are you doing to create that community for yourself?” Being invited into someone’s group or someone’s event is a great feeling I’m sure we all love. But you know what’s even better? Being the one to create the space people can find a home in. Even if you just text three friends and invite them over, that can make a huge difference for everyone.

You don’t need the biggest living room, the most comfortable furniture or the clearest TV. Some of my most memorable moments with friends have been sitting on the ground, eating pizza, and playing Catan. Okay, that might not be for everyone, but you could also host a simple dinner party with a couple friends if you’re looking to make those connections or text a small group you’ve been dying to get to know better to get coffee on a Saturday morning. Maybe that looks like hosting a dinner group at your home. 

If you take anything from this, here it is. You don’t need perfection to create space for community. You just need an open heart and a willingness to let people in. Take a look at your own life and ask “who could I invite over for a game night this weekend?” or “who can I take a walk along the waterfront with tomorrow morning?” More people than you think are searching for community. Be that for them, and in return, you’ll create your own community.


Create the Space

My wife and I purchased our first home in the Spring of 2024.  It was been something we have been preparing for for several years up to that point.  Our goal was always to find a good home in a good neighborhood where our kids could flourish. As we settled in, God laid it on my wife’s heart to open our space more, especially to those in our church.   

My wife suggested that we open our home to host and lead a dinner group to welcome and bless other people.  My immediate response was that I didn’t think we were ready.  Or at least I didn’t feel ready.  I was concerned about the commitment and some other matters.  Despite these reservations, and after prayer and discussion with others, we finally decided to take the step to lead and host a couples dinner group starting in September 2025.  Below is a summary of my experience that I hope you find helpful and encouraging:

**We have made the group into our own**

My wife and I had been in several dinner groups before, as well as some small groups at another church prior to joining Hoboken Grace.  We took the best of our collective experiences to shape our dinner group.  While we followed the guidance of the church, we also really made it our own.  The structure we have been using is to start with a song that includes the children, then open in prayer, then read a portion of scripture, then dive into the discussion questions, and then finally close in prayer.  And within this structure, we devote a good portion to scripture reading, some questions, and prayer time, where we collect prayer requests and praises and pray during the group.  Our connection has been rooted in these activities, along with the occasional Trader Joe’s snack!   

**We are a diverse group and that is a good thing**

Years ago, I thought a good small group was one where everyone was of similar age, profession, and overall stage in life.  I was a part of many groups over the years, but the one that was most meaningful to me was a small group at my old church that was really the opposite of my “ideal” group – and it was wonderful.  Fast forward to this dinner group – we are diverse in age, cultural backgrounds, professions, and some of us have kids (one married couple has a baby and another married couple has adult children).  And again, it is wonderful.  Why?  Because I find it edifying to be around fellow Christians who have gone ahead of us and to also support younger couples.  There is wisdom to be both gained and given.   

Ultimately, God sees and loves the diverse body. Revelation 7:9 says: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

**Most importantly, we are living out Psalm 40, together**

Psalm 40:1-3, of David, says: 

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.”  

There are several people in our group, myself included, who are going through trials of many kinds in this season of life.  We are in the king’s pit so to speak.  We are crying out to God and imploring God for rescue.  We are waiting patiently on God (on the good days, at least) to bring us out of our troubles into safety.  We yearn for when God will give us a new song to sing.  And finally, we eagerly anticipate when we can share our story with others so that they see His goodness and trust in Him themselves.  

It would be understandable, that since this is a new group, to be hesitant in sharing the things that bring us to our knees, and instead share “safer” prayer requests about a friend or family member (which of course is fine by the way!).  However, verse 3 is a wonderful forward looking statement: “many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.”  The deeper the pit we find ourselves in can and will lead to a more powerful story of rescue that we can later share.  God will use our pain and suffering to positively shape a Christian’s faith and also the faith of those who do not yet know Him.  This is amazing to me.  

This dinner group is showing me that we can and should live out our faith together, especially during the dry, painful seasons of life.  We can and should be open and vulnerable in our groups because we are not there solely for ourselves, but for the benefit of others.  And finally, we can and should patiently wait on God together, who will deliver us and give us a new song, a wonderful song to share.  I look forward to this day. 


What Hosting a Dinner Group Taught Me About Faith

As we step into a new year, many of us feel the desire to slow down, reflect, and be more intentional about where we’re headed. One helpful resource we offer at Hoboken Grace is our Life Plan. It helps you identify what’s most important and build a practical path toward becoming who God created you to be. 

At Hoboken Grace, we believe that becoming more like Him doesn’t happen by accident. It grows through rhythms: small, daily practices that draw us back to God’s presence and help us build the kind of life we were created for.

By slowing down long enough to assess where we are and where God is leading, we give ourselves the space to grow with purpose.

A Life Plan is not about perfection, it’s about direction. It helps you build a life rooted in purpose, guided by Scripture, and shaped by intentional practices. As you enter a new year, this resource can help you step forward with clarity, confidence, and a clearer sense of purpose.

### What Is Life Planning?

Life planning is more than setting goals. It’s an intentional rhythm of stepping back, paying attention to your life, and partnering with God to become the person He created you to be. It’s about identifying what truly matters, clarifying a vision for who you want to become, and taking small, trackable steps forward. 

This guide walks you through that journey—taking time to reflect, pray, plan, and map out personal action steps for the year ahead.

Think of this as a personal planning retreat. We encourage you to set aside a full day with your Bible, this guide, and a notebook. Give yourself space to think deeply, dream boldly, and listen intentionally.

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As you take time to slow down and plan with intention, our hope is that this resource helps you recognize where He’s leading and take faithful steps forward. We can’t wait to see all that God does through this in the year ahead.


Start the New Year with Intention: A Simple Guide to Life Planning

A Diverse, Growing, Contemporary, Community Church in Hoboken

Everything we do revolves around our mission of helping people find their way back to God. Our goal is to demonstrate who God really is and to let others know that God wants a relationship with each and every one of us.

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