ABOUT CONNECT NYC
We believe the local church is and should be the vehicle of God's grace to each and every community. Our team is dedicated to helping people make relationships that will build them up, find projects that will allow us to learn and grow in the Lord, and be involved in the community that surrounds us as well as stay active in each others lives. In short, we are church planting in an urban setting to help others experience community through a local church.
We are driven to plant 5 churches in each of the 5 boroughs of New York City.
OUR TEAM
RON & SUSAN TAYLOR
Ron and Susan felt the call to urban church planting during Ron’s sophomore year at Baptist Bible College. After graduating and serving for four years at their sending church, they arrived in New York City in 2008 with a vision to plant 5 churches in each of the 5 boroughs of NYC. God has already used them in four works: two in Brooklyn and two in Queens. Knowing one of God’s greatest tools is the local church, they are excited about the team God has put together to reach the world through New York City.
Email: ron@connectnyc.net I susan@connectnyc.net
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ELVIS & EMILY LEON
Elvis and Emily are a hallmark movie come to life! Elvis is from Brooklyn, but moved to Springfield, Missouri to attend Baptist Bible College. Emily is a small town girl from Missouri. They met serving on the Youth Team in High Street Baptist Church, and the rest is history! Elvis and Emily are driven to see lives transformed by the truth of Jesus Christ.
Elvis and Emily have 3 kids Cora, Cece, and Cato.
Email: elvis@connectnyc.net I emily@connectnyc.net
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Jerra Jividen
Jerra has always had a heart for missions, specifically in the Kids Ministry. In February 2022, Ron and Susan Taylor were part of a mission conference at her church outside of Tampa, Fl.. While Ron was explaining the need for laborers (Matt 9:38), Jerra felt God burdening her heart for NYC. That fall, she had the opportunity to go on a missions trip to New York City to serve with the Connect NYC team. It was during that trip that God confirmed in her heart the call to join the team and use her passion to help their vision of planting 5 churches in each of the 5 boroughs.
Email: Jerra@connectnyc.net
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Gabe and Ally Laidlaw
Gabe and Ally Laidlaw first met while attending Clarks Summit University. It was there that they both felt a clear calling from God to move to New York City and serve in ministry. Gabe is passionate about reaching youth, young adults, and serving in a pastoral role, while Ally brings her heart for children and a gift for administration. Together, they are committed to walking alongside others and helping them grow in their faith.
Email: Ally@connectnyc.net, Gabe@connectnyc.net
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Current 1 Year Interns
Noah and Hope Taylor
Noah and Hope were high school sweethearts. They met through mutual friends and dated long distance for 4 years before getting married while Noah studied Biblical Counseling at Baptist Bible College. During his junior year, Noah was offered a job as the student pastor at Noble Hill Baptist Church, where Noah and Hope both served in the young adults, youth, and children’s ministries. On a missions trip to New York, Noah and Hope felt God confirming a call to plant churches in New York with the Connect NYC team.
Noah and Hope have two children, Everleigh and Emery.
Email: Noah@connectnyc.net
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