Pastor Trenton Cruse has been involved in ministry for over 25 years. During that time there has been a lot of preparation to get him to where he’s at now. He personally believes we should always be striving to do better, and if we ever feel like we have reached a point where we can’t learn anymore, then it’s time to get back to basics; because there is always something to learn.
  He has been married to his wife Ashley for 20 years, and they have two children: Jazmin (15) and Jesiah (9).
  Over the course of his ministry he has served as an Associate Pastor in two different churches, preached in several revivals, served in youth ministry, worked with preteens, recorded Contemporary Christian and Christian Hip Hop music, and has been actively involved in other ministries to help God’s purpose go forth  and see lives changed.
  He has a Master of Christian Studies and Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Union University in Jackson, TN; and an Associate of Arts in General Studies from Shawnee Community College in Ullin, IL.
  In early 2012, God gave him a vision for a church that simply started as a drawing. He moved to Jackson, TN on August 10, 2012 to finish his degree at Union University, and lived there until October 28, 2016. After completing his degrees, he and his family felt it was time to move to Jackson, MO and begin preparation for the church God had given him to plant. Trenton’s vision has been a long time in the making, and we are excited to see what God is going to do through Next Level Freedom Church not only in Jackson, MO; but around the world.​

Lead Pastor - Trenton Cruse

Pastor Bret Hileman has been involved in ministry for over 24 years. Over the course of that time, Bret has served in various positions in the Body of Christ. Early on in his ministry he felt the call to preach, which led him to a position as a youth pastor. He has been involved in youth rallies and a Christian Hip Hop group. After serving as youth pastor, Bret was ordained as an Associate Pastor in 2012 at Covenant Life Church, where he served faithfully until he felt the call to help Pastor Trenton Cruse fulfill the vision of Next Level Freedom Church.
  Currently Bret is serving as Associate Pastor in the church by preaching and teaching the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Bret has been married to his wife Affton Hileman for 19 years and they have two wonderful daughters; Tayla (14) and Ella (8).
  Bret's hope for the future is to truly see the body of Christ go to the next level with God. He hopes to help people realize that a relationship with Jesus is the only way to truly be free.
  With a willing heart and an eagerness to serve; Bret looks forward to seeing what God has planned for him here at Next Level Freedom Church.

Associate Pastor - Bret Hileman

Pastor David W. Newell has served in various church roles since the 1990s; including as a pastor, teacher, counselor, advisor, and deacon in different cities and states. Professionally, he is an attorney who practices in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. He tries to serve as a Christian example in all his life, whether at home, church, community, or region.
  He has been married to his wife Julie for 16 years, and has a daughter named Sophia (9).
  He has a bachelor degree and a law degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL and a Master of Theological Studies from Evangel University in Springfield, MO.
  Currently, he is serving as the Connection Pastor at Next Level Freedom Church, where he is committed to connecting believers and the community into the next move of God. He believes in earnest commitment to prayer, a longing for revival, and a desire to disciple others into the ways of God so all will go to the next level in God's presence.

Connection Pastor - David Newell

Youth Pastor - Zach David

Pastor​ Zachary David has been involved in this ministry for nearly 3 years. As a teenager and young adult he battled drug addictions and his own mistakes, but he is an overcomer in the mighty name of Jesus. He gave his life to the Lord as a young teen, but fell away for a time. He recommitted his life to the Lord in 2017 and was baptized in 2019. Zach started attending Next Level Freedom Church in 2021 and in June of 2022 he felt God calling him to youth ministry.
  He has been married to his wife Samantha for 7 years. They have 6 children all together. Shayden (16), Ben (16), Nikolle (15), Rayah (14), Brooklyn (13), and Silas (12).
  He is currently enrolled in Next Level University, in October 2024 he finished up the 2 year program. He plans to complete the 3yr program in 2025.
  Zach feels there is a great call on this church and youth group, and is ready to keep moving to the Next Level with God.

OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

What We Believe

·         In essential beliefs – we have unity.

“There is one Body and one Spirit…there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all…” Eph. 4:4-6

·         In non-essential beliefs – we have liberty.

“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgement on disputable matters… Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls… So then each of us will give an account of himself to God… So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”  Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22

·         In all our beliefs – we show charity.

“…If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains – but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.”  1 Cor. 13:2 (Ph)

THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE:

We believe…

…in one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19;

Luke 1:35

…that our Lord Jesus Christ was begotten, not created, came to the earth 100% God and 100% man. He is God the Son, second person in the trinity. He was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died a vicarious and atoning death for the sins of the world, resurrected bodily for our justification, and now reigns in glory until all things be put under His feet.

1 Timothy 3:16; John 1:1,14, 20:28; Isiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5-8; 1 Timothy 2:5

…in the absolute inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, the Bible is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible and inerrant. Furthermore, we believe that the church has no authority to establish doctrine or practice contrary to these same Scriptures, which were subsequently accepted as canon by the early Christian church.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Romans 16:25-26

…the man was made in the image of God and is the crown of creation. He is now, by reason of the fall, spiritually depraved and alienated from his Creator. Apart from God’s grace he has no ability to attain to his high calling.

Psalm 8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Genesis 1:26-31; Romans 5:12-21

…that justification is by grace through faith in our Lord’s sacrifice on Calvary.

Romans 3: 21-24

…that all God’s people are to be buried with Christ in the waters of baptism, subsequent to conversion. While we freely embrace those of contrary opinion, we feel that this rite is scripturally administered “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4

…in a unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross.

Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

…that the Holy Spirit indwells all believers conforming them to the image of Jesus Christ. We believe that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is an endowment of power subsequent to conversion, given by God to anoint the believer for sanctification and evangelism, and is evidenced by speaking in tongues.

Acts 2, 8, 10, 19

…it is our understanding that the supernatural charismas of the Holy Spirit are active within the body of Christ until the coming of the Lord. We further believe in the development of these charismatic gifts ought to be encouraged under the guidance of the local church authorities.

1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 8:16-17; Joel 2:28-29; Mark 16:17; Acts 10:44-47, 19:1-6

…in the Holy Christian Church, imperfectly represented on earth by the various Christian institutions. Her unity is spiritual, her culture diverse and transitional, and her mission eternal.

1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12; Ephesians 2:19

…that the callings of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher are functional within the Body of Christ until the Lord’s return. Furthermore, these ministries are gifts to the church for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of ministry, that the Body of Christ be edified.

Ephesians 4:11-13

…the identity of the Body of Christ on earth is primarily perceived through the local church. While encouraging the voluntary association of local churches, and recognizing the need of consensus on matters of fundamental doctrine and conduct, we strongly confess the local church to be sovereign and autonomous.

Revelation 2-3

…in the right of local churches and ministries to form temporal institutions to assist them in carrying out the work of God. At the same time, we reject sectarianism and divisiveness as great evils.

Mark 9:38-41

…in the priesthood of the Believer. That is to say all people born of God have equal status before, and direct access to, their Lord.

1 Peter 2:5

…in the spiritual unity of all who are born of God. We confess even those with whom we disagree, those who do not confess us, and others who we exclude because of our unwillful ignorance.

1 Corinthians 12:12-14

…that God has designed marriage to be a covenant contract between one man and one woman, surrendering a life-long commitment to one another. Any sexual activity or behavior outside of this commitment of marriage is sin.

Ephesians 5:25-31; Genesis 2:21-24; Mark 10:5-9

…that those who are called by the name of Christ should depart from iniquity. Understanding that salvation from the penalty of sin only begins the process of redemption, we acknowledge that the work of the Holy Spirit is to create in us the character of Christ.

2 Timothy 2:19

…in the literal second coming of our Lord, the literal rule of Christ upon the earth, the resurrection of the regenerate to eternal life and the unregenerate to eternal damnation, and the ultimate victory of the eternal Kingdom of God.

Acts 1:9-11; Daniel 12:2; Revelation 22:1-7