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.
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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.


Ron and Susan have two adult children: Noah and Ally. Their son, Noah and his wife Hope are serving the Lord in Springfield, MO while attending Baptist Bible College. They have two children: Everleigh and Emery. Ally is serving the Lord in Pennsylvania at Clarks Summit University. Both Noah and Ally are currently earning their Biblical Counseling degree. Ron and Susan are enjoying the empty nest while savoring any spare time with their kids and grandchildren by sharing a common love for coffee and travel.
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Email: ron@connectnyc.net I susan@connectnyc.net
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Follow the Taylors:
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Birthdays: Ron 4/6 I Susan 3/19 I Noah 8/27 I Ally 4/14
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.
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Elvis and Emily have 3 kids Cora, Cece, and Cato.
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Email: elvis@connectnyc.net I emily@connectnyc.net
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Follow the Leons:
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Birthdays: Elvis 12/17 I Emily 7/25 I Cora 2/13 I Cece 12/25 I Cato 5/4
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.
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Email: Jerra@connectnyc.net
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Follow Jerra:
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Birthday: 6/14
Gabe Laidlaw
Gabe Laidlaw has been involved with ministry since his youth, beginning with helping his local youth group in Michigan. God has given him a passion for building up the next generation of followers of Jesus. Following God's lead, he submitted to an internship with a church in North Western New York. It was there Gabe felt God calling him to New York City. He answered the call to NYC and joined the team in September 2024.​​
Ally Taylor
Ally Taylor grew up in New York City working alongside the ConnectNYC ministry with her family. She has a love for children's ministry, discipling others to bring them closer to God, and helping in any way there is a need. Ally is currently attending Louisiana Baptist University, studying online for her bachelors in Biblical Counseling. Her greatest desire is to see others grow in their relationship with Christ.