Our Mission is the Great Commission.

Jesus came to (his disciples) and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” —Matthew 28:18-20

Lasting commitments to Jesus, one step at a time.

Founded in 1971, Step Up to Life is a global missions organization committed to equipping people to confidently carry the Great Commission forward and guide others toward saving faith in Jesus. We’re based in Omaha, Nebraska and have champions dispersed throughout the world.

Meet the Step Up to Life Team

Lincoln Murdoch

Lincoln Murdoch is a fourth generation pastor who has dedicated his life to mobilizing the local church in fulfillment of the Great Commission. He’s passionate about seeing Jesus lifted up and worshipped everywhere, particularly among the unreached people groups of the world. Lincoln has taught in more than 40 countries, drawing upon his experience as a decorated triathlete to engage audience members and invite them to self-assess their spiritual condition through the five steps that lead to lasting conversions to follow Jesus. Today, Lincoln leads a team of over 30 international champions throughout Latin America, Africa, and Asia who are committed to taking the Gospel message to every corner of the Earth.

    • Youth Pastor

      • 1982 - 1990 at Trinity Church (Omaha, Nebraska, USA)

    • Missions Pastor

      • 1990 - 2000 at Trinity Church (Omaha, Nebraska, USA)

    • President, Antioch Network

      • 2000 - 2007 (Phoenix, AZ)

    • Church Planter & Lead Pastor

      • 2004 - 2007 at All Nations Church (Phoenix, AZ, USA)

      • 2008 - 2014 at All Nations Church (Omaha, NE, USA)

    • Executive Director

      • 2014 - present at Step Up to Life (based in Omaha, NE, USA)

    • Launching the Great Go-Mission(book and resource manual)

      • A resource designed to guide local churches as they recruit, train, and send their congregants on short term mission trips with a strong discipleship focus throughout the process.

    • See You at the Finish

      • A book which outlines eight principles of spiritual endurance based on completing at the World Championship Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon. Click here to order a copy!

    • B.S. in Social Work, Asbury College

    • Masters of Divinity, Asbury Theological Seminary

    • Founder of the P.A.N. Network (a network of churches, missions organizations and individuals who have focused on one particular unreached people group in Central Asia)

    • Founder of The International Christian Triathlon Network (a group of amateur and professional triathletes)

    • Finished three 140 mile Ironman triathlons (including the Hawaiian Ironman, recognized as the toughest single day endurance race in the world)

    • Finished two ultra-marathon 50 mile running races

    • Recognized as a 16-time USA Triathlon All-American

    • First-place overall in 41 triathlons

    • Qualified for Triathlon Team USA five times and raced for the USA in Germany, Australia, and London

      • Finished 6th in the world

      • Finished 1st for all USA athletes in his age group

    • Three-time USAT Regional Champion 

    • Three-time National Champion in Triathlon/Duathlon

Nick Bank, D.Min.

With over 20 years of experience preaching and teaching the Bible, Dr. Nick Bank is passionate about introducing people to Jesus and helping them understand how biblical truths apply to their everyday lives. When he’s not behind the pulpit, Nick spends his time encouraging, counseling, and training up church and ministry leaders to walk as more confident and competent ministers of the Word of God. 

Nick especially loves to teach about church history and discuss cultural objections to the Bible. He holds a D.Min. in Advanced Biblical Preaching from the Talbot School of Theology, and has done extensive study and research on pastoral longevity, emotional health, and maximizing effective communication. Nick is eager to use his extensive ministry experience and education to help ministry leaders realize their full potential.

    • Adjunct Instructor

      • 2024 - present at Omaha School of Ministry (Omaha, NE, USA)

    • Assistant Director

      • 2022 - present at Step Up to Life (based in Omaha, NE, USA)

    • Lead Pastor

      • 2016- 2022 at PassageWay Church (Blair, NE, USA)

    • Associate Pastor for Preaching & Teaching

      • 2010 - 2016 at Reach Church NE (Blair & Bennington, NE, USA)

    • Student Ministries Pastor

      • 2007 - 2010 at Reach Church NE (Blair, Nebraska, USA)

    • Youth Pastor & Worship Leader

      • 2003 - 2006 at Heartland Church (Omaha, Nebraska, USA)

    • Down Like Jesus - A Roadmap for Navigating Ministerial Sorrow (in process)

      • When this project is completed it will be a valuable resource for pastors and ministry leaders to navigate the emotional and circumstantial obstacles that cause many to fail or flee the ministry altogether.

    • The All-Knowing God - A Defense of God’s Limitless Omniscience

    • B.A. in Pastoral Ministry, Grace University

    • Th.M. in Philosophy & Theological Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

    • D.Min in Advanced Biblical Preaching/Homiletics, Biola University Talbot School of Theology

    • Evangelical Training Association Graduate Teacher 

      • Dallas Theological Seminary

      • Issued August 2014

    • Prepare & Enrich Premarital & Marital Counseling

      • Dallas Theological Seminary

      • Issued January 2013

    • Professional working proficiency in biblical Hebrew & Koine Greek

    • Rec+ Bennington Baseball Coach 2025

    • 10U Bennington Baseball Coach 2024

    • Student Body Class President - Grace University 2001-2002

    • Sophomore class president - Grace University 2000-2001

    • Freshman class president - Grace University 1999-2000

    • Founder and manager of ‘fROMdUST’ music evangelism group 1997-2014

    • Campus Life Coach for Millard West High School 2001-2002

    • Student leader for CRU 1995-1999

Board of Directors

  • JULIE SCHENZEL BOWES

    Board Chairwoman
    Marketing Director, The Garden

  • CHERYL PENNER

    Ministry Office Administrator,
    PassageWay Church

  • RAY DOTZLER

    President, Dotzler Creative Arts

  • JAISON SAMUEL

    CEO, eCubed Enterprise

  • BRANDON KINNIE

    Owner, Alliance Sports Training & Faith Jump™️

  • DAN WARNOCK

    President, Vanguard Cleaning Systems of Iowa

A Little History

In February 1957, Pastor Elmer Murdoch preached a sermon entitled, “Steps Leading to Salvation” and distributed his notes to the congregation.

Although he didn’t know it at the time, this sermon became the seed for the evangelistic booklet, Step Up to Life.

Beginning with the first edition in 1971, it has been translated into 80 languages and specialty versions.

Today, there are over . . .

  • 15 million copies

  • in 75 countries

  • on 4 continents

Step Up to Life is committed to equipping everyday people confidently share the Gospel. Our vision is for individuals and ministries on every continent to be equipped with the five-step Gospel framework and positioned to introduce people to Jesus Christ.

This is the late Pastor Elmer Murdoch and his wife, Nancy.

Learn more about the global ministry of Step Up to Life.

Want to find out more?