Astoria, Queens · New York City

Connecting People
to Jesus &
One Another

Since 2011, Connection Church NYC has been rooted in Astoria, Queens — building faith, community, and mission in the heart of New York City.

Join Us at Queens Church Our Story
Astoria, Queens · 40.7723° N / 73.9323° W
⚡ Important Update — 2024

A New Chapter for
Connection Church NYC

In 2011, the McGhees and Mayberrys moved to Astoria, Queens to start Connection Church NYC with a desire to see people come to faith in Jesus and establish a healthy community.

In 2019, Connection Church sent out the Mayberrys and other families to Woodside, Queens to start Queens Church with a similar mission. And now, in 2024, Connection Church NYC is officially joining with Queens Church.

While this is the end of a season called Connection Church NYC, it is not the end of the movement and mission of its people.

We are profoundly grateful that the legacy and ministry of Connection Church continues through Queens Church and through all of those who have spread out around the world — and continue connecting people to Jesus and one another. If you feel like you’ve missed us, we welcome you to join us at Queens Church on Sundays at 10am or noon!

Who We Are

A Church
for the City

Connection Church NYC was born out of a simple desire: to see real people in New York City come to genuine faith in Jesus and experience authentic, life-giving community. We planted ourselves in Astoria — one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the world — and built something lasting.

2011Founded
13+Years of Ministry
AstoriaQueens, NYC
GlobalReach & Impact
Map of Astoria, Queens
What We Believe

Built on Three
Convictions

✝️

Faith in Jesus

Everything we do flows from the conviction that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Our mission is to help people encounter Him in real and transforming ways.

🤝

Genuine Community

We believe faith was never meant to be lived alone. We invest deeply in relationships that go beyond Sunday — through shared meals, honest conversation, and showing up for one another.

🌍

Local & Global Mission

Astoria gave us a world in one neighborhood. We’ve always served our city block by block, while sending people and resources around the globe to share the love of Jesus.

Our Story

A Movement
Thirteen Years in the Making

2011

The Beginning in Astoria

The McGhee and Mayberry families moved to Astoria, Queens with a singular vision: to plant Connection Church NYC where people could come to faith in Jesus and build authentic community — in one of NYC’s most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods.

2011 – 2019

Thirteen Years of Ministry

Through community events, summer intern programs, church partnerships, and years of faithful neighborhood presence, Connection Church NYC wove itself into the fabric of Astoria. Hundreds of people experienced faith, friendship, and belonging.

2019

Sending Out Queens Church

In a powerful act of missional generosity, the Mayberry family and several other Connection Church NYC families were sent to Woodside, Queens to plant Queens Church — carrying the same DNA and mission into a new neighborhood.

2024

Joining with Queens Church

Connection Church NYC officially merged with Queens Church, marking the end of one chapter and the beautiful continuation of its legacy. The mission goes on through every person who carries the heartbeat of Connection Church NYC into whatever comes next.

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Sermons, updates, and community — find us on your favorite platform.

The Mission Continues

Find Us at
Queens Church

Connection Church NYC’s legacy lives on at Queens Church in Woodside, Queens. Same mission, same heart — a new name. Whether you’re a long-time Connection family or brand new, there is a seat for you.

2019Launched
WoodsideQueens, NYC
🕚
Sunday Morning10:00 AM · Woodside, Queens
🕜
Sunday Afternoon12:00 PM · Woodside, Queens
Queens Church
Woodside, Queens · New York City
31-19 56th Street, Queens, NY 11377

Born from Connection Church NYC, Queens Church carries the same DNA into a new neighborhood — connecting people to Christ, to the Church, and to each other.

We welcome you to join us. You belong here.

Visit Queens Church →
Church Partners

We Didn’t Do This Alone

From the beginning, Connection Church NYC was built on partnership — supported by a network of churches who sent people, finances, and prayer so that Queens could hear the Gospel.

Redeemer City to City

Redeemer NYC’s church planting network provided early support and resources for Connection Church NYC’s launch and growth in Astoria.

Texas Baptists (MAP)

The Missionary Adoption Program partnered Texas Baptist churches with Connection Church NYC and Queens Church — providing financial support, volunteer teams, and ongoing prayer.

Coastal Bend Fellowship

This Kingsville, TX church adopted the Mayberry family through MAP, sending volunteer teams to Queens and building a genuine two-way partnership that advanced the Kingdom on both ends.

Leadership

The People Behind
the Mission

DK
Pastor Daniel & Kari McGhee
Founding Lead Pastors · Connection Church NYC

Daniel and Kari moved to Astoria in 2011 to plant Connection Church NYC and led it for over a decade. They are now serving with International Students, Inc. (ISI) — Daniel as NYC Area Director and Kari as NYC Hospitality Ministry Coordinator & Campus Staff — reaching international students on campuses across New York City and Long Island.

Learn about their ISI ministry →
LM
Larry & Lindsey Mayberry
Co-Founders · Lead Pastor, Queens Church

The Mayberrys were present from Connection Church NYC’s founding. In 2019, they were sent out to plant Queens Church in Woodside — answering a clear call to a neighborhood with few Gospel-centered churches. Queens Church continues to grow and baptize new disciples in NYC under their leadership.

Interested in Pastor Daniel & Kari’s new ministry with ISI?
They would love to share about their work with international students across NYC and Long Island. Reach out through Queens Church or visit their ISI profile to connect.

Visit Their ISI Page → Support ISI Ministry
What’s Next

The McGhees &
International Students, Inc.

After over a decade planting and leading Connection Church NYC, Daniel and Kari McGhee have stepped into new roles with International Students, Inc. (ISI) — a national ministry dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus with international students studying in the United States.

New York City is home to one of the largest concentrations of international students in the world. Daniel and Kari are now investing their lives into this extraordinary mission field right in their own city — on university and college campuses across NYC and Long Island.

They remain members of Queens Church, staying rooted in the community they helped build — while extending their reach to students from every corner of the globe.

Their ISI Profile → Support Their Work
Daniel McGhee
NYC Area Director

Overseeing ISI’s ministry presence across New York City and Long Island — equipping volunteers, building campus relationships, and expanding international student outreach.

Kari McGhee
NYC Hospitality Ministry Coordinator & Campus Staff

Coordinating hospitality ministry — welcoming international students into homes, relationships, and community — while serving directly on campus in Astoria, NY.

“Do you want to play a big part in transforming the lives of international students?”
Become a Volunteer at ISI →
With Heartfelt Thanks
“We have loved sharing in so many fun activities and events over the years with you and your families.”

To our Astoria community who welcomed us thirteen years ago — thank you. To our church partners who equipped and supported us — thank you. To the interns who gave their summers to serve alongside us — thank you. To everyone who prayed for and supported Connection Church NYC over the years — we love all of you.

Connection Church NYC may be closing a chapter, but the people, the stories, and the seeds planted across Queens, New York City, and around the world continue to grow. This is not an ending — it is a sending.


Join Us at Queens Church