Wondering why you should get connected to a small group?

Here is the story of one couple’s experience getting connected to a small group and the impact it has made on their lives.

We both grew up in church and after we were married and had children, we knew it was important to get into a local church. We got involved before our oldest was born and were heavily involved for the next twenty-two years. By the time our daughters got into college, we were looking for a new place to worship. We visited several churches and, after two months, we both felt that the Lord was telling us that West Ridge was the place we should be. We started in at West Ridge in June of 2012 and in the Discover West Ridge Membership Class we followed the advice Brian gave to get involved.

The month after we started attending, the first outreach project rolled around – Community Makeover. We were overwhelmed with the multitude of choices available and decided on the work at Compton Elementary.

God placed us at Compton for a reason – we worked alongside strangers who, over the two days, talked to us about their experiences with Journey Groups and West Ridge and opportunities for involvement like Hope for Christmas.

The next month, we went to Grouplink on a Sunday afternoon and talked with several folks about what kind of group we wanted – people of similar ages and the same stage of life (kids, but out of the house or almost out) with which we could share our journey. We found three that we liked the looks of from the meet-and-greet and planned to visit each of them. We went to the first one, led by George and Tara Sargent, and never made it to the other two.

From day one, we’ve felt comfortable with the other couples. Over the year we’ve shared Bible studies, gone to dinner together, gathered for fellowships, and participated in service projects. Just next week, we’re going to be preparing sandwiches for the Cobb County lunch program. I never would have believed that we’d look forward to going somewhere for church on another night of the week (Monday), but we do. We’ve made friends. And found another place to serve. Being involved in a Journey Group allows us to feel connected in a way that we couldn’t in worship.

Making sandwiches for a local outreach project to provide lunch for kids in our community.

Comments