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To shine a light into the world...
Small groups are the way that the body of Christ takes action. A Christian may act alone, but the Church requires two or more gathered together in His name, (Matthew 18:20), joining together in community with the purposes of becoming more like Christ and sharing His love with our world.
Everything that gets done at Haven requires a small group, taking action. The small group setting is a beautiful way to experience the love of God, as well as to share it with others.
There are many opportunities to participate in small groups at Haven. We encourage all members to participate in a small group that attracts their interest. We have groups that facilitate worship, focus on prayer, engage in discipleship of others or themselves, participate in service and in evangelism. In addition, we always encourage members to begin a new small group if they are unable to find one already doing what they believe needs to be done to shine God's glory on the world.
How do I join an existing small group?
First, ask yourself what type of activity you want to be involved in...
Worship - whether it be a Praise Team, Decorations, or Nursery, there are many roles that need to be filled in order that worship continues to be a God-glorifying activity at Haven. If you want to participate in one of these small groups, contact the Worship Director.
Prayer - there are many opportunities to join small groups in prayer. Contact the Prayer Coordinator for more information.
Discipleship of others - from Children in Worship through Mosaic, small groups work together to lead, support, and mentor our youth programs. Contact the leader of the specific program that interests you for more information.
Discipleship - there are many opportunities to participate in small groups that study scriptures or inspirational books.
Evangelism - Haven's evangelism committee oversees many activities on a local level, as well as participating regularly with other Zeeland churches for prayer and planning. Contact the Director of Evangelism if you are interested in joining them.
There is also great opportunity for expanding Haven's current small group offerings in this area. Any group focused on a shared interest can provide opportunity for developing relationships with both your fellow Christians and with the unchurched. In other areas this has involved groups focusing on hunting and fishing, on problems with addiction, on financial planning for retirement.....the possibilities are nearly infinite. If you have a passion for an issue and would be interested in growing a group, please get in touch with the Small Groups Leader.
Service - there is no time in your life that you will be closer to God than when you are engaged in doing something for someone else with no expectation of self-benefit. In addition to small groups specifically engaged in service, we encourage all small groups to include an element of service in their regular activities.
Service small groups already in place include....
Casseroles, cleaning, and compassion - Join the Caregivers if you feel a desire
to help others in their times of need. Contact our Caregiver Leader for more information.
Good men, good with hammers - small local service projects that need both people who know which end of a screwdriver to hold on to and people with professional skills. If you want to help, contact our Small Groups Leader.
Kid's Hope - Haven teams with New Groningen School to provide mentoring for at risk students. Contact our Kid's Hope Director for further information.
Special Needs ministry - service focused on families with special needs children. Contact the Special Needs Coordinator for more information.
More, more, and more - there is no limit to those who need. If there is an issue which makes you want to act, let us help you take action.
What if I am looking for something else?
If you are looking for something to do or someone to do it with, join us every Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 8:30 at Cafe58 for Conversations. It's an informal, agenda-free opportunity to get to know others who are looking for something to do or someone to do it with. Explore shared interests. Discuss community needs. Tell people what you are looking for, listen to what they seek. Consider it an birthing room for new small groups.
More questions?
If you would like to get involved in small groups at Haven contact our
Small Group Leader, Dick Rietema at 772-6116.
Sincerely reflecting Jesus' love to people the Holy Spirit brings into our lives is the real reason we are here.
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