Dear Friends,
It was in college that I reconnected with my faith. I was searching for meaning and purpose (it was the quintessential, “What am I going to do with the rest of my life?” moment that many young 20 somethings go through.) It was during that time someone talked to me about Christ and pointed me toward what it might mean to live my life for a purpose higher than just my own personal gain. So it was on a Tuesday afternoon, in late October, in my dorm room at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, that I asked Jesus into my life.
Now the ground didn’t shake.
The ceiling didn’t open.
I didn’t hear any voices.
But my life was different from that moment on.
When I look back on that time in my life, what I now realize is that it wasn’t that prayer that made the real difference in my young faith. What helped me grow was the invitation to be a part of a small group study. Someone lead me to pray that prayer on Tuesday afternoon and then had the wisdom to invite me to join a circle of other young men trying to answer the same questions I was trying to answer. That small group made my faith real. That small group gave me new friends to walk with on this new journey.
Without that group, I would have prayed that prayer and that probably would have been the end of it. The seed of faith planted within me might not have taken root if I wasn’t able to explore, question, and discuss my faith with others. We laughed and listened, encouraged and prayed for each other. I believe the path toward the life I am living today was set in motion in those few months spent with that small group of other people looking to understand and grow in their faith.
I learned a valuable lesson that year. Faith is not something you do by yourself—it is something we do together.
As your pastor and friend, there is nothing more that I want than for you to grow in your faith and the best way that I know how to do that is to do so in community, the company of others.
Today is your day to sign up for our Fall Grow Groups—a 6-week small group journey where you can grow in your faith and connect with the people of your church. There are a lot of different topics. They are happening at a lot of different times. After worship today, Pastor Myra and the leaders of the groups will be there to help you sign up.
Looking forward to being on this journey together!
Grace and Peace,
