Connecting Through Small Groups

When John and Mandi came to Maryland, they didn't know what to expect. Newly married, they left their families and life in Pennsylvania behind to follow a job opportunity in Baltimore. For the first several months, they often contemplated moving back home. They didn't know many people they connected with, and felt like a big part of life was missing. As the year progressed, they began to ask themselves, "What are we doing here?"

Have you ever felt this way? It seems like one of the most important things in life is also one of the most difficult to find: deep, honest friendship. For John and Mandi, their experience changed when they began to attend a small group of other young married couples. As their relationships with others in the group grew, they started to think of Baltimore as "home." And, they began to find their relationship with God deepening as the group studied the Bible and they learned to live out their faith in an authentic way.

In a large church like Central, it is easy to get lost in the crowd and wonder where to plug in. It's easy to hear the sermons every week, but still wonder what it means for you. One of the ways we at Central want to help people find meaningful relationships is by developing small groups of people who can regularly get together and share life and faith. In a small group, you can make real friends, enjoy Christ-centered community, openly explore the Bible, pray and be prayed for, worship, play, and serve.

To help jump-start those relationships, Central is holding a Small Group Kick-Off Rally on Sunday, September 12th in the Pavilion. Whether you are new to the area and are hoping to make some new friends or are looking to go beyond the surface with other people of faith, this is your opportunity to join with other believers at Central and get started.

At this event, we will ~

• Form new groups from those who want to join a small group.
• Give you an opportunity to meet and get to know other group members in a non-threatening, neutral setting.
• Provide each group with a trained leader who will shepherd the group during its initial phase.
• Pray for you as you launch your group.

Lunch and childcare will be provided. In order to have an accurate count for those providing lunch and childcare, please sign up for this event by calling Paul Hogsten or Julie Morgan. You can also sign up for the Kick-Off Rally at the Small Group Ministry table in the Concourse or through the link on Central's homepage.