“Connection — The Ministry of Staying Close”

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ” — 1 Peter 4:8–10

Peter writes to believers who were scattered, stretched, and navigating uncertainty. In seasons like that, the natural instinct is to pull back. But Peter calls the church to do the opposite. He calls them to lean in, to love deeply, and to stay connected.

The phrase “love each other deeply” paints the picture of love that stretches—love that reaches beyond convenience and comfort. It’s the kind of love that refuses to let distance, busyness, or differences weaken the bond of community.

Then Peter ties that love to hospitality. Hospitality isn’t just opening our homes; it’s opening our lives. It’s the ministry of making space for others—space to be seen, heard, and valued. It’s saying, “You belong here.”

Finally, Peter reminds us that connection is part of our stewardship. God has placed gifts in each of us—encouragement, leadership, compassion, listening—and those gifts are meant to be poured out. When we use our gifts to serve others, we become channels of God’s grace in real, tangible ways.

Summer may shift our schedules, but it doesn’t have to weaken our connections. In fact, it can strengthen them. When leaders choose to stay present, stay relational, and stay intentional, they model the kind of love Peter describes—love that holds a community together.

Connection is not just a warm feeling — it is the activation of what God placed inside each of us. When we gather people around a table, we create the conditions for gifts to be discovered, shared, and celebrated. This is exactly what Peter was pointing to in 1 Peter 4:8–10. Deep love, sincere hospitality, and faithful stewardship are not abstract ideas; they are lived out in the simple, sacred act of showing up for one another.

When we open our homes, our schedules, or even just our attention,

we make space for God’s grace to flow through us. Hospitality becomes a ministry.

Presence becomes discipleship. A shared meal becomes a moment where someone feels seen, valued, and strengthened.

This summer, let’s be intentional. The world disconnects. We connect. That is our calling. And every time we

choose connection — through a Table for Eight, a text message, a prayer, or a simple invitation — we are practicing the kind of love that holds the church together.

Connection is not a program. It’s a posture. It’s how we show the world what the love of Jesus looks like in real time.

Staying Connected Through the Summer

1. Host a “Table for Eight” Gathering

One of our best tools for connection.

• Invite enough people to make a group of eight

• Share a meal—breakfast, dinner, coffee, or a picnic

• Keep it relaxed and relational

• Focus on conversation and friendship

A single meal can deepen relationships that last long after summer ends.

2. Create a Simple Summer Touch‑Point Rhythm

Even if your group isn’t meeting weekly, stay present.

• Send a quick text every week or two

• Share a Scripture or prayer

• Ask how you can support them

• Celebrate birthdays, wins, and answered prayers

Small touches keep hearts connected.

3. Plan One Easy Summer Hangout

Not a full meeting—just time together. Ideas include:

• Ice cream night

• Beach or park meetup

• Game night

• Fire pit & s’mores

• Serving together at a local outreach

Low pressure, high connection.

4. Pair Up Group Members for “Summer Buddies”

Encourage two people to check in on each other weekly. This builds connection within the group, not just to the leader.

5. Keep Prayer Circulating

Start a group text thread for prayer needs. When people pray for each other, they stay connected to each other.

 Leadership Reflection Question:

Where is God inviting you to “stretch” your love this summer—to reach out, follow up, or create space for someone who might otherwise drift away?

Imago Dei

Imago Dei

A Devotional for Small Group Leaders — May 2026

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you." Jeremiah 1:5

With Pentecost Sunday landing on the 24th, Pastor Rod set the theme for May as Pentecost — and I normally follow Pastor Rod's themes for our monthly devotional. However, Wednesday night Pastor Chris preached on "Mislabeled" and if you missed it, I encourage you to go find it on the Cooper City Church of God YouTube channel. I felt it was an on time word, partly because I'm in a course right now where one of the topics is your identity in Christ. Between that message and what I've been chewing on, it just felt like this was the word for us this month.

So we're talking about identity. Who you are, and who God actually designed you to be.

Imago Dei

Before anyone tried to convince you of your identity, God already put a label on you. Imago Dei — Latin for the image of God. You didn't earn it and you can't lose it. It was pressed into you before you ever took your first breath.

Wednesday night Pastor Chris made this statement — the first temptation wasn't about bread, it was about identity. Satan said "If you are the Son of God, turn these stones to bread." He wasn't just trying to get Jesus to perform a miracle — he was trying to get Jesus to prove something He already was. When you don't know who you are, you become vulnerable to anyone who offers you a definition of who they think you should be. You end up spending your life performing for an identity you already possess or one that actually isn't yours at all. The enemy hasn't changed his strategy — he is still coming after identity first. He doesn't primarily come after what you do, He comes after who you are — because when you know who you are, everything changes. You stop performing for a seat at the table and start walking like someone who was already seated. You stop being a conditioned participant and start moving in your orchestrated designation — showing up because that's what you were made for.

You Are Not Your Assignment

Someone put it this way — another person can be given an assignment that you refused, but you have a destiny, no one can take your place. It can only be filled by you.

An assignment can be handed off, or reassigned, but your destiny is a space God designed specifically for you — and you are the only one authorized to occupy it. Not invited. Not suggested. Authorized. God didn't create a role and then look for someone to fill it. He created you and then built the role around you.

That changes things. Because it says your identity is not tied to your occupation — it is tied to your destiny. It is yours. No one else can do it. You are irreplaceable.

Moses tried to convince God to send someone else to lead His people out of Egypt. For every excuse Moses gave why he couldn't, God gave a reason why he could. Gideon also tried to convince God He had the wrong person. But in the end they both discovered the same truth — God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. And when you add God to your yes, the combination is invincible.

The question was never whether you were qualified. The question is whether you are willing to walk in who God already said you are.

For Your Group This Week

• Is who you are today the same as who God designed you to be?

• What labels have you been carrying that God never put on you?

• What would it look like to lead from identity instead of assignment?

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." *Ephesians 2:10

You were not an afterthought. You were not a backup plan. Before the foundations of the earth, God had you in mind — named clearly, formed carefully, and placed on purpose. Your space was not posted for applications. It was prepared for you. Walk in that truth.

Pastor Kurtis Allen

More Than a Memory

More Than a Memory

Scripture: "A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children." — Proverbs 13:22

As we enter the month of April, we find ourselves in the middle of Passion Week — a time to reflect on what Jesus did for us at the cross. And it is precisely because of what He did that everything else we do matters. The sacrifice of Christ is the very foundation of every covenant, every family, and every legacy worth building.

When most people hear the word legacy, they think of something left behind after death — a will, a name on a building, a footnote in someone's memory. But biblical legacy isn't about what happens after you're gone. It's about what you're building right now.

Legacy is the overflow of a life lived on purpose.

The church theme for the month of April is Marriage and Family. And with that in mind, I want you to ask yourself a simple question: What are the people closest to me learning about God, love, and faithfulness — just by watching me?

Legacy isn't always loud. It rarely announces itself. It's the way a father prays at the dinner table. The way a mother speaks about her husband when she thinks no one is listening. The way a couple chooses forgiveness over pride — again and again — until their children understand that love isn't a feeling, it's a decision.

The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 78:4 that we should not hide God's works from the next generation, but "tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord." Legacy, at its core, is a transfer of faith. It is one generation saying to the next: This is what God has done. This is how He came through. This is who He is.

As small group leaders, you sit in a unique seat. You are not just leading a meeting — you are modeling a life. The couples and families in your group are watching how you and your spouse navigate disagreement, extend grace, and prioritize one another. They are learning that healthy family isn't accidental. It is cultivated, protected, and surrendered to God.

You don't have to be perfect to leave a powerful legacy. In fact, some of the most profound inheritance comes not from flawless living, but from honest recovering — the moments when you said, "I was wrong," or "Let me try that again," or "We've been through hard seasons, but God didn't leave us."

That is the legacy your group needs to see.

Legacy isn't WHAT you leave behind. Legacy is WHO you leave behind.

Reflection Questions for Your Group

1. What legacy did you inherit from your family — spiritually, relationally, or emotionally? How has that shaped you?

2. If the people closest to you described your marriage or family in one word ten years from now, what would you want that word to be?

3. What is one intentional step you can take this month to build the legacy you want to leave?

Don’t Rush the Process

As many of you know, on February 18th, I underwent surgery to remove a tumor from my pituitary gland. It is difficult for me to accept that it has only been four weeks since surgery — it feels much longer. In this short time, I have been reminded of a very profound lesson, and it didn't come from a book or a sermon. God used my own body.

I felt fine. I had almost no pain and only a few minor after-effects from surgery. So, when my two sisters came down to check on me a week after surgery, I took them out to breakfast, and we stopped at a store to walk around. The doctor had said walking was good for me, and I felt good — so why not? It wasn't long before I realized it was too much, too soon. We returned home and I spent the rest of the afternoon on the sofa resting.

The following week my doctor and surgeon said they were pleased with my progress. Feeling encouraged, I decided to attend church. It was wonderful seeing people and sharing the good news. Then the music started. I stood up, began to praise, and before the first song ended, I had to sit down — I was feeling lightheaded. Apparently the vibration from the music was affecting my only partially healed brain. Daisy looked at me and wisely said, "Let's go."

Back home, sitting on the sofa and watching church online, I began to pray. And in that quiet moment, God showed me something I already knew but had not been paying attention to.

There Is a Process.

Just because I felt fine on the outside did not mean the inside had finished healing. The work happening beneath the surface is real, even when you cannot see it or feel it. And if you refuse to respect that process — if you push ahead before the time is right — you risk undermining everything that has already been done.

This is not only physical but spiritual as well.

The Scriptures are full of men and women who had to go through a process before they arrived at their purpose. Joseph spent years in a pit and a prison before he stood in the palace. Moses spent forty years in the wilderness before he stood before Pharaoh. David was anointed king as a young shepherd boy, but it would be years before he actually sat on the throne.

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." — Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

Notice that verse does not say God began a good work in you and then stopped. It says He will carry it on to completion. There is a process between the beginning and the finish, and God is present in every stage of it.

Don't Rush the Process.

It is human nature to want to skip ahead. When we feel good, we want to go. When we receive a good report, we want to move. But feeling ready and being ready are not always the same thing.

"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." — Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

Notice the order in that verse — wait, then soar. The waiting is not wasted time. The waiting is part of the work.

When I sat down in that church seat, lightheaded and humbled, I wasn't experiencing a setback — I was receiving a lesson. God was not saying, "You can't do this." He was saying, "Not yet — trust the process."

The Process Is the Path.

Whatever you are believing God for today — healing, restoration, a breakthrough, a calling — understand this: there is a process. There are things He is doing in you right now, beneath the surface, that you cannot yet see. Spiritual maturity, character, endurance, faith — these things are not downloaded in an instant. They are built through the process.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." — Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

All things — including the waiting. Including the slowing down. Including the moments when you have to sit on the sofa instead of standing in worship.

The process is not a detour from God's plan. The process IS the plan.

For Small Group Leaders — Practical Guide

Using This Devotional in Your Group

This devotion lends itself naturally to open, honest conversation. The goal is not simply to discuss the content, but to help your group members identify where they are in their own process — and to find the courage to trust God in that place. Create a safe, unhurried atmosphere where people feel free to share honestly.

Begin by reading the devotional aloud, or ask a group member to read it. Before moving into questions, simply ask: "What stood out to you most as you heard this?" Allow a few responses without diving too deep yet. This warms the room and surfaces what the Holy Spirit is already doing in your group members.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever felt ready for something — a next step, a new season, a breakthrough — only to find out that God's timing was different from yours? Share what that felt like.

2. The devotional mentions Joseph, Moses, and David — all of whom went through a long process before stepping into their purpose. Which of these three do you most identify with right now, and why?

3. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that God will complete the work He started in us. What area of your life do you most need to trust Him with right now?

4. Is there a place in your life where you have been rushing ahead of God — pushing through before the healing or the preparation is complete? What would it look like to slow down and honor the process?

5. Isaiah 40:31 links waiting on the Lord directly to renewed strength. What does "waiting on the Lord" practically look like in your daily life? Is it something you do intentionally, or is it a struggle?

6. The devotional says, "The process is not a detour from God's plan — the process IS the plan." How does that statement challenge or encourage you personally?

Application Challenge

Ask each group member to identify one specific area of their life where they sense God is calling them to trust the process rather than rush ahead. Encourage them to write it down and commit to praying over it daily until your next meeting.

Close by reading Romans 8:28 together aloud, then spend time in prayer — specifically asking God to give each person the patience, faith, and peace to trust Him in the middle of their process.

For the Leader

This topic may surface deep emotions in your group. Some members may be walking through seasons of waiting that feel long and painful — unanswered prayers, delayed promises, difficult seasons of preparation. Be sensitive to this. Resist the urge to rush toward resolution or quick answers. Sometimes the most powerful thing a small group can do is simply sit with someone in their process and remind them they are not alone — and neither was Joseph, Moses, or David.

That is exactly where God met them. And He will meet your group members right where they are too.

What's Your Mission?

As you Know, February is Missions Month here at Cooper City Church of God, and this year we are celebrating 40 years of missions weeks "A Generation of Generosity". We love to see the missionaries that we support come to town, hear the stories of what God is doing in their part of the world, let them stay in our homes, treat them to a good meal, and give them a chance to lay down their burdens and forget their stresses for a few days. What a privilege to minister to those who spend their lives in foreign lands spreading the love of God around the world.

When we think about "MISSIONS" we think of sending people to different countries to share the Gospel, establish churches, and support local communities. But consider the definition of "Mission" - A specific task, assignment, or purpose that someone is sent to accomplish. It comes from the Latin "mittere" meaning "to send."

God has given each of us a mission, a purpose designed specifically for our lives. The critical question we must wrestle with is this: Are we pursuing the mission God has given us, or are we chasing our own agenda?

Over the weekend, I watched the movie "Cabrini" it is based on the life of Mother Francesca Cabrini, an Italian nun who felt called to start an orphanage and school in China. In 1889 the Pope sent her to New York City where she faced opposition as an immigrant and a woman. On top of that, due to an illness, doctors told her she only had three years to live. Yet 35 years later, she had opened 67 orphanages, schools, and hospitals from Chicago to China. She died at age 67, fulfilling her mission despite impossible odds. (I highly recommend this film.)

In 2 Timothy 4, Paul is in prison in Rome knowing his life is nearing the end. As he writes to Timothy he looks back and says, "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Both Paul and Francesca could say at the end of their lives, without hesitation, that they completed the mission God gave them. Here's the challenging question: If you were nearing the end of your life today, would you be able to say the same? Do you even know what your mission is?

The good news is that it's never too late to discover and fulfill the mission God has for you. Here are practical ways to begin:

Seek God for God Seek God for who He is, not just for what He can do for you. When we seek God with our whole heart (Jeremiah 29:13), He promises we will find Him. As we draw near to God, He draws near to us (James 4:8). In this intimate relationship with Him, as we spend time in His Word and prayer, the Holy Spirit reveals His will for our lives and gives us direction for the unique purpose He has for us.

Look at how God has shaped you - Your mission is often connected to your passions, gifts, experiences, and even your pain. What breaks your heart? What energizes you? God doesn't waste anything in your life.

Seek wise counsel - Talk to mature believers who know you well. Sometimes others can see gifts and calling in us that we can't see in ourselves.

Start where you are - Don't wait for perfect clarity. Be faithful in the opportunities right in front of you. Your mission might be in your workplace, your neighborhood, or your small group.

Watch for open doors - Pay attention to opportunities that present themselves. When doors open and God gives you peace, that's often confirmation of His direction.

Fulfilling Your Mission

Once you have clarity (or even just a sense of direction), the work begins:

Stay focused - Paul said in Acts 20:24, "I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me." Don't get distracted by every good opportunity. What is the main thing God has called you to? Keep that central.

Be faithful in difficult seasons - Paul faced shipwrecks, beatings, and imprisonment. Mother Cabrini was given three years to live but worked for 35 more. Your mission won't always be easy, but faithfulness matters more than feelings.

Don't let obstacles define you - What obstacles are you facing? A health diagnosis? Financial limitations? Age? Don't let these convince you that God can't use you. He specializes in using the "unlikely" to accomplish His purposes.

Helping Your Small Group Members Discover and Fulfill Their Mission

As a small group leader, you have a unique opportunity to help others discover God's purpose for their lives:

Create space for the conversation - Dedicate time for people to share their sense of calling, questions, and struggles. Many Christians have never been asked, "What do you think God is calling you to do?"

Help them identify their gifts - Use assessments or simply have group members affirm what they see in each other. Sometimes people need permission to believe what God has placed inside them.

Encourage practical steps - Don't let the discussion stay theoretical. If someone feels called to serve the homeless, connect them with a local outreach. If someone wants to use their business skills for God's kingdom, help them explore opportunities.

Provide accountability and encouragement - Check in regularly about the steps they're taking. Celebrate progress. Pray specifically for each person's mission. When someone gets discouraged, remind them of what you've seen God doing in their life.

Connect the ordinary to the mission - Not everyone is called to overseas missions. Help your group see that their workplace, family, and neighborhood are mission fields. The stay-at-home parent has a mission. The accountant has a mission. The retired person has a mission.

Challenge the excuses - When someone says "I'm too old" or "I don't have the education" or "I have health issues," remind them of Mother Cabrini, who was told she had three years to live and went on to open 67 institutions. Our limitations are opportunities for God's power to be displayed.

Commission them - When someone steps into a new area of ministry or calling, pray over them as a group. Send them out with the blessing and support of the community.

As We Celebrate Missions Month

This month, as we celebrate those who serve God in foreign lands, let's remember that each of us has a mission right where we are. God isn't only calling people to cross oceans. He's calling you. He's calling the members of your group.

may we all finish our race well. May our small groups be places where people discover their God-given purpose and find the support, they need to fulfill it.

Let's run our races well, leaders. Let's help others run theirs. The finish line is waiting, and there's work to be done.

The Power of Your Words: Speaking Life and Truth

We live in a world drowning in words. Social media posts, text messages, conversations—we speak more than any generation in history. But how often do we consider the weight of what we're saying?

Proverbs 18:21 offers us a sobering reality: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Our tongue has real capability to shape outcomes. And the "fruit" we eat? Those are the natural consequences of our speech patterns coming back to us.

This isn't about magical thinking or claiming prosperity with the right words. It's about something far more practical and profound: the way we habitually speak creates ripples that eventually return to us.

When we speak encouragement, we build relationships that sustain us. When we speak truth, we create trust that protects us. When we speak wisdom, we cultivate peace that surrounds us. But the opposite is equally true—gossip destroys the community we need, lies erode the trust we depend on, and harsh words break the spirits of those we love, leaving us isolated.

Biblical declarations, then, aren't about controlling God or manifesting our desires. They're about aligning our speech with God's truth so we participate in life rather than death.

Consider these declarations rooted in wisdom:

When facing fear, we can speak truth: "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1). This isn't denying the threat; it's anchoring ourselves in God's character while fear tries to sweep us away.

When tempted to gossip, we can declare: "Let no corrupting talk come out of my mouths, but only such as is good for building up" (Ephesians 4:29). We're choosing life-giving words over destructive ones.

When bitterness takes root, we can speak: "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psalm 34:1). We're training our tongues toward gratitude rather than complaint.

Here's the crucial distinction: We're not speaking these things to make them magically true or to force God's hand. We're speaking them because they are already true, and our words need to catch up with reality. When we verbally declare Scripture, something powerful happens—we're not just reading God's Word, we're embedding it deep within us. The psalmist understood this: "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalm 119:11).

Speaking God's Word aloud is one of the most effective ways to hide it in our hearts. When we hear ourselves declare biblical truth, it moves from abstract knowledge to lived reality. Our ears hear it, our minds process it, our hearts absorb it, and gradually these truths shape our instincts and responses. In moments of crisis or temptation, what we've repeatedly spoken becomes what naturally flows out. We're training our hearts to default to God's truth rather than fear, bitterness, or doubt.

This is why we declare Scripture—not to manipulate circumstances, but to transform ourselves from the inside out. We're eating the fruit of life by choosing to speak life, and in speaking it, we become people who truly believe it.

James warns us that "the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness... it stains the whole body" (James 3:6). But he also reminds us that "with it we bless our Lord and Father" (James 3:9). The same mouth can produce blessing or cursing—and we will live in the world our words create.

Today's Reflection:

What "fruit" have you been eating from your words lately? Have your speech patterns produced life—peace, healthy relationships, growing faith—or have they produced conflict, isolation, or discouragement?

Choose one area where your words need realignment with God's truth. Not a wish or desire, but a truth from Scripture about who God is or what He's already promised. Speak that truth aloud today, not to manipulate outcomes, but to train your tongue toward wisdom.

"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).

Remember: You will eat the fruit of your words. Choose wisely what you're planting.

December - Connections

CONNECTIONS: December Newsletter for Small Group Leaders

Dear Small Group Leaders,

As we enter December, our church theme of CONNECTIONS couldn't be more timely. While our groups take a break this month, the relationships we've built don't pause—and neither does our opportunity to deepen them.

Devotional: The God Who Connects

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." – Hebrews 10:24-25

Connection is at the heart of God's design for His church. When Jesus walked the earth, He didn't just preach to crowds—He invested deeply in twelve men, sharing meals, conversations, and life with them. The early church thrived not in mega-gatherings alone, but in homes where believers broke bread, prayed, and "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship" (Acts 2:42).

This December, as the world rushes through holiday busyness, we have a unique opportunity. While our formal group meetings are on hold, we can model what connection truly means—reaching out with a text, making a phone call, meeting for coffee, or simply letting someone know they're thought of and prayed for.

Connection isn't just about filling a room; it's about filling hearts with the love of Christ. And sometimes, the most meaningful connections happen in the most unexpected moments—a quick conversation after church, a shared meal, or an invitation to join you at a Christmas event.

Reflect: Who in your group needs to hear from you this month? Who might God be prompting you to invite into community when January arrives?

Connecting During December: Practical Ideas

Even though groups aren't meeting formally this month, here are some ways to stay connected and even expand your circle:

For Current Group Members:

• Send a group text or email with a Christmas blessing or prayer

• Meet individually for coffee or hot chocolate

• Invite members to attend church events together

• Drop off a small gift, card, or plate of cookies

• Share a favorite Christmas tradition or recipe in your group chat

• Plan a casual get-together—nothing formal, just connection

For Potential New Members:

• The holidays are a perfect time to extend invitations! People are often more open to connection during this season

• Invite someone you've met at church to join you at one of our December events

• Mention that your group will be starting fresh in January—a natural entry point for newcomers

• Ask God to bring specific people to mind who might benefit from your group

Looking Ahead: Wednesday Night Groups

We're looking for leaders like you to step up! We're seeking those interested in teaching a 9-week Wednesday night Experience Class. These classes will kick off on Wednesday, January 7, so don't delay!

If you're interested, please let me know what topic you'd like to teach on. Pray about how God might use you to connect with people in a new way through a Wednesday evening group.

A Challenge for This Month

This December, commit to making at least three intentional connections:

1. Reach out to someone in your current group

2. Connect with someone new who might be a good fit for your group

3. Attend one church event with the goal of deepening or creating connections

Remember, small groups restart in January, and there's no better time than now to lay the groundwork for a strong start. The connections you make this month could change someone's life in the year ahead.

Thank you for your faithful leadership. You are making an eternal difference.

November - Benevolence

November is here, and with it comes a special focus on Benevolence Month—a time for our church family to live out Christ's love through acts of service and compassion. As small group leaders, you have a unique opportunity to help your members move from simply knowing about Jesus to living like Jesus in our community.

Devotional: The Heart of Benevolence

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." — Matthew 25:40

When Jesus spoke these words, He was revealing something profound about the nature of serving others. Benevolence isn't just about meeting physical needs—it's an act of worship. When we feed the hungry, clothe those in need, or visit the lonely, we're encountering Christ Himself in the faces of those we serve.

The early church understood this deeply. In Acts 2:44-45, we read that believers "had everything in common" and "gave to anyone who had need." This wasn't a burden—it was their joy. Their generosity flowed naturally from hearts transformed by the gospel.

This November, let's ask ourselves: How can our small groups become communities of radical generosity? Not out of obligation, but out of overflow. When we've experienced God's overwhelming grace toward us, how can we not extend that same grace to others?

Prayer: Lord, open our eyes to see the needs around us. Give us generous hearts that reflect Your love. Help us to serve not for recognition, but because we've been transformed by Your grace. May our benevolence point others to You. Amen.

🗓️ SAVE THE DATE: Serve Day — November 22

Get Your Group Together for Serve Day!

On November 22, our church is hosting a special Serve Day with multiple opportunities to make a tangible difference in our community. This is the perfect chance for your small group to serve side-by-side and build deeper community while blessing others.

How to Participate:

• Talk with your group members THIS WEEK about participating together

• Visit the church website Events page to see available serve opportunities

• Sign up as a group for one of the projects (many hands make light work!)

• Plan to meet together before heading to your serve location

We’ll have projects for everyone - Available Serve Opportunities Include:

·       Serving our first responders,

·       Beautifying our local middle school,

·       Connecting with senior adults in assisted living, 

·       Thanksgiving groceries to families in need,

·       Visiting the homes of senior adults and single parents to help with yard work or wash cars.

Serving together creates bonds that Bible study alone cannot. When your group works shoulder-to-shoulder to love your neighbors, you'll experience the joy of being the hands and feet of Jesus—and you'll grow closer as a community in the process.

Don't wait! Spots fill quickly. Sign up today and invite your entire group to join you.

A Challenge for This Month

As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, let's challenge our groups to live with open hands and generous hearts. Benevolence isn't a one-month commitment—it's a lifestyle. But let November be the catalyst that transforms how your group engages with the needs around you.

Remember: people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Let's show our community the transforming love of Christ through our actions.

Let's make November a month our community won't forget.

In His Service,

October - Next Gen

Next Is Now: Engaging the Next Generation in Small Groups

Pastor Ken has been reminding us: "Next is Now." These three words should reshape how we think about the next generation in our small groups.

The next generation isn't waiting for permission or their turn to lead and serve. They're ready now. They're hungry for authentic community, desperate for meaningful purpose, and searching for places where their voices matter.

As small group leaders, we can either be bridges that connect generations or barriers that keep them apart. Our groups have the power to unleash the potential God has already placed in younger believers.

Five Practical Ways to Include the Next Generation

1. Extend Personal Invitations

Don't wait for young adults to find your group—go find them. Identify younger believers and personally invite them. Be specific: "I'd love for you to join us. We need your perspective."

2. Create Leadership Opportunities Immediately

Give them responsibilities from day one: lead a discussion question, share first in prayer requests, choose the next study topic, or coordinate a service project.

3. Adapt Your Format

Try round-table discussions, collaborative service projects, hybrid meetings (in-person and virtual), or interactive elements like journaling and discussion-based learning.

4. Leverage Their Skills

Let them manage group communications, create social media content, or use their digital skills to enhance your group's impact.

5. Make Space for Their Passions

Ask what issues keep them up at night—justice, mental health, creation care. Build studies and service projects around these Kingdom concerns.

 Devotional: "A Generation That Will Seek Him"

Psalm 24:3-6

"Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart... Such is the generation of those who seek him."

Reflection

The psalmist speaks of "a generation of those who seek Him." Not the previous generation. Not the next generation. A generation. Present tense. Now.

Throughout Scripture, God used the "next generation" in their present moment:

• Samuel was a young boy when God first spoke to him

• David was a teenager when Samuel anointed him

• Josiah was eight when he became king and led reformation

• Mary was likely a teenager when she said yes to bearing the Messiah

• Timothy was young when Paul said, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young"

The qualifications for ascending God's mountain aren't about age or experience—they're about the heart. A sixteen-year-old with a surrendered heart can ascend just as surely as a sixty-year-old.

When we embrace "Next is Now," generations don't compete—they collaborate. Older believers bring wisdom and perspective. Younger believers bring energy and fresh vision. Together, we become "a generation" that seeks God's face.

Prayer

"Lord, help us see that Your Kingdom needs every voice and every generation working together right now. Give us eyes to recognize the calling You've placed on younger believers. Help us build groups where all generations seek Your face together. In Jesus' name, amen."

The Challenge

"Next is Now" isn't a program for someday—it's a mindset for today. This week, take one step: invite someone younger, hand off a leadership opportunity, or ask a question and really listen.

The next generation isn't coming. They're already here. And they're ready to seek God's face alongside us.

September - Spiritual Renewal

Dear Group Leaders,

Welcome to our September newsletter! As we transition into a new season, we're focusing on Spiritual Renewal – that vital process of refreshing our hearts, rekindling our passion for God, and experiencing His transforming presence in fresh ways.

Important September Events

Sunday, September 7 marks a bittersweet milestone as we bid farewell to our beloved worship arts leader. Join us after service for a reception honoring Pastor Eric Stafford as he begins his next chapter of ministry in Baltimore. While distance may keep us separate, our hearts and spirits will remain connected through the bonds forged in Christ.

Prayer Revival Week: September 7-13
Each evening at 7pm, we'll gather to pray for revival in our hearts, church, community, and nation. This is a powerful opportunity to seek God's face together and experience spiritual renewal through unified prayer.

Refresh Revival Weekend: September 26-28
Pastor Stephen Durden will be our guest speaker for this special weekend focused on receiving a fresh touch from God. No registration necessary – just come ready to be renewed!

Devotional: The Spring of Renewal

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." - Psalm 51:10

King David understood something profound about spiritual renewal: it's not a one-time event, but an ongoing process of allowing God to recreate and refresh our inner being. Like a natural spring that continuously flows with fresh water, spiritual renewal requires us to return regularly to the Source.

Consider the imagery of a well. If it is not connected to a spring that constantly feeds it a fresh, life-giving flow of water, it will begin to store old, stagnant, toxic water. Similarly, spiritual renewal happens when we position ourselves to continuously receive from God's inexhaustible supply of grace, love, and power – staying connected to the Source so our hearts don't become stagnant reservoirs but remain fresh, living wells allowing us to continue to build and strengthen others.

The Hebrew word for "renew" (chadash) means "to make new, to restore, to repair." It suggests that renewal isn't just about feeling better – it's about being fundamentally restored to God's original design for our lives.

Reflection Questions:

• What areas of your spiritual life feel "stagnant" and need fresh flow?

• How can you position yourself this month to receive God's renewing touch?

• What old patterns or attitudes might God want to "repair" in your heart?

Personal Spiritual Renewal Practices

Daily Rhythms

• Morning Journaling: Begin each day with reflective writing, expressing your thoughts, prayers, and gratitude to God

• Scripture Meditation: Choose one verse to meditate on throughout the day, allowing it to transform your thoughts

• Evening Reflection: Ask yourself: "Where did I see God today?" and "What is He teaching me?"

Weekly Disciplines

• Sabbath Rest: Designate time for true rest and worship, disconnecting from productivity to connect with God

• Nature Walks: Spend time in creation, allowing God's handiwork to refresh your perspective

• Worship Playlist: Create a collection of songs that draw your heart to God and play it during commutes or household tasks

Monthly Practices

• Personal Retreat: Schedule 2-4 hours alone with God for prayer, reading, and listening

• Confession and Cleansing: Regularly examine your heart and confess anything that hinders your relationship with God

• Vision Renewal: Revisit God's calling on your life and ask Him to refresh your passion and purpose

Integrating Renewal into Your Small Groups

Study Ideas

• Renewal Stories: Study biblical characters who experienced spiritual renewal (Jacob, Peter, Paul)

• Fresh Perspectives: Revisit familiar passages and ask, "What is God saying to us now that we might have missed before?"

• Testimony Time: Have members share how God has brought renewal to different areas of their lives

Interactive Elements

• Prayer Stations: Set up different areas for confession, gratitude, intercession, and listening prayer

• Creative Expression: Use art, music, or writing to express what renewal looks like in their lives

• Partner Prayer: Have members pray specifically for one another's areas needing renewal

Group Challenges

• 21-Day Renewal Challenge: Encourage members to commit to one new spiritual discipline for three weeks

• Scripture Memory: Learn renewal verses together throughout the month

• Service Project: Plan an act of service that refreshes your group's mission focus

Closing Practices

• Commissioning Prayer: End each meeting praying blessing and renewal over each member for the week ahead

• Renewal Reminders: Send midweek texts with short prayers or verses about renewal

• Celebration: Share testimonies of how God is bringing renewal to group members

Leader Encouragement

Remember, you cannot give what you don't possess. Your own spiritual renewal is not selfish – it's essential for effective ministry. This September, prioritize your personal encounters with God so you can authentically lead others into renewal.

As we navigate farewells, welcome new seasons, and seek God's fresh touch together, may we discover that His mercies truly are new every morning. Our God is the God of fresh starts, second chances, and continuous renewal.

May your groups be springs of living water this month, offering refreshment to weary souls and renewal to eager hearts.

Blessings and renewal,
Pastors Kurtis and Daisy Allen

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17

August - Outreach/Evangelism

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:8

Dear Small Group Leaders,

This August, Pastor Rod’s theme for our church is outreach and evangelism, focusing on the heart of our calling as believers. As we enter this month together, I want you to know how excited I am about the unique role your small groups can play in reaching our community with the love of Christ.

Small groups are often where the most authentic evangelism happens. While Sunday services can inspire and equip, it's in the intimate setting of your living rooms, around dinner tables, and in the natural rhythms of your group life that people truly encounter the transforming power of Christian community. Your groups are not just Bible studies or fellowship gatherings—they are missionary outposts in your neighborhoods, workplaces, and social circles.

This month, I'm challenging each small group to prayerfully consider how God might be calling you to open your doors wider. Not every group will look the same in how they engage in outreach, and that's exactly as it should be. Some of you will discover gifts for hospitality, others for service, and still others for creating safe spaces where honest spiritual conversations can flourish.

Remember, you don't need to become something you're not to be effective in evangelism. God wants to use your group's unique personality, gifts, and passions to reach specific people in your sphere of influence. The goal isn't to add more programs to your calendar, but to infuse your existing community with intentional love for those who don't yet know Jesus.

I'm praying for each of you this month as you lead your groups to look beyond yourselves and catch God's heart for the lost. Thank you for your faithful leadership and for being willing to step into this adventure with Him.

From the Heart: A Devotional Moment

Take a moment to imagine the scene: Jesus, having risen from the dead, stands before His disciples one final time before ascending to heaven. In these precious last moments, what does He choose to emphasize? Not organizational structure, not building programs, but the heart of the Gospel itself - sharing His love with a broken world.

The word "witnesses" in Acts 1:8 comes from the Greek word "martys," which means more than just telling what you've seen. It implies a life so transformed by an encounter with Jesus that others can't help but notice. When Jesus calls us to be His witnesses, He's not asking us to become skilled debaters or polished speakers. He's inviting us to simply share the story of how He has changed our lives.

As small group leaders, you have a unique opportunity. You're already creating spaces where authentic relationships are formed, where people feel safe to be vulnerable, and where God's love is experienced in tangible ways. Your group doesn't need to become something different to engage in outreach - it needs to become more of what God already designed it to be: a community that reflects His heart for the lost and lonely.

The power Jesus promises in Acts 1:8 isn't just for the "professional" ministers. It's for every believer, including you and the precious people in your small group. The Holy Spirit wants to work through your gathered community to reach your neighbors, coworkers, and friends with the same love that first drew you to Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, help us see our small group not just as a place of fellowship for believers, but as a launching pad for Your love to reach others. Give us hearts that break for what breaks Yours, and courage to step beyond our comfort zones. Amen.

Practical Ideas for Small Group Outreach

We actually have a few opportunities coming up where you can get involved in:

On Saturday August 2 we are having a Serve Day there are 3 serve opportunities to choose from however space is limited check it out here.

On Wednesday August 6, 2025 from 6:30 - 8:00pm we are having a block party, a time of food, fun, and fellowship as we kick off Fall. Invite your friends, neighbors, or coworkers.

On Friday August 8 @ 6pm. we are partnering with Broward County Sherriff Department Cooper City with the National Night out we are giving out snow cones, Bibles, school supplies and the Love of Jesus.

And Mark your calendars for Saturday November 22 we will be having another serve day.

However don’t be afriad to create your own outreach opportunity for your group

Start Where You Are: Transform your regular group activities into outreach opportunities. Instead of meeting in someone's living room every week, occasionally gather at a local park for a potluck and invite neighbors to join. Host a game night and encourage members to bring friends who might not normally set foot in a church. The goal isn't to ambush anyone with the Gospel, but to create natural spaces where relationships can begin to form.

Serve Together: Nothing builds community like serving side by side. Organize monthly service projects where your group can work together while meeting practical needs in your community. Volunteer at a local food bank, organize a neighborhood cleanup, or partner with a school to provide supplies for teachers. These activities allow your group members to live out their faith while creating conversations with people who might be curious about what motivates such generosity.

Adopt a Cause: Consider having your small group "adopt" a specific family, organization, or need in your community for an extended period. This might mean supporting a single mother with practical needs, partnering with a local homeless shelter, or coming alongside a family dealing with medical challenges. Long-term commitment allows for deeper relationships to develop and demonstrates the sustained love of Christ rather than just one-time acts of kindness.

Host Intentional Gatherings: Create events specifically designed to build bridges with non-believers. Host a "Questions and Coffee" evening where people can ask honest questions about faith in a non-threatening environment. Organize seasonal celebrations like harvest parties or Christmas cookie decorating that naturally draw neighbors and friends. The key is removing barriers and creating comfortable spaces for spiritual conversations to emerge organically.

Prayer Walking: Take your group on regular prayer walks through your neighborhood or around local schools and businesses. This practice sensitizes your hearts to the needs around you while demonstrating God's love through intercession. Sometimes stopping to offer practical help or encouragement during these walks opens doors for meaningful relationships.

Skill Sharing: Inventory the talents and skills within your small group, then find ways to share these gifts with your community. Offer free car maintenance clinics, cooking classes, financial planning workshops, or tutoring services. When people experience genuine care and expertise offered freely, they often become curious about the motivation behind such generosity.

Encouragement for the Journey

Remember that effective outreach flows from the overflow of a group that is growing in love for God and each other. Don't feel pressured to turn every gathering into an evangelistic event, but do stay open to how God might want to use your community to reach others. Some of the most powerful testimonies come from people who were simply loved well by a small group of believers before they ever heard a formal presentation of the Gospel.

Your role as a small group leader places you at the intersection of pastoral care and missionary vision. You're shepherding believers while also keeping your hearts turned outward toward those who don't yet know Christ. This dual calling is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Trust that the same God who called you to lead is also equipping you to help your group become a beacon of His love in your community.

The harvest is indeed plentiful, and your small group has the potential to be part of God's great work of drawing people to Himself. Step forward with confidence, knowing that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." - Luke 4:18-19

"Shout out to our Single Sisterhood small group for their beautiful camaraderie and heart for authentic community! The way you've created a safe space where women can be real, vulnerable, and genuinely loved - this is what being part of a small group is all about."

June 2025 - Baptism of the Holy Spirit

As Pastor has mentioned on Sunday, the theme for the month of June is "The Baptism in the Holy Spirit." This powerful topic promises to deepen our understanding of God's supernatural empowerment and equipping for every believer.

As you may have noticed, I have a practice of aligning our small group newsletter with Pastor's monthly themes. This coordination ensures that whether our congregation is hearing from the pulpit on Sunday morning or gathering in your living rooms throughout the week, we're all being fed from the same rich spiritual table and moving forward together in unified focus.

The timing of this theme is particularly significant as Sunday, June 8th is Pentecost Sunday. I recommend re-reading Acts 2, as we continue to witness God's work in our midst. As you do, note the dramatic difference in Peter from Luke 22 where he denied knowing Jesus and tried to blend into the crowd, and also John 21 where he attempted to go back and blend into the normalcy of his past profession of fishing. Then observe Peter in Acts 2 where he stands out and boldly preaches his first message—and 3,000 were saved! What was the difference? The baptism in the Holy Spirit.

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit isn't merely a doctrinal concept to discuss—it's a life-transforming reality that can revolutionize how your group members experience God's presence, power, and purpose in their daily lives.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit stands as one of the foundational experiences in our Pentecostal faith, yet many believers struggle to understand its significance or how to seek this powerful encounter with God. I encourage you to rewatch Pastor Rod's weekly messages and invite the members of your group to do so as well, as he guides us into deeper spiritual understanding and experience.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit: A Guide for Small Group Leaders

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is distinct from salvation and represents a subsequent empowering experience for believers. Key scriptures include:

Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 2:4 - "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

Acts 19:1-6 - Paul's encounter with the Ephesian disciples demonstrates the distinction between salvation and Spirit baptism.

The Purpose and Benefits

The baptism of the Holy Spirit empowers believers for:

- Bold witness and evangelism - Supernatural courage to share the Gospel

- Spiritual gifts in operation - Manifestation of the nine gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)

- Personal edification - Building up one's spirit through prayer languages

- Deeper intimacy with God - Enhanced prayer life and spiritual sensitivity

- Power for Christian living - Strength to overcome sin and live victoriously

Practical Points for Small Group Integration

 1. Create a Safe Environment for Questions

Many group members may have misconceptions or fears about the Holy Spirit baptism. Establish your group as a judgment-free zone where people can:

- Ask honest questions without feeling foolish

- Share past negative experiences or confusion

- Express their hunger for more of God openly

2. Teaching Through Personal Testimony

Nothing impacts hearts like genuine testimony. As a leader:

- Share your own Holy Spirit baptism experience authentically

- Invite other Spirit-filled believers to share their testimonies

- Include testimonies of healing, provision, and supernatural encounters

- Show how the Holy Spirit's power operates in everyday situations

3. Biblical Study Sessions

Dedicate 4-6 weeks to systematic study:

Week 1: The Promise of the Father (Luke 24:49, John 4:16,17, Acts 1:4-5, Acts 1:8)

Week 2: The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-31)

Week 3: Subsequent Baptisms in Acts (Acts 8:14-17, 10:44-48, 19:1-6)

Week 4: Paul's Teaching on Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12-14)

Week 5: The Fruit vs. Gifts of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23 vs. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10)

Week 6:  Walking in the Spirit Daily (Romans 8:1-17)

4. Address Common Concerns and Obstacles

"I'm not worthy enough"

- Emphasize that the Holy Spirit is a gift, not earned through good works (Acts 2:38-39)

- Share stories of ordinary people who received extraordinary power

Samson, Moses, Peter, 

"I don't speak in tongues"

- Explain that tongues is the initial evidence 

- Focus on receiving the Person of the Holy Spirit, not just the gifts

"I'm afraid of losing control"

- The Holy Spirit is a gentleman who doesn't force Himself on anyone

- God gives His Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32)

- Emphasize that we partner with the Spirit, maintaining our will

5. Ongoing Discipleship After Baptism

Spiritual Gifts Development:

- Teach on identifying and operating in spiritual gifts

- Create opportunities for members to practice gifts in safe environments

- Partner new Spirit-baptized believers with mature mentors

Prayer Language Cultivation:

- Encourage daily use of prayer language for personal edification

- Teach about praying in the Spirit during worship and intercession

- Share how tongues can be used for spiritual warfare

Lifestyle Integration:

- Show how to be led by the Spirit in daily decisions

- Teach sensitivity to the Spirit's voice and promptings

- Emphasize walking in both the fruit and gifts of the Spirit

The baptism of the Holy Spirit transforms lives, empowers witness, and releases supernatural gifts for the building up of the church. As you lead your small group into this experience, expect God to move powerfully among you.

Your group has the potential to become a launching pad for Spirit-empowered believers who will impact their families, workplaces, and communities with the Gospel. Trust the Holy Spirit to do His work through your faithful leadership.

---

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." - John 14:16-17