Can you imagine going to a professional ball game alone? You sit beside people you don’t know. You all sing the same national anthem. You all speak the same language. But it’s possible to feel very much alone even though you are surrounded by thousands of people.

Church can give you the same feeling if you are new or just visiting and even if you have been attending for a while. Even though ball games and church are entirely different, they do share a lot of common factors.

It is far more rewarding to attend if you are connected in some way to a smaller circle of people. This is the basis for the small group ministry within the church. It provides for opportunity to get to know people and for them to get to know you as well. In fact, it is the best place for a lot of things: developing friendships, encouragement, prayer, support, and service ... just to name a few.

We all attend for basically the same reasons. While a church worship service can be encouraging, it is difficult to share individual needs. There is no substitute for someone meeting with you and encouraging each other in spiritual matters on an individual basis. Small groups are tailor-made for strengthening and encouraging people in this way.

LifeGroups are the place where you can connect with others here at New Hope. We believe those who participate in LifeGroups not only feel a connection with others in their group, but also more of a connection with the church, their faith and God. We reach out to neighborhoods by meeting in the homes of people throughout the week. While we believe in a strong worship service format, we also know that when Christ wanted to establish his church, He did not go build a building. Rather, they met in homes and in small groups. The principle is timeless and still one of the most effective ways to meet the needs of people.

The last thing we want people to feel like is that they are at a ball game and they know no one. If you would like more information about getting involved in a group, open your home to host a group, or be trained as a LifeGroup leader, please contact the church office or Scott Pearson, our LifeGroups Team Leader.