Where do cell members gather?

Connection Groups meet every other week in homes and come together with other cells as a local body at celebration services. Both gatherings are vital! The cell meets to experience God in high worship and to receive teaching from His Word. One without the other would not fulfill all God has for His people. Connection Groups are not bible studies or house churches. God’s design for the church is much greater.

Just two meetings a month?

While believers meet together in homes to share their lives and pray as a Connection Group, the productive work of the group is done in the days and hours between meetings. The meeting itself is seen as a discovery time to plan a time of ministry to members and the lost.

It is important to mention that your Connection Group should not be seen as an optional meeting for those who are interested. God desires for us to live in community and commanded us to work out our salvation together (Philippians 2:12). We were never instructed to live the Christian life outside of a caring community. Iron sharpens iron, which means your Connection Group is an ideal place to grow.

The power to reach this lost world is ours!

As born again believers in Jesus Christ, we have also been commanded to fulfill the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20. This can easily be accomplished if your Connection Group will band together to harness the power of basic Christian community to reach friends, family, coworkers and neighbors for Jesus.

Our goal is to not let our groups be “inward focused!” We are living in the last days. God has called us to storm the gates of Hell, set the captives free and fulfill the Great Commission. You can do it through your Connection Group, the basic building block of God’s design for His bride. Connection Groups are built for storming.

Renewing the ministry of the believer.

For too long, the church has relied upon the ministry being generated by the pastoral staff or lay leadership. But there is too much suffering and too many needs to limit ministry to staff and leaders. The result is burnout on the part of those doing the ministry, and self-doubt on the part of those watching the ministry. The Connection Groups bring a renewed faith for ordinary believers to do extraordinary exploits for God.

Gathering the harvest of the church.

The visitor is the harvest of the local church. No one becomes a member of our church without first being a visitor. The ministry to the unsaved, un-churched, and uninvolved is the harvest ministry. Cell center is a harvest ministry.

Reviving the church.

By renewing the ministry of the believer and by increasing the harvest of the local church, revival will take place. The Cell Center is a complete program that provides the seven necessary components to develop a strong and lasting ministry: vision, values, goals, plans, strategy, systems and structures. As you implement each step of the ministry, you will discover that, through your diligence and persistence, Connection Groups will bear fruit for eternal life.

The highest percentage of believers were reached by the witness of their friends or relatives. Your life contains many events that parallel those in the lives of unbelievers. As you share the way Christ met your needs in those same situations you will present a wonderful report of God’s care. This may lead to an opening to pray for a situation being faced by the unbeliever.

Connection Groups are important for evangelism and edification.

We all have a network of relationships. Most of us have about 8 to 12 people we relate to on a weekly basis. Our task should be to bring an unbeliever into a twofold relationship. The first relationship is with the indwelling with Christ; the second within the body of Christ. Being a Christian is more than preparation for eternity; it’s a better way to live right now.

I Corinthians 14:24-25 But if all prophesy and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

According to this verse the presence of Christ was so powerful that unbelievers developed a deep desire to become a part of the Christian community. The presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the Connection Group members brought them to call on the Lord.

How can I become a member of a Connection Group?

There are multiple opportunities for you to become actively involved in a Connection Group. The most effective way to find a Connection Group in your area is by clicking here, or checking your bulletin insert weekly. All Connection Groups are advertised with locations and time information listed as well as the leader’s names and phone numbers. Our cell center has cell cards available with the picture of the Connection Leaders so that you can easily locate the Connection Group of your interest. All groups are advertised with the address and zip code so that you can find one that is closest to you. Also, before and after services a Connection Group is advertised on the big screens. The next step is simply showing up to a cell meeting.