Ingomar Spirit Newsletter June-July 2014 | Page 16

Making Life Better. Ingomar United Methodist Church 1501 W. Ingomar Road Pittsburgh, PA 15237-1644 Life Change Happens in small groups I truly believe that life change happens in small groups, and I can testify out of my own experience. The very first small group I ever joined studied the book “Experiencing God” by Richard Blackaby. For eight weeks, I sat in a small circle with nine other women in the leader’s living room, and yes – I experienced God! As we worked to learn more about God, God worked in our little group. We bonded and we grew spiritually, both corporately and individually. With my group leader’s encouragement, I soon joined another small group, and eventually led two more groups. I also assisted the pastor who led women’s ministry in organizing small groups. Fast forward to 2014, and I am a pastor at Ingomar Church. I was a back row church member for the longest time before I became a pastor. That small group experience unlocked my potential as a leader. It changed my direction, and my life. I believe that we can all be transformed by intentionally connecting with others and with God in our spiritual development: and that happens in small groups through fellowship, prayer, teaching, service, and outreach. I challenge everyone in the congregation to join a small group for our Summer 2014 semester. I further challenge everyone to prayerfully consider leading one in the near future. Who knows what potential is waiting to be unlocked? Only God does. If I moved from the back of the church into leadership, anyone can. Now is your chance to become part of a small group starting the week of June 22, 2014. Pastor Dianne Glave