justin j mack

rvc service small groups

with the help of our outreach director, lisa engelking, this past semester rvc had over a dozen different organized service small groups.  these groups used their time and resources to serve our community at elderly homes, inner-city ministries, food programs, homeless shelters, parkcleanups, and so many other creative ways. 

i was encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response we have had to the groups but what has most inspired me is to hear about our connection groups and growth groups also taking servanthood seriously.  many of our groups are hearing about needs in our community and creatively responding.

here are a few photos from one of those groups that inspire me, 20somethings painting day at naomi women's shelter.

       

life is a group activity

each one of us were designed uniquely with different personalities and passions but none of us were designed to live life alone. 

if river valley church is your place or you just want to check it out, take a look at the dozens of opportunities to live life as a group activity. 

mega-strong rvc

on the same weekend rvc passed the 2000 mega-mark, i got a very timely and encouraging email. 

a very kind lady told me about her "misgivings about mega-churches" and her "concerns about getting lost in the crowd" but a year and a half ago her and her husband decided to give rvc a try because of the variety of small groups offered.

she went on to say that in the midst of a very difficult time of her life, both her and her husband have found so many wonderful friends in their small groups and have grown closer to the Lord.  she said that she could not express her gratefulness for rvc small groups.

i am so proud to be a part of rvc, no matter how big it gets, you can find a small group of friends that will be there during the good times and the hard times!!

2008 spring small group guru award

our rvc small group leaders rock!! 

we had such a great time at the small group leader training on monday night.  these trainings are a lot of fun but so incredibly important for the vision and growth of small groups at rvc.  i cannot stress this enough!!!

as promised...the first ever small group guru award goes to...  table 4 - kari cornwell, isabel ketterling, missy perry, mary wavinak, dana mohs, and nancy holte.  congrats ladies!!

to check out what they know... Download rvc_2008_spring_small_group_trivia_game.pdf

the new small group guide is available

the 2008 spring small group guide is now available at www.rivervalleychurch.org.

i am amazed at the number and quality of our small group leaders.  i was hoping and praying for about 85 leaders but over 120 stepped up to lead over 65 different small groups.

the numbers may not mean much to you but when you realize that the purpose of every one of these groups and the main priority of all these leaders is to help lead people to an authentic, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ...that is pretty exciting!!

50/50

my two primary responsibilities as a pastor at river valley church is to oversee both small groups and missions.  i really enjoy splitting my time 50/50 between these two areas of responsibility.

small groups.  the year is quickly coming to an end and our new leaders and new small groups are starting to make plans for 2008.  for all those that are interested in becoming a new small group leader, there is a small group leaders orientation on december 1st.  for those that have gone through the orientation, the new small group profiles are due december 14th.  you can get more information from the small group page on the rvc website. (www.rivervalleychruch.org)

missions.  i've had a lot of questions about the upcoming missions trips but all i can say right now is that there are going to be a lot of them.  there will also be many other missions opportunities you can be involved with besides trips.  i am working hard at developing the rvc missions plan and the 2008/2009 mission trip opportunities.  i'm hoping to present more information within the first couple months of 2008.