Who Will You Walk With in 2027?

Church family,

I hope you and your family have had a great week.

For the last six months I've met with the same three guys every single week. We've walked through struggles together, celebrated wins, and prayed for each other. They've held me accountable to actually obeying what the Lord is teaching me as we read through his Word. Our weekly meeting has truly become one of the most important parts of my week.

That group, along with two others (Jonah Faulknor and Larry Black have been leading those), has been a pilot for something we're launching in January: Discipleship Groups. They're smaller than our community groups, three to five people of the same gender, built for real accountability and for practicing the way of Jesus together. We read through the New Testament, journal, work on Scripture memory, live on mission, and hold each other to what the Lord is saying to us. Hearing the stories coming out of those three groups has been one of the most encouraging things about this season for me.

So here's why I'm writing. I'd love for you to prayerfully consider whether the Lord may be asking you to lead one of these groups in January. Some of you are ready for that right now, and some of you are in a season where it isn't possible. That's okay. If you're willing, I'd love to sit down with you, give you more information, and help you get started. I know everyone has a lot going on and schedules are busy. But making disciples is the central command Christ gave the church before he ascended, and it's too important for us to leave to someone else.

Interested in learning more about D-Groups, reply to the email and let’s talk!

C.T. Studd said, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." Let's press into the things that matter and step out of our comfort zone to do what the Lord is calling us to do.

We also have a unique opportunity in a few weeks to hear from one of the missionaries we support through Partners in Ministry. Chris Rackley serves in Zambia, and he'll be with us on November 21. This is a great night for you to hear about what God is doing around the world and find out how you can partner moving forward. Please RSVP through the link below.

Events & Opportunities

• Thrive Women Friendsgiving | 2026-11-10T18:30:00.000-05:00 | Social Circle Campus Join Thrive Women for an evening of worship, teaching, and great food together. If you'd like to bring food or have questions, contact Megan Sorrow at megsorrow@yahoo.com.
• Uniting Hope For Children Lunch and Learn | 2026-11-15T12:30:00.000-05:00 | Walnut Grove Auditorium A lunch for anyone who wants to learn how we can care for children and families through Uniting Hope. Register here. Questions? Contact Joy Faulknor at joy@churchatthegrove.com.
• Golden Grove Monthly Lunch | Thursday, November 19th | Walnut Grove Our monthly lunch for the Golden Grove family, come and enjoy a catered Thanksgiving lunch from Up in Smoke.
• Partners In Ministry Dinner | 2026-11-21T18:00:00.000-05:00 | Jeff and Vickie Schlender's Home Join us to hear testimony from Chris Rackley, a missionary we support in Zambia. Dinner starts at 6:00 PM and we need a head count, so please RSVP. RSVP here.
• Operation Christmas Child | Boxes due no later than 2026-11-22 If you picked up a box, please bring it back filled and ready by November 22. Thank you for giving.

Would you pray with me this week?

• For our three pilot groups: Pray that God would keep deepening honesty, obedience, and love among those men, and that what he's doing in them would multiply.
• For the people I'll be asking to lead: Pray that the Lord would give clear confirmation and the courage to say yes, even when their schedules feel full.
• For discernment on who to invite: Pray that the right people would end up in the right groups.
• For our church family: Pray that 2027 would be a year of making disciples, not just attending gatherings.

Resource to Consider

A Conversation with Josh Howerton and Louie Giglio

I came across this conversation on the Live Free Podcast. Louie tells the story of the Passion movement, and as someone who has been deeply impacted by Passion, I found myself with tears in my eyes and more faith for what God wants to do in this generation.

Where we need you

• Discipleship Group leaders | Starting January | 3 to 5 people, same gender, weekly | Read the New Testament together, journal, memorize scripture, live on mission, hold each other accountable | Reply to this email and I'll set up a time to talk

Grateful for you,

Nathan