Helping People Get Connected

Finding a place to connect in a large church can be a difficult and intimidating experience for anyone.  It is especially difficult for those who have not been in church for a very long time.  Over this past year we have worked hard to create clear pathways to help those who are new to Mission Hills find places to connect.  This issue of connection is also important to those who regularly attend services on Sundays but have yet to find a place where they can make friends or feel like they belong.  In other words, they attend, but they’re not connected. 

God has been bringing an increasing number of new people to Mission Hills this past year, and we have a growing passion to do all we can to help those folks, Christians and seekers alike, to connect with God and with our church family.  We want this to be a priority for us today and as we think about moving into a new community. It is our goal to have clear pathways for people to connect with God and with each other. 

Here are a few of the ways we help people find a place to connect and make new friends …

• The Guest Services Center is a convenient place for new people to gather information and talk to someone about what our church has to offer for them, their family, or their friends.

• NEXT is a brief 30 minute orientation to Mission Hills and the various opportunities for you or your family members to get connected, meet other people, or find a place to serve.

 • Starting Point is a safe place for people with questions about faith, as well as those who want to learn more about the Bible, God, and Christianity in a conversational environment. Starting Point is specifically designed for three kinds of people:

    Seekers – those who are curious about God, Jesus, the Bible, or Christianity

Starters – those who have just begun a relationship with Jesus Christ

Returners – those who have some church experience, but have been away for a while

 • Plugged-In is a two week class to help participants discover their unique make-up and get “plugged-in” to a place of service based on who God has made them to be. 

 • Small Groups are a great place for help people to develop close friendships and find mutual support and encouragement.  Some groups are on-going groups, such as our Home Groups; other groups are short-term, such as our Starter Groups (8 weeks) and Truth Project Groups (12 weeks).

 • Block Party Lunch provides another convenient place for those new to Mission Hills to meet some of the staff and learn how they can get connected at Mission Hills 

It is fun to see what God is doing in the life of Mission Hills at this point in our history.  Like you, I was absolutely thrilled when a large number of people accepted Christ at the end of a morning worship service two weeks ago.  Now, while many churches would be scrambling to figure out a way to follow-up with all those new believers … by God’s grace, we were ready.  We have Starting Point.  We simply added a new Starting Point group on Monday nights, and we’re ready to help them on their new journey with Jesus Christ.  Isn’t God good!

 

Let’s keep on praying for and expecting God to bring new people to Mission Hills … people who need to connect with Christ and connect with His Church.

 

Galatians 6:9

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest, if we don’t give up.”

Pastor Rick