At Stone Church, we believe one of the clearest things Jesus has called us to do is make disciples. This year has been an important season of transition and renewed focus on how we help people follow Jesus, grow in Christ, and help others do the same.
Over the years, Pastor Alanna built a strong foundation for our Helps and Groups ministries. This past Fall, we joyfully released her to serve as Lead Pastor of Church in the Village. We are especially grateful that she continued serving through December, helping with Grow Night and ensuring a smooth transition. In January, we welcomed Pastor Terri-Lynn, who stepped into the ministry with energy and vision. She led Grow Night at Danforth and then our post-Easter session at Davenport, while also helping us dream about the future of discipleship and groups at Stone. Going forward, her title will be Associate Pastor: Discipleship & Groups, reflecting an important priority for us. Groups and programs are valuable, but they are not the goal. The goal is making disciples who are becoming more like Jesus and helping others follow Him too.
Grow Night continues to provide an important space for connection, community, and spiritual growth. This year, we offered a variety of opportunities across both campuses while continuing to learn how Grow Night can best help people take their next steps with Jesus. We are grateful for everyone who cooked, served, set up, welcomed, cleaned up, facilitated conversations, and helped create these environments. Your faithful service makes Grow Night possible.
Our Helps ministries continue to provide important places of healing, care, and spiritual growth. Celebrate Recovery continues under the leadership of Ann-Marie and her team, helping people experience freedom and transformation through Christ. GriefShare continues to walk alongside those navigating loss. We are particularly thankful for Margot and her faithful service in helping provide care and support through this ministry. DivorceCare, faithfully led by Lois and Janey continues to provide hope, healing, and community for those experiencing separation and divorce. We are deeply thankful for all the leaders, prayer teams, and volunteers who make these ministries possible.
Small groups remain an important part of how we disciple and care for one another. This year, we began laying the groundwork to strengthen our groups ministry, equip leaders, and consider how our groups can become even more intentional places of belonging, care, discipleship, and spiritual growth. There is more to come. We are excited about the opportunities being developed through Discipleship & Groups and look forward to sharing more in the coming year. Thank you to Pastor Alanna for the tremendous foundation she built, to Pastor Terri-Lynn for stepping into this ministry with enthusiasm and vision, and to every leader and volunteer who continues to help people follow Jesus and become His disciples.
