by Stephanie Reeve

It was about this same time last year that my husband Matt and I were sitting in the service and Steve was once again making his push to join a Life Group during the 2009 spiritual growth campaign, RESET. At the time I was just finishing nursing school, and my husband had just started his own business. Until now, we had always used our three year old as our excuse why we couldn’t join.

It would be too hard to get home and get everything accomplished before going to Life Group. 

I never in a million years would have believed someone if they told me I would actually host a Bible study in my home. This was WAY beyond my comfort zone. 

Now that I was home more, I decided it may be the only opportunity we have to do this thing and see what happens with it. 

Well, for some reason, during a particular service, I went up to the RESET booth and actually volunteered to host a group. I figured it couldn’t be too hard with a word-for-word script that was provided.

I was terrified as the date approached. I didn’t know who would be coming or if we would have anything in common with any of them. I was worried they would all be life-long Christians who knew the Bible from cover to cover. My husband shared the same concerns with me. He was very hesitant and nervous the first night. 

As everyone started to arrive, I realized they were all just as nervous as we were.

We packed into our small living room and started our introductions. As soon as we started talking, the nervousness melted away and walls started coming down. It was a very warm and safe environment. By the end of the night, we were all talking about things outside of the RESET topic. 

So fast forward to today, one year later.

Out of the 12 of us that started in that group, eight of us remain. I can honestly say that these people are now my forever friends. I feel like I’ve known them for years. 

The eight of us completed the Dynamic Marriage class together and have served in the childcare together. The women in the group get together with our kids as often as we can. Our kids are all playmates now. My son asks to see everyone at least once a week. The guys in the group occasionally meet for lunch. 

When my husband opened his new business, everyone was there to support us. If anything happens in our life, I know all I have to do is call any one of them and they will be here in a second. 

I can’t imagine how different my life would be now if we had not done RESET. We have gone from spectators who sat in the back and did not know anyone to participants who have a certain section we sit in where we all meet each weekend for the service.

Last spring, during the service where Steve called anyone up who wanted to be baptized, I went up there. I don’t think I would have done that if I didn’t have a certain Life Group member (JIM) standing there cheering for me (literally jumping up and down cheering!) as I did it. 

I look forward to the new Free* campaign to see each of us grow spiritually even more than we did during RESET. It is exciting to know that each week we will be looking forward to our Life Group night to see our friends and share even more good times together.

Editor’s note: Want to join in a group? Visit www.northviewchurch.us to let us know you’re ready to join! You won’t want to miss this critical part of our fall spiritual growth campaign. It is a key element. And, hey, you only have to commit to six weeks. Just give it a try!