BY STAN PRIEBE

Northview Church’s Carmel campus encourages each member of its family to recognize there is a next step to take in our Christian walk. As a result, each person will hopefully be led to a Next Steps ministry.

Which Next Step is right for you? How do you get started? How do you take that next step into a Next Steps ministry?

First, you need to know where you are in your Christian journey and where you are in your life journey. Some Next Steps are geared toward those who are at a particular point in their life journey. Others are designed for those who are at a particular point in their faith journey. Some are right for anyone no matter where on either journey they may be.

Did you pray with Lead Pastor Steve Poe to receive Christ? After reading The Purpose Driven Life your next step is baptism. Visit the Information Counter during weekend services to learn when the next Baptism class will be held.

Are you considering membership with Northview Church? The membership class explains the membership process and provides an opportunity to ask questions about what it means to be a member of Northview.

Are you new to Northview and want to know more about us? Starting Point will help you get connected by getting a tour of the campus, meet others who are also new, and learn about Northview. The class lasts three weeks and is presented in a laid-back setting.

Are you a single adult 30 years or older? If you’re looking to connect with others and read the whole story of the Bible then A Friend’s House might be your next step. Information can be found at http://www.meetup.com/afriendshouse.

Are you planning to get married? Becoming One premarital class is designed to help get your marriage off to a good start. Couples take the PREPARE relationship assessment and are connected with marriage mentor couples from Northview. Couples meet with the mentors up to six times during the course of their engagement. The two-day weekend experience is offered several times throughout the year. The Friday night and Saturday in-class instruction is combined with couple interaction and workbook exercises from Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts. All couples planning to get married at Northview are required to take the class, but all engaged couples are welcome to attend.

Do you want to know more about the Christian faith? Alpha consists of a series of discussions in small group settings, addressing key issues relating to the Christian faith. Alpha is designed for anyone regardless of where they are on their faith journey. Even if you don’t believe in God Alpha is for you.

Are you the parent of a child under the age of 36 months? Twice a year Northview offers Baby Dedication, a special portion of the weekend service where parents can dedicate their children to God. A class is required in advance to help parents understand the full meaning of this dedication. Watch your weekend worship program for the next registration as spots fill quickly.

Are you divorced and feeling confused or isolated? Divorce Care may be your next step. Divorce Care groups meet weekly to learn from the experts, support each other, and get help rebuilding lives. Each week, the group will watch a DVD and then spend time discussing the video and what is going on in each participant’s life.

Are you searching for healing following an abortion? G.R.A.C.E. (God’s Real Acceptance, Compassion, and Encouragement) is for you. This confidential Bible study uses the Bible and the book: Forgiven and Set Free to help women find freedom from guilt, secrecy, and grief following an abortion.

Would you like to get away for a few days from your sometimes hectic life to spend time getting closer to God? If you’ve made a commitment to Jesus as your personal savior, Disciple Walk provides an opportunity for you to seek and understand God’s love and grow in your response to his life. You’ll leave with a desire, knowledge, and tools to make a difference in your world.

The next Men’s Discipleship Walk is March 1 through March 4. The next Women’s Discipleship Walk is March 8 through March 11.

Do you want to strengthen your marriage? Dynamic Marriage is a nine week educational and interactive course for both engaged and married couples. The course addresses damaging behaviors, conflict, and meeting each other’s needs.

Do you want to be more physically active? Hilltop Fitness offers a variety of fitness classes such as Zumba, Zumbatomic, Turbo Kick, PiYo, Teen Dance Fitness, and Walk, Talk, and Pray. Hilltop Sports offers softball, aerobics, baseball, volleyball, basketball, flag football, and mini marathon training.

Are you a mom? Moms In Touch exists to impact schools and children worldwide by gathering moms to pray for their children. Mom2Mom is designed for women who have children age 5 and under and are interested in developing relationships with other moms, want to grow spiritually, and like to have fun-filled evenings.

Are you having trouble dealing with some baggage from your past? Hope for a Day wants to help women who have been affected by another person’s compulsive sexual behavior. It is a 12-step recovery program adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous. On Eagles’ Wings helps women with an abuse background, whether the abuse is sexual, physical, or emotional. The Bible is used to find hope and healing.

Do you know what gifts God has given you and how use them? S.H.A.P.E. helps you discover and understand your God-given gifts and passions and assist you in finding opportunities to put your gifts and passions to use.

Do you desire to be a lifelong learner? Three times each year a variety of classes is offered through Northview University. The classes meet once a week for six weeks. Classes cover specific books of the Bible and topical studies to help you grow spiritually.

Are you a man who desires to have God be a bigger part of your life? Bible studies and accountability groups meet regularly to address topics many men struggle with.

Do you need prayer or like to pray for others? The Prayer ministry meets every Tuesday evening from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the chapel where you can be prayed for and where you can pray for others. Members of the prayer team are present in the chapel after the Saturday service and between the Sunday morning services.

Are you in a job transition? Christian Employment Outreach (CEO) is available to help without cost. CEO encourages and motivates those in employment transition by teaching effective job searching skills, providing networking opportunities, and promoting connections with other resources. If you’re looking for prayer, motivation, instruction, and job leads then CEO is for you. CEO meets at Indiana Wesleyan University, 3777 Priority Way South Drive in Indianapolis on Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.Unless otherwise noted, more information can be obtained on the Northview Church events calendar: http://www.northviewchurch.us/carmel_ministriesor by calling the office at (317) 846-2884.

As long as we’re alive our faith journey will continue. There is always a next step. One of the Next Steps ministries is your next step.