I still remember the day when I first arrived at St Andrew’s Church 10 years ago.  My wife Keziah and I were sitting at the back of the Old Church during a Sunday service. We came every Sunday and left after the service. As we were sitting next to different people each week, we found it difficult to get to know other congregation members deeply. It was mainly a polite nod; a “hi” and a “bye”.  We just came for the service, and then left for lunch or dinner afterwards. This continued for a few months, and we barely got to meet any friends!

Eventually, we decided that enough was enough – we needed to get involved in a Growth Group and get to meet some friends. It was then that I first joined the Friday Growth Group and have stayed in one since. 

Growth Groups are small groups of 8-15 people where we meet each week to study the Bible and pray together, supporting one another in our walk with God. It is a fantastic way to get to meet other fellow Christians, to build relationships and share life together. In some ways, it is like how the 12 disciples came together to follow Jesus, and they shared life for many years.

These days, our church runs the Partnership Course to welcome people and to help them join a Growth Group. The course gives information about the different Growth Group options at church, so that participants can find a group that matches their background, availability, location, or other preferences.

If you have not yet joined one of the Growth Groups at St Andrew’s Church, I would certainly encourage you to do so. 

It is not just for our own benefit, but it is also a great way to serve God and our fellow brothers and sisters when they are in need. Relationships do not happen overnight; they take time to build up and a Growth Group is the place to do that at St Andrew’s.