Small Group #31 – New Group in MD
As Small Groups Sign-Up’s get started this winter, we wanted to tell you about a few of the options. Here are a few words from Stephanie Hurter, one of the leaders of Small Group #31
Last year this time, a few members in Restoration came together to create RILA, the Restoration Immigration Legal Aid Clinic. This clinic grew from the hearts of many in Restoration who want to see the power of God’s love translated into concrete acts of mercy and grace in the community around us. Prayer and vision lead to change.
God is yet again stirring our hearts to spread His kindness in tangible ways. For the past few years Restoration has been prayerfully considering church planting in the Metro DC area. This year, we are beginning to take more concrete steps towards making this a reality — and we need you!
Join Katie and Darin Hamlin and myself this trimester as we gather each week to pray for God to move and guide in Restoration’s church planting efforts. We know that eight years ago God called a unique group of men, women, and children to form Restoration and we have faith that God may be now calling us to build on this work and form a new church family to minister in a different community. Will you join us?
Yes, we are meeting in Takoma Park, Maryland. SO FAR AWAY?? Actually, not really, but I get why it feels that way. I lived in Northern Virginia for many years and then through a variety of life circumstances and God’s leading, I moved to Montgomery County, Maryland. I remember thinking that Maryland felt so different and so far away. After moving here, I not only realized how close it was to many of my old haunts and friends, but also how much I actually came to care about my neighbors here in Montgomery County (MoCo).
This small group is not about asking folks to church plant in MoCo — we don’t know where God is calling Resto yet. But, it is about asking us to consider taking risks, stretching ourselves beyond the familiar and comfortable and waiting for God to show up. Ask Jason, Natalie or Michelle or anyone on the RILA team and they will tell you RILA didn’t happen easily. It took a lot of commitment, hard work, prayer, and tears, and still does. God’s work is rarely easy. He asks a lot of us, but it is in these moments of faithfulness that God loves to show up in big ways.
By coming to this small group you aren’t committing to join the church plant, just adding your voice to ours asking God to make clear his will and to stir in our hearts the desire to follow that will. What an awesome opportunity to directly influence Restoration’s future!
We’ll be meeting at the Hamlin’s House in Takoma Park, MD on Friday nights at 7:30 to 9pm. Come a bit early if you want a bite to eat. All are welcome. Come join us!
Interested in joining this group? Sign up here
