When Small Groups launched in August 2021, it had been over a year since they had last met. Our church family was eager and ready for community after the pandemic placed everyone into isolation, flipped schedules upside down, and put serving opportunities to a halt. As soon as Small Groups connected again, the goal was to send them out quickly to begin serving the community together. Many Small Groups, like the Vaughn & Hall Small Group, were ready to get out and serve again simply because of the need for people to serve and an eagerness to share the Gospel with our community.
After finishing the Missions curriculum in Spring 2022, Paige Dowdle agreed to be the Missions Coordinator for her Small Group. This is a position within the Small Group that communicates the needs of the ministry(s) that they choose to serve together and seeks ways to be creative in helping local ministry partners as they serve our community. Paige said, “I love missions, and I love ministry. When the position in our group came open, I felt a strong call from The Lord that this would be what He would have me do.” The role helps establish a more personalized relationship with the local ministries that we partner with whether it’s assisting with current ministry needs or encouraging the leaders of the ministry. The Vaugh & Hall Small Group has been together for over 20 years. Although their members may have changed, their dedication to mission work has not.
Paige has seen how serving together as a Small Group has strengthened the relationships in the group as they work together in sharing the Gospel. When asked how serving together as a Small Group has helped them grow spiritually and as a community, she answered, “some of the best relationships I have in my life today are based on our love for the Savior in serving in ministry, and missions, together as we hold each other accountable in our walk with the Lord.” Serving together is more than just helping those in need. It’s an opportunity to grow individually and collectively as you selflessly give your time for the betterment of others’ lives. They see a world with urgent needs and a Savior. The group seeks to honor God with their time by serving together and putting their faith in action.
Over the years, they have served with several ministries together including Miracle Hill, Samaritan’s Purse, TOTAL Ministries, prison ministries, the shut-in ministry, and more. Many people in the group also serve ministries individually and through mission trips throughout the year. Paige takes the lead in creating and sharing a monthly newsletter with her group that shows opportunities for missions, information about unreached people groups, and urgent needs in the community. They want to encourage other Small Groups to be missionally focused by being the example of showing how it can change the lives of those that are served and by unifying the Small Group as they practice and learn how to share the Gospel together. What would it look like if all 90+ Small Groups at Church at The Mill were serving faithfully in our community and committed to the advancement of the Gospel?
Our Missions Team is here to help you get connected in serving our community. If you would like to know more about opportunities for your Small Group to serve together you can contact our Missions Administrative Assistant, Ashlee Mahoney at ashlee@churchatthemill.com.
