GROWTH GROUPS
It is our vision at Ephrata Community Church that everyone would be saved, rooted, and grounded in Jesus Christ. We also understand that none of us drift toward spiritual growth. It doesn’t just happen automatically for any of us. Therefore, our Growth Groups are intentionally designed as a tool for you to grow as a follower of Jesus Christ.
The Growth Groups run throughout the year in three semesters—winter, spring and fall—covering a variety of topics. We invite you to take a step and commit to a Growth Group that will further equip you to live a victorious and fruitful Christian life.
MONDAY EVENINGS
SEXUAL INTEGRITY: 101 FOR MEN
Hosted by Thrive Counseling Center
We all desire sexual integrity, whether it’s for ourselves or others. But we struggle with knowing where to start. This 8-week video course is a great place to start!
Each 40–50 minute video session includes:
- A deep dive into the factors that contribute to unwanted sexual behaviors
- Interviews with experts in the field of sexual health
- Testimonies of those transformed through a safe, grace-filled process
- Practical tools and strategies that lead to lasting health
Mike Wenger and Lauren (Patches) Keller, along with small group leaders, will be facilitating this video course for men, women, students, pastors, lay leaders, parents, and more. It’s for anyone who wants to find freedom from the effects of unwanted sexual behaviors or betrayal. This course will show how shame and grace affect the healing process, give understanding of addiction and betrayal trauma, and get you started on the path to sexual health.
This growth group is a mix of watching a video, small group discussion, and going through a workbook, all facilitated by two trained and licensed counselors.
Commitment: 8 weeks
Date: Monday evenings from February 12–April 1
Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Location: ECC Conference Rooms
Facilitator: Thrive Counseling Center | Lauren Keller & Mike Wenger
SEXUAL INTEGRITY: 101 FOR WOMEN
Hosted by Thrive Counseling Center
We all desire sexual integrity, whether it’s for ourselves or others. But we struggle with knowing where to start. This 8-week video course is a great place to start!
Each 40–50 minute video session includes:
- A deep dive into the factors that contribute to unwanted sexual behaviors
- Interviews with experts in the field of sexual health
- Testimonies of those transformed through a safe, grace-filled process
- Practical tools and strategies that lead to lasting health
Mike Wenger and Lauren (Patches) Keller, along with small group leaders, will be facilitating this video course for men, women, students, pastors, lay leaders, parents, and more. It’s for anyone who wants to find freedom from the effects of unwanted sexual behaviors or betrayal. This course will show how shame and grace affect the healing process, give understanding of addiction and betrayal trauma, and get you started on the path to sexual health.
This growth group is a mix of watching a video, small group discussion, and going through a workbook, all facilitated by two trained and licensed counselors.
Commitment: 8 weeks
Date: Monday evenings from February 12–April 1
Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Location: ECC Conference Rooms
Facilitator: Thrive Counseling Center | Lauren Keller & Mike Wenger
KINGDOM MARKETPLACE
Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or worker in the marketplace, we all have a role and mandate to bring Kingdom impact. Because every person in our society interacts with the marketplace at some level, Christians have a huge opportunity to impact people and culture at our places of work and trade. In the Kingdom Marketplace growth group, we will discover our unique life purpose, how to apply that at our workplace, as well as learn to influence our workplace with Kingdom culture.
Commitment: 6 weeks
Date: Monday evenings from February 26–April 1
Time: 7:00–8:15 p.m.
Location: ECC Conference Rooms
Facilitator: Floyd Zook
APOLOGETICS: DEFENDING YOUR FAITH TO ANYONE
This apologetics course is designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to confidently defend their faith in conversations with anyone. From historical arguments for God's existence to evaluating the reliability of the Bible and addressing the complexities of morality and the problem of evil, participants will gain a solid foundation for articulating and defending their beliefs.
Commitment: 9 weeks
Date: Monday evenings from February 12–April 15
(No class March 25)
Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Location: ECC Conference Rooms
Facilitator: Mark Lamontia
THURSDAY EVENINGS
INTRO TO MISSIONS
The longing of God is for every nation and individual to find their way to Him through Jesus, and those who have personally encountered Him become His central means to fulfill this desire. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, individuals are commissioned to carry the Gospel everywhere they go. This is the essence of missions.
In this 6-week growth group, you will see and understand God's heart for the lost from scripture, learn about the missional moves of God throughout church history, and what remains today for the worldwide Church to accomplish the great commission including the specific approach implemented by ECC.
Commitment: 6 weeks
Date: Thursday evenings from February 29–April 4
Time: 7:00–8:15 p.m.
Location: ECC Conference Rooms
Facilitator: David Burr
GRIEFSHARE
GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.
This support group will help you process the grief of losing a spouse, child, or family member. Each session shares a video and provides time for group discussion.
Commitment: 10 weeks
Date: Thursday evenings from February 15–April 18
Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Location: ECC Conference Rooms
Facilitator: Aleesa Groff
FREEDOM
It is for freedom that Christ set us free. These words are penned by Paul in Galatians 5:1, and Jesus, in John 10:10, declared His purpose to bring abundant life to humanity. Picture this—living a life of not merely existing, but embracing the freedom designed by God for you. Regardless of life's challenges, freedom is attainable through Christ, and this Group is here to guide you in experiencing it.
Commitment: 6 weeks
Date: Thursday evenings from February 15–March 21
Time: 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Location: ECC Conference Rooms
Facilitators: Annette Gehman
BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR HEALING
The Group offers a comprehensive exploration of the biblical teachings on healing, encompassing both Old and New Testament perspectives. You will acquire fresh perspectives on the importance of this gift, along with an understanding of its practical applications in the Christian faith and within the local church. The group also aims to address hesitations or uncertainties while providing a space for respectful discussions and personal reflections on this spiritual gift.
Commitment: 5 weeks
Date: Thursday evenings from February 15–March 14
Time: 7:00–8:15 p.m.
Location: ECC Conference Rooms
Facilitators: Mark Calkins