Life Groups | by J. Morriss
Monday, July 19, 2010
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Not long after Jesus rose from the dead, some of His followers lost their way. Shaken by the crucifixion and not sure what to do next, many of them left Jerusalem heartbroken. In Luke 24:13 Jesus pops in on a conversation between two such men on the road to Emmaus. We can see now what they could not as they shared their lives with a stranger. That stranger was Jesus. He listened as they talked, wondered, questioned, and retold all that they had seen and heard. They shared a simple human connection and their lives were changed as a result. Jesus was present.
Sharing our journeys with each other and experiencing the real presence of Jesus, the presence we discover when we connect, is the foundation LifeGroups are built on. Our philosophy is simple; when people connect, lives are changed. We are all on the road to Emmaus. When we walk together, He joins us. When we talk together, His words become our own. When we eat together, He is present at our table. Simple connection becomes the very place Christ meets us, and who can remain unchanged after having been in the presence of Jesus!
Please give a warm Lakewood welcome to Jason A. Morriss, LifeGroups Pastor
Life Groups | by Naki Theo
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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We are very happy to welcome Pastor Jason Morriss to the LifeGroup team. We would like you to know him better:
“My family responded to a call to the mission field when I was 8 years old. The beautiful country of Mexico was the context of my childhood, and from a very early age the move of God in that country left a mark on me.
After high school and an internship at Canzion Producciones, I attended Bible School at Christ for the Nations in Dallas and then returned to Mexico with my new bride to co-labor in the local church. Years later, out of obedience to the call of God on my life I completed a master’s degree in theology (M.Div.) in June of 2009.
My passion is to be part of groups and communities of faith seeking to follow Jesus. What better place than here at Lakewood! I will be working with Naki Theo in the development of curriculum and materials for use in the LifeGroup ministry, and with all media communication related to that. Without a doubt we are going to see growth and multiplication, and as new groups form, I will be involved in caring for them. Along with my wife, Alison, and five daughters, I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do with LifeGroups!'
Life Groups | by Naki Theo
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
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I think Lakewood is a wonderful church! The message of hope and encouragement has literally changed millions of lives. The weekend services are always off the chart. The leadership and staff are committed to excellence and integrity. I know people that every week drive more than an hour and a half from every direction of the city to attend the services.
There are so many great churches in Houston and around the world but Lakewood is where I am connected; where since 2002 I have been growing in my spiritual life; where I am serving and giving of what God has given me. And as you know, Lakewood is also a BIG place. Sometimes I hear people say, “it’s so big how do you get to know people?” That’s where Life Groups really shine. Life Groups are all about connecting people. I’m curious, of the following three options, where do you see YOUR biggest need for connection; social, spiritual growth or finding a place to serve God with your talents and abilities?
Life Groups | by Naki Theo
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
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As a pastor, I have the privilege every four months of officiating water baptism. It was my turn this month and one of our Life Group leaders, Juan Sorcini was there. I noticed a group of people with him so I asked what was going on. With a big smile he said it was their Life Group and they were all there to celebrate a very special day for a young man from their group named Eric because he was getting baptized. Later on, Eric told us the story of how God had changed his life.
“My wife and sister had been attending Lakewood for some time. I like a lot of others wanted to keep my life of drugs and alcohol but I started going to the Life Group with my wife. Soon I found myself wanting to do things I had no interest in before like wanting to know more about God, reading the Bible and praying. Early March of 2010 I told everyone in my Life Group I had decided to accept Jesus as my Savior. And now, three months later, I decided to be baptized because I want to follow God. I'm not the same guy that wanted to get up and leave at the end of service when the pastor invites people to be saved.”
We can't always see what God is doing in the hearts of the people around us, like in Eric's case. I encourage you to keep praying for your friends and family and don’t give up believing for them.
Life Groups | by Naki Theo
Monday, May 17, 2010
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I have always enjoyed listening to people’s stories. We all have one, and each one of our stories reflects the uniqueness of who we are as people. In the paragraph that follows you can read a part of Sandra’s story, what happened when she first went to Eduardo y Leticia Flores´ Life Group, how she got connected to the group and to Lakewood, and ultimately how it all changed her life. I hope you enjoy her story as much as I do!
“About a year ago Elena decided to visit our group. Since she had no way to get here she asked her friend Sandra to give her a ride. Sandra agreed, but on the condition that she would not be asked to go in. We remember her words that night, ‘I am only here to drop off my friend who didn’t have a ride…I’m not staying’. We knew that God had brought Sandra here for a reason knowing that He has a purpose for all our lives.
We invited her to stay; she reluctantly accepted our invitation. She sat down on the edge of her chair looking a little uncomfortable but stayed the whole evening, including the snack time afterward. Sandra kept coming every week and one night invited Jesus into her life. She now attends Lakewood and is the one talking about God to her family and coworkers. Elena, who originally asked Sandra for a ride to the Flores’ group, now leads her own Life Group, a group that Sandra attends and serves faithfully.
It has been a great joy for us to see what God has done in Sandra’s life, watching her faith and love toward God grow. Being part of Lakewood Life Groups is a great blessing for us”.
Eduardo and Leticia Flores
Life Group leaders