A Note From Pastor John
Pastor John Gorin (photo: Gordon Kelly Photography)
by Pastor John Gorin
[GG Encourager, Winter 2010]
Q: What is the difference between a Growth Group (GG) and a book club or civic organization like the Kiwanis Club? After all, each of these groups has a specific purpose, has voluntary membership, and provides a setting where people can develop friendships over shared interests.
A: True, a Growth Group shares some of the features with other group-oriented organizations; however, what sets the GG apart is that it is a community that God has brought together for the purpose of glorifying Him as we demonstrate our love for one another. We meet together regularly so that we grow in love and, thus, increasingly reflect that we are Christ’s disciples. Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Read more 
From Independence to Interdependence
One Group’s Journey of Prayer and Support
By Ming-Huey Jeng
[GG Encourager, Summer 2009]
In a world where being independence and self-reliance are encouraged, Margaret (not her real name) knows all too well the pressures of being able to stand alone. “I’m very independent. I don’t rely on people and I don’t like to inconvenience anyone,” she says. This sense of self-reliance, perhaps instilled in her at a young age after her parents’ divorce, was perpetuated when she moved to California alone and landed a job at a prestigious technology firm. “Part of me was overworking because it’s a great company, a great opportunity, and it looked great on paper. So I was doing whatever it took to prove myself and to find my worth in my work. But the job was killing me, literally, and I didn’t know it.” Read more
Recap in pictures of the 2011 Growth Group Annual Picnic
The annual picnic is a great opportunity for Growth Groups to come together as a wider community—and this year we partnered with other ALCF Fellowship Ministries (Men's, Women's, Single's, Young Adults, OASIS, and MTO). It was a blessing to meet new people from the ALCF congregation!
We were blessed with an abundance of food as each person brought a dish to the potluck picnic.
Fun was to be had for all, including a badminton court that was set up for the kids.
But the picnic could not have been a success without our faithful volunteers.
