Meaningful Connections

Life Groups | by Naki Theo

Last November I attended one of our Regional LifeGroup events which are special gatherings that provide a venue for multiple groups who share the same affinity to meet together in a larger context. In this particular case the affinity was Africans in Lakewood and there were about 200 people from 14 different LifeGroups. Some of the countries represented were Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. It was a night of eating, singing and just plain having fun. New friendships were started and old ones strengthened. Sharing the same faith in Christ and similarities in culture brought an excitement to the evening. Most everyone left that night thinking about how they could share this excitement with those at Lakewood and others in our community who do not yet attend a church.

It was wonderful to see in action how a church as large and diverse as Lakewood can provide such a meaningful connection. Being full blooded Greek and raised in a Greek sub culture here in the U.S. but also having lived on the mission field in Mexico for 8 years I understand how rich that type of connection is. That’s what Lakewood LifeGroups are all about, Connecting People and Changing Lives.

Life with Lakewood LifeGroups

Life Groups | by Joel and Victoria Osteen

Life is a group experience. We were created for relationships, for friendships, for family and for growth. When we come together in the unity of our faith in Jesus Christ, we are strengthened and refreshed for our journey on this earth.

Victoria and I are so proud of our LifeGroups’ leaders and volunteers. Every week, all over the city, people are meeting in homes, coffee shops or other public places for Bible study, fellowship, support, and just plain fun in a small group setting. Our LifeGroups give people the opportunity to connect with other Lakewood members in their own part of town during the week. It’s a place where you can share and speak your heart while deepening your walk with God and finding strength in your relationships with other believers.

If you’re new to Lakewood or ready to get plugged in, find a LifeGroup in your area by clicking here. 

Please know that Victoria and I love you and pray for you every single day. We are thankful for you and standing in faith with you for your every need to be met, every hurt to be healed, and for complete restoration in every area of your life!

We look forward to seeing you at a service this weekend! Joel and Victoria Osteen

Making A Difference In Your Neighborhood

Life Groups | by Jason Morriss

LifeGroups can be wonderful places for families to be introduced to the love of Christ for the first time.  I remember meeting a family at a LifeGroup Regional event that had never come to Lakewood.  Their teenage son was finding out that week if the tumor behind his knee was cancerous or benign and we were able to surround this young man and pray for healing.  After we prayed the family was overwhelmed.  All they could say was that they felt happy and that they 'had never been to a party like this one!'  What a beautiful place to connect with people and demonstrate God’s love.

Our desire is for Lakewood LifeGroups to be small lighthouses of hope and love in the neighborhoods where we live.  The love we share is the greatest proof that God is alive in the world today.  LifeGroups are not just for believers.  Express that love to un-churched people you know.  Open your home and make a difference in your neighborhood.

Rejoice and Be Glad!

Life Groups | by Cynthia Orta

Have you ever thought about what it means to “be glad?” The scripture says, “Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  It would have been sufficient to say “let us rejoice in it.”  But why does it say to “be glad” in it? When my son Jonathan was in a car accident a couple of weeks ago, he spun around 180 degrees on I-59, which is one of the busiest highways in America. I was terrified!  As it turned out, not a single scratch was on him or on the body of the car. Immediately, I was filled with gladness and I exhaled a sigh of relief. As I made my way to church that day, I remembered the scripture that says, “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.”

“Gladness” is exhaled and when you exhale you release stress, worry, and fear and are able to replace it with peace.  So next time you are tempted to stress out, “be glad” that you’re alive, “be glad” for your friends and “be glad” for your family; and if you don’t have a family, we’d be GLAD to be yours! 

Small Group DVDs from Lakewood

Life Groups | by Naki Theo

Over the last few years here at Lakewood LifeGroups we’ve had the honor of developing some of our own small group material in DVD format in both English and Spanish.  Featuring our own key leaders Marcos Witt, Lisa Comes and Danilo Montero, this material has been designed to provide our LifeGroup leaders with simple and practical tools needed for a successful small group experience.  Each title consists of a series of short 10 minute teachings, icebreakers, follow-up questions and memory verses for each session as well as general tips for leaders.  We have seen first-hand how these DVD’s have launched the kind of discussion that creates and sustains nurturing and growing LifeGroups.  We are excited to announce that this resource is now available for purchase in our Lakewood Bookstore and on our website.

In Growing Strong Marcos Witt and Lisa Comes talk about some of the key elements to growing in Christ; Faith, Obedience, Patience and Determination among others.  In Better Together Marcos Witt discusses the value of relationships, beginning with God, but also including our relationship with ourselves, our family, and even our neighbors. 

Lakewood is a place of hope and love.  These LifeGroup resources are opportunities to extend those very same values anywhere small groups meet.