Cell Groups

Amazonian Wednesdays 🌴

July 2004
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I went for a visit last night. Eight new cell groups were opening, and I wanted to be a part of the excitement. I went to see two of the welcome celebrations that the leaders of the new cells were holding. 

The two that I observed will give you a good insight into the struggles and triumphs of a typical cell group leader in our JIEL youth ministry. 

I first dropped in on a meeting led by Mari. Mari is a twenty year old university student studying to become an elementary school teacher. She works hard at school and hard for the Lord. This new cell group she is starting will be the third one under her supervision. The night before the new cell was to begin, she was met with the unexpected news that the woman who had committed to opening her home for the meetings was backing out.

Mari scrambled to find another house to work with. Yesterday, she and her two helpers started walking around the selected neighborhood mid-afternoon, inviting young people to come in the evening. However, apparently because the substitute house is not very accessible, no one came to the brand new meeting except Mari and the two helpers. In spite of this, Mari maintained a positive confession. She opened up the Word and encouraged her two helpers, assuring them that this cell group is going to grow huge with time.

I then walked two small blocks away to the celebration organized by Beatriz. Beatriz had convinced my brother-in-law, Pastor Pablo, to lend her one of our large speakers for the event. She had invited other leaders and cell groups to help her, and organized an elaborate program of choreography, drama, comedy, snacks, prizes, and of course, the preaching of the Word. She had sent out fancy invitations that week to many in the neighborhood.

In anticipation of a large crowd coming, this cell group did not even meet in a house. They were given permission to Continue reading Opening Night!