January 2020, Starts the Next Session of Resurrection Life Group Ministry
Watch the bulletin for sign-up dates.
We offer Life Groups for adults in many Stages of Life
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Life Group #1 Winter 2020 Stage of Life: Mid-Lifers Meeting day: Mon 6:00pm Location: At RezLife Church
Leaders: Tim & Cori Hagoort Hosts: Dennis and Julie Angell
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Life Group #2 Winter 2020Life Group #2 Stage of Life: Parents/Young Families Meeting day: Fri 7:00PM Location: Ithaca
Leaders: Toby & Ashley Pickelmann Hosts: Walter & Amy Ferrall
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Life Group #3 Winter 2020 Stage of Life: 55+Meeting day: Every Other Tuesday 10 am Location: At RezLife Church
Leaders: Jim & Gail Horvat Host: Sandy Wilson
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Life Group #4 Winter 2020 Stage of Life: All Ages Meeting day: Tues 6:30 pm Location: Ashley
Leaders: Roger & Marsha Numerich
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Life Group #5 Winter 2020 Stage of Life: All ages Meeting day: Tues at 6:00PM Location: St. Louis
Leaders: Dave and Debbie Shiffer Hosts: Dale and Beth Anne Linton
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Life Group #6 Winter 2020 Stage of Life: All Ages Meeting day: Tues. 6:30pm Location: Mount Pleasant
Leaders & Hosts: Dale & Sharon Jennings
Every Sunday morning RLC Kids is open for children in the community. RLC Kids is the place to be for Children in Mid-Michigan
- Creation Kids (Nursery): For children age newborn through 1 year. It meets both physical and spiritual needs of toddlers through singing, teaching, and playing.
- Little Beacons: For children age 2 – 4. Combines singing, playing, and teaching to develop godly character.
- Promise Seekers: For children age 5 – 1st grade. Includes singing,teaching, and lots of fun! Our goal is to equip children with the fundamental truths of God’s Word.
- Extreame Diciples: For children in 2nd – 6th grade. Combines fun activities and sound teaching from the Word of God.
We want our children to know and experience that God is real, He is always on their side, and it’s fun to be a Christian.
The Encounter Youth Program at Resurrection Life Church is a powerful ministry for Gratiot County’s High School and Middle School students. Students attending Encounter youth are encouraged to Encounter God, Follow God and Share God with others.
Students 7th-12th Grade meet Sunday afternoon from 3:00 PM-5: 00 PM in the Encounter game room and lounge here at Resurrection Life Church for weekly youth ministry. The whole first half hour is dedicated to hangout, allowing students to have a constant outlet for positive Christian influences and opportunities to grow spiritually. At 3:30 the programmed part of the afternoon begins led by Youth Directors Zack and Jensen Schmidt. Students lead a large part of the evening from praise and worship to small groups and other activities.
The Encounter Youth Team supports students in their Christian walk through facilitating youth gatherings, special events, small groups and more.
Our Mission:
Engage Women’s Ministry exists to equip women of all ages to connect with God on a deeper level, to Engage in real, meaningful relationships with each other and share the authentic love of Jesus with others, so they can live fully as the woman God created them to be.
Engage Women’s Ministry is an opportunity to touch the lives of women by the power of Jesus Christ. To support women in their relationship with God so that through spiritual friendships, mentoring, modeling, and teaching one another, we might experience the freedom to become all that God intends us to be. This exciting ministry touches the lives of women in varied and creative ways. It is our goal to reach beyond comfort zones to embrace women of all ages, race, professions and social standings to build an environment for women to connect with women and feel God’s love in a very real way.
FORGE is a ministry for men of all ages and backgrounds who are being shaped by God into the men they want to be, so they can live the life they were born to live.
Forge meets at 6:30 pm on Thursday, every other week.
Proverbs 26:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Like iron sharpening iron, Forge Men's Ministry is all about developing strong men in the Lord.
Pastor Rick wants to build an army of men (Minutemen); ready at all times to go to battle for each other, for their family, and for the Lord.
The Forge
Definition of forge - make or shape (a metal object) by heating it in a fire or furnace and hammering it in order to create (something) strong and enduring.The forging process improves some of the properties of metal, such as impact toughness, fatigue strength, and tensile ductility.
Impact Toughness
Impact Toughness is the ability of a material to absorb energy without fracturing. It is also defined as a material's resistance to fracture when stressed.
Tensile Ductility
Tensile Ductility is a measure of a metal's ability to withstand tensile stress—any force that pulls the two ends of a material away from each other. ... The term "ductile" literally means that a metal substance is capable of being stretched out into a thin wire, and it does not become weaker or become brittle in the process.
Fatigue Strength
is the highest stress that a material can withstand for a given number of cycles without breaking — called also endurance strength.
We have all seen steel used to sharpen a blade, to give it an edge, and make it fit to do its work.
Hebrews 10:24 Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.
Isaiah 35:3-4 Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful hearted, be strong and do not fear.
What does a Forge meeting look like?
Forge is a 60 to 90 minute bi-weekly meeting with the following elements:
- Food & fellowship
- Bible study and discussion
- Prayer
Other elements of Forge
- Periodic morning breakfasts, conferences and retreats
- Occasional service (helps) projects for each other, the church and the community
The Men’s Ministry at Resurrection Life Church is passionate about raising up godly men, helping them become the best they can be as fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, friends, employers, employees or whatever role they may find themselves in. The men meet regularly for Bible study and times offellowship here at the church and off-site. Events are scheduled throughout the year that gives men the opportunity to seek God and grow together.
Believers School of Excellence has returned and we are getting back to our roots. The original textbooks, are back. Teachers from the original BSE are back, and the connection with God is stronger than ever.
Wednesday, January 22nd, 2020 is our Winter starting date, and we will meet every Wednesday following, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, for 13 weeks.
Introduction to Believers School of Excellence
Here at Resurrection Life Mid Michigan it is our mission to help you live the life you were born to live, to find your place in the Body of Christ and be all that you can be as a Christian. It is only through this, that you will ultimately be satisfied and fulfilled in your life.
Believer’s School of Excellence is for men and women who desire to develop in Godliness, integrity, and excellence.
It is a school that consists of three challenging and exciting classes that will propel you into spiritual growth.
- Class I Foundations for Christian Growth
- Class II God’s Plan for Christian Service
- Class III Discipleship Training
These classes are to be taken in sequential order, they will help believers to find their purpose and place in the Body of Christ.
These classes will assist you in receiving all God has for you and help you accomplish all that He has planned for you.
Who can take it? Anyone that desires to grow spiritually and learn what it really means to be a follower of Christ. (You must be in the 7th grade or above).
Class registrations start one month prior to beginning of class
Registration cost:
$100 First Applicant
$50 Additional Immediate Family Members
$50 Repeat Class
Childcare:
Childcare for kids newborn to 6th grade is available at no further cost to students.
Winter 2020 Classes:
CLASS I Foundations for Christian Growth
Course Description:
The Foundations or course is the first program of study in the Believer’s School of Excellence. This course is designed to give the student of God’s Word a rudimentary knowledge of Bible doctrine and spiritual truth upon which to build a life of Christian service.
Lessons include:
- The Bible - Word of God
- The Nature of God
- Righteousness - Gift of God
- the New Creation
- Baptism in the Holy Spirit
- The renewed Mind
- Freedom From Sin
- Faith - Rest of God
- Faith’s Confession
- Healing - The Will of God
Class objectives:
We will teach students:
- to understand God's Word, the Bible, is true and trustworthy!
- We have to align with God's Word.
- by excepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we are made righteous.
- Not by what we have done but by what He has done!
- all things are received by faith in God's word through Jesus Christ!
- But we must know the Word of God.
Textbooks:
- Foundations for Christian Growth by Ron Tucker
- The Believer’s Authority by Kenneth Hagin
- Christianity: Hoax or History by Josh McDowell
Students are also required to study course curriculum, complete homework, memorize verses, and recite books of the Bible.
CLASS II God's Plan for Christian Service
Course Description:
The God’s Plan course or is the second program of study in the Believer’s School of Excellence. This course is designed to give the student of God’s Word a rudimentary knowledge of Bible doctrine and spiritual truth upon which to build a life of Christian service.
Lessons include:
- Spiritual Maturity - Useful to God
- The Love Nature - Imitators of God
- Guidance - Led by the Spirit of God
- The Prayer Life - Abiding in Christ
- Praise & Petition - Fruitful for God
- Prayer Warfare - Co-Laborers with God
- Prosperity - Abundant in God
- Spiritual Gifts - The Plan of God’s Spiritual Gifts - Manifestations of the Spirit
- Gifts to the Church - The Design of God
- Christian Service - Minister of God
- Evangelism - Witness for God.
Class objectives:
We will teach students:
- that it is our responsibility to mature and without that we will be of little use to the kingdom of God
- as believers we are expected to take up our position in the body, according to the gifts we have been given each member.
- to learn how to pray and the value of prayer.
Textbooks:
- God’s Plan for Christian Service by Ron Tucker, and Rick Hufton
- Ministry of Helps Handbook by Buddy Bell
Students are also required to study course curriculum, complete homework, memorize verses, and recite books of the Bible.
Class III Discipleship Training
Course Description:
Designed to train believers to do the work of the ministry.
This class is for those who want to seriously mature in their walk with God. It demands tremendous commitment, but if successfully completed, your life will never be the same!
The Discipleship Training class or 'DT' is taught by the Senior Pastor Rick Lopez
The Discipleship Training class is required for all church leadership.
Lessons include:
- Vision & Tennants of Faith
- Appointment With God
- Advanced Bible Study Techniques Torah Time
- Ordering Your Life Priorities
- Loyalty & Faithfulness
- Discovering and Functioning in Your Spiritual Gifts
- Discovering and Functioning in Your Spiritual Gifts Continued
- Ministrering to Others
- Stewardship (Tithing)
- Church Government and Submission
- Developing The Leader Within You
Textbooks:
- Seven Practices of Effective Ministry by Andy Stanley, Lane Jones, and Reggie Joiner
- The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet by Michael L. Munk
- Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald
- Obedience in Finances by Kenneth Hagin Jr.
- How to Relate to Your Pastor by Dr. Mark T. Barclay
- The Real Truth About Tithing by Dr. Mark T. Barclay
- Tozer on Christian Leadership Devotion by A.W. Tozer
Resurrection Life Group Ministry
Living Life Together!
We invite you to join a Life Group!
Individuals and couples from Resurrection Life Church and the community meet once a week in homes around the area.
The groups are designed to promote:
- Personal Encouragement
- Relational Connection
- Evangelism/Outreach
- Mentoring and Getting Biblical Answers To Real Life Questions
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how to stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Acts 2:42-47
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Resurrection Life Group Ministry exists to help people develop meaningful, long-lasting relationships that facilitate personal growth in living the life they are born to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Resurrection Life Group ministry is one of the most important ways to begin growth and continue growing as a Christian. These groups provide a place for people to have fellowship, develop close relationships and to learn and grow. They also help non-Christians learn more about what it means to be a Christian.
Becoming a part of a Life Group is critical in the process of discipleship because it’s a foundational place where we can share Christian love with one another in practical ways and learn about the Bible. It’s also a place that offers an ideal environment to develop deeper friendships.
1. What is Life Group?
A Life Group is a home fellowship made up of 10-16 people who meet weekly to share, study and support one another. A trained leader and host lead each group. An average meeting lasts for an hour and a half, followed by light refreshments.
2. How important are Life Groups?
Here at Resurrection Life Church Life Groups are the hub of our ministry. They're the place where the real ministry of the church takes place as we study God's Word, while supporting and sharing our lives with one another. We believe that meeting together on a regular basis is time well spent.
3. When and where do Life Groups meet?
Life Groups meet on various nights of the week in homes throughout Gratiot County and beyond. Most evening groups meet 7-9 pm. The daytime groups meeting times vary.
4. How long do Life Groups last?
Each Life Group session lasts 9 to 11 weeks. We have Fall, Winter & Spring sessions. At the end of each session, you will have the choice of staying in the same group, trying a new group or even taking a break. Most groups stay together throughout the entire year. Life Groups do not meet formally mid-June through August although they are encouraged to continue in relationship by sharing meals and summer activities.
5. What is the required commitment?
Joining a Life Group requires a 9 to 11 week commitment to attend weekly meetings. Obviously, allowances are made for sickness, vacation, work conflicts and other special events, but not much more. This commitment is the key to a strong Life Group. You have the first three weeks to attend the group to make sure it's a good fit for you.
6. What will we study?
Most of the studies are based on the previous weekend's message. These "sermon-based" Life Groups are built on a group discussion about Sunday’s message. A brief video of Pastor Rick sharing a snapshot nugget from the message will be viewed. The Life Group leader will then facilitate a discussion about the message.
7. What does it cost?
Few things in life are free and Life Groups are no exception! The cost of Life Groups is the cost of commitment. During the first meeting, each group will complete a "covenant" together. Part of that commitment is the promise to attend each week and to attend the quarterly church-wide fellowship and do one service project for the year. You have the first three weeks to decide if your group is a good fit for you.
When you join a Life Group, you're promising to attend each week. It's this commitment that makes Life Groups work. We realize it's a big commitment, but it only lasts for 9 - 11 weeks. At the end of each quarter, you have the choice of recommitting for another quarter, trying a new group, or taking a break from Life Groups altogether.
8. What about child care?
Life Groups are for adults only. (Exceptions can be made for nursing newborns, up to six months.)
For most groups we leave it up to each family to work out their own childcare with the exception of our young families group. The young families group meets at the church and offers free childcare.
For groups meeting in homes it often works best for families to share a sitter or to swap childcare with another family whose Life Group meets on a different evening.
9. How do I choose a Life Group?
When selecting a group, we strongly recommend you choose a group based on its leader-host team and Station-in-Life (common stage in life), rather than its location. Life Groups do best when members share a common Station-in-Life and other interests with their leaders, hosts, and other group members. In the end, you'll find it's worth the drive!
Our groups are divided in the following Station-in-Life (stage of life) groupings:
- Couples/Young Families
- Parents of Teens
- Empty Nesters
- All Ages
Remember, these Station-in-Life groupings are meant to help you self-select an appropriate group for you. They are not intended to box you in.
If you have any questions (especially if you are new to Resurrection Life Church), please don't hesitate to call the church, and we will gladly assist you. Keep in mind that it might take two or three groups before you find the perfect fit, but don't worry, you'll find it!
10. How do I sign up for a Life Group?
Before each Life Group quarter begins there are three ways to sign up for a group - online, at our weekend service, or by calling the church office. During the weekend service, Life Group leaders are available at the sign-up tables to help you choose a group and answer any questions.
There are three sign-up weekends before the beginning of our Fall Quarter in September, and two sign-up weekends before our Winter Quarter in January and our Spring Quarter in April.
11. Are there Life Groups for teenagers?
Yes, Encounter Youth Ministry will offer small groups for students.
Resurrection Life Church is a house of prayer. Prayer is centric between God and man. A specialized team of prayer warriors is in place to intercede for real life situations and needs.
The Prayer team of Resurrection Life Church is made up of highly trained believers, ready and willing to stand in the prayer of agreement with anyone in need. Following Sunday morning church services the Alter Prayer team is stationed at the front of the Sanctuary. The Alter Prayer team is often called on by Pastor Lopez to pray for individuals and families during alter calls and emergency prayer hotline calls.
Another extension of the Prayer team is handling all prayer requests made via prayer request cards and calls to the church office. This team of intercessors partner together in faith to see God do miracles.
Prayer is not only necessary for the survival of individual believers, it is essential for the church as well. Prayer is the heartbeat that keeps the blood flowing through the church system.
Believers School of Excellence sign-ups are happening right now. Now is the time to start your journey of excellence by enrolling for the first class: Foundations For Christian Growth.
For those who have completed the first class, we now offer the next step toward excellence: God's Plan For Christian Service.
For those who have completed the first class, we now offer the next step toward excellence: Discipleship Training. For more information visit the Information Table at Resurrection Life Church.
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Forge Men's Ministry is a ministry for men of all ages and backgrounds who are being shaped by God into the men they want to be, so they can live the life they are born to live.
Read more
Engage Women’s Ministry is an opportunity to touch the lives of women by the power of Jesus Christ. To support women in their relationship with God so that through spiritual friendships, mentoring, modeling, and teaching one another, we might experience the freedom to become all that God intends us to be.
Read more
Life Groups Begin April 1st! Check out all the life groups we have to offer and find people to live the life we were born to live, together.
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