#WeAreFirstPres: Fun + Faith
Every Sunday afternoon, something special happens all across Orlando. Leaders from First Pres’ Student Ministry gather with High School students in coffee shops, parks, and backyards all over the city with one purpose: to deepen their relationships with Jesus. Termed, “Grow Groups”, they’re becoming a regular spiritual practice in the lives of our high school students.
At first glance, you’ll see a group of guys playing Spikeball at Lake Eola or a group of ladies laughing together over a meal. But as you listen in, you’ll find that the Spirit is constantly moving through these simple moments.
Senior Boys Leader, David Allen, hadn’t planned to lead a group, but when the need arose, he chose to serve faithfully. Their time together has been fun and incredibly rich. Parents have been blessed to witness David’s consistent leadership reinforcing a strong foundation of faith as their sons prepare for college and life beyond school.
Each time they gather, Grow Groups have an objective, but leaders invite God to guide their time and interactions. As a result, they witness His glory, and students see it too. Abby Prather, an Orlando Heart of the City Fellow, recounted a moment she experienced during her very first meeting. “We were finishing up for the evening, and one of our girls who was newer to the faith wrote a reflection in her journal around what she learned — ‘I learned that Jesus wants to know me and that He loves me.’ We were blown away!”
While providing time for the intentional reading of scripture and prayer, these gatherings allow students to become close friends with people they’ve never met before. The Bible is clear that God wants us to gather together regularly, and as these groups have been meeting, he’s blessed their time together. “Anytime you are creating a space for people to come together and talk about Jesus, it’s always a win,” says Fran Gray, Student Ministry Coordinator.
Learn more about First Pres Student Ministry.
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