Ascension Lutheran Church is an expression of the Body of Christ and therefore it is composed of various cells, just like the human body. Our congregation’s ministries can be viewed as a network of Cell Groups, small gatherings of people for spiritual growth, mutual care, and Christian service.

THREE TYPES OF CELL GROUPS

Ascension has three types of cell groups: Caring groups, Learning groups, and Serving groups. Each of our cell groups, from nurture groups to committees, will have the same basic three components in a meeting – caring, learning, and serving, but in different degrees of emphasis, depending on the type of group it is.

For example: In Caring groups, mutual care might  take up 40% of the time, and learning 40% of the time, and service 20% of the time. However, in a Serving group, the balance would lean more toward serving and less toward learning and mutual care.

1. THE CARING GROUPS:
   •  We have many caring groups that we call Nurture groups. Nurture groups meet in homes or at church. They involve some bible study, prayer, and they emphasize building supportive relationships between people. We have couple’s groups, men’s groups (Men’s breakfast, AMEN, and Guys Talking Christ), women’s groups, high school groups, discover groups, new member groups, and we are starting a singles group soon. We often use a 6 week spiritual growth campaign to jumpstart new nurture groups.    We also have other caring groups that are called Special Interest groups. They include biking groups, running groups, quilting groups, prayer groups, a date night group, and parent groups. New special interest groups are always forming.
2. THE LEARNING GROUPS:
   • There are many learning groups, such as Discover Ascension classes, Discover Spiritual maturity classes, Discover Life with God classes, small group leader lunches, a book reading group and the Tuesday Women’s Bible study. Of course there are also Confirmation PAL groups, and Sunday school class groupings.
3. THE SERVING GROUPS:
   • New ministry teams are beginning all the time.
   • There are teams that take mission trips to New Orleans, Honduras, El Salvador, and perhaps soon to Tanzania.
   • We have musical groups such as; Adult choir, Celebration band, Folk choir, Joyful Sounds (grades 4-8), Angel choir (grades 1-3), Cherub choir (3 year old – K), and two hand bell choirs.
   • There are many ministry teams such as, Health and Wholeness, Touch a Heart, Refugee resettlement team, Mutual Ministry, Sophia, Music team, Confirmation team, Confirmation PAL team, Sunday school teacher team, Small group ministry team, Altar guild, Care committee, Prayer ministry, Prayer chain, Mighty Mittens, Prison ministry, Welcome Center team, and Thrivent team.
   • There are administration groups that include, the Church council, Building team, Caring Relationships, Mission outreach, Spiritual growth, Joyful worship, and staff meeting group. 

We hope you find a group in which you can be excited about Serving the Lord, Learning about God, and Nurturing your faith here at Ascension. Please contact the small group minister, Pastor Steve Kersten at Ascension church for more information.