Are There Small Groups in Other Countries?

ARTICLE
How a simple question led to some exciting discoveries
Amy Jackson
Im so thankful for the well-known leaders who share their hard-won wisdom for
leading small-group ministry. But I especialy love hearing from the small-group
pastors and directors in the trenchesthe people leading change quietly yet
effectively. People who may never have a book deal, but serve God faithfully
day in and day out as they find creative ways to connect people in life-changing
community. People like you.
A few months ago, I was talking about this with Todd Watermann, the Marketing
Manager for SmallGroups.com, and he asked, Are there small groups in other
countries? Of course! I quickly answered.

When I tried to find stories of group ministries outside North America, however, I
came up short. Besides the stories of house churches in China, I had a hard
time finding much information about small-group ministry outside our American
context.

As the North American church continues to question the validity of small-group

ministry, it made me wonder: If small groups are a valid ministry with the
potential to connect people in life-changing relationships, shouldnt they be
happening worldwide in a variety of contexts? And if theyre not, is it a sign that
we need to rethink our model for community?
As the managing editor of a resource dedicated to small-group ministry, I was
asking risky questions. But Im happy to report that small groups are alive and
well all over the world. In fact, as youll read, in some contexts like Bulgaria,
small groups are reaching people that wouldnt be reached any other way.
As Ive connected with pastors from El Salvador, Bulgaria, Australia, and Brazil,
Ive been humbled by the way groups are connecting people, creating disciples,
and reaching the unchurched in a wide variety of contexts. Even better: these
leaders have wisdom to share with us. Yes, their contexts are vastly different,
but theyre facing many of the same questions we have:

How do we ensure everyone is being discipled?

How do we help people assimilate into groups?
How do we reach people who are skeptical of the church?
How do we develop more leaders?
On top of that, some of their experiences may show a glimpse of our future. For
example, the church in Bulgaria is dealing with a Post-Christian culture, and
CityLife in Australia is ministering in a multicultural context. (The church has
people from 110 nations!)

Ill warn you: you probably havent heard of any of these pastors. But thats the
beauty of this, isnt it? Im proud to publish the stories of these hard-working
ministries from around the world. Together, we can celebrate all God is doing
through groups of people coming together to experience life change.
Amy Jackson is managing editor of SmallGroups.com.