Small Group Leaders: Richard Anger and Andre Hope


In a church our size, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. But we’ve come up with a solution so that everyone - that’s right, everyone - can be connected to someone. That solution? Small group ministry.

Actually, small group ministry was something God thought up long before we did. Some have said that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were the first small group. And then of course Jesus, during His earthly life, organized a small group of twelve disciples who would later form other small groups which would then form still more small groups, and eventually these groups would spread the gospel all around the world. Those early small groups were called “the church.”

And if we want to follow the Bible, the idea of church still hasn’t changed. Notice these biblical references to Christians meeting in small groups for Bible study, fellowship and prayer:

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus... Greet also the church that meets at their house.” Romans 16:4-5

“To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philemon 1:2-3

“You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.” Acts 20:20

“...He went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.” Acts 12:12

Maybe there’s a good reason that the early Christians met in each other’s homes. Social scientists tell us that a person can develop meaningful friendships with only about fifteen other people at any one time. We’ve found this to be true here at Sacramento Central, and this is another reason why small groups are so vital to our spiritual and social health as a church family. A few pastors just can’t minister to all the members of the church in the same way that those involved in a small group can develop friendships and minister to each other!

So, our goal is to invite every person connected with our church to be part of a cohesive small group of no more than fifteen to twenty people. Each small group will have a facilitator and will meet in the homes of church members. The small groups will foster the spiritual growth of each of their members through Bible study, fellowship, prayer and outreach. The main goal is that each small group becomes a little church family - a place where each person in the small group cares about and looks out for the spiritual welfare of the others in the group - a goal that we think is exciting and attainable.

Are you ready for God to do something amazing in your life? It’s time to get plugged into a small group.

If you’re interested in joining a small group, contact Andre Hope at andre-shirley@att.net or 530-644-1710.

If you’re interested in hosting a small group in your home or receiving training to become a facilitator of a small group contact Richard Anger at richardanger@peoplepc.com or 916.747.3990.