Dear Friends, Are you ready to be ignited? Ignite Groups offer opportunities. You can make new friends, learn about Christian life, pursue an interesting hobby, or even exercise your spiritual gifts. Ignite Groups are also an opportunity to reach out to others, while growing in your walk with the Lord. Groups are formal and informal gatherings based upon the interests, hobbies, gifts, and passions of our members. However, you do not need to be a member of Valley Fellowship, or even attend our services, to participate in most of our small groups. It is our hope that you will participate in a group that interests you. With lots of choices, we think you will find one that fits you. Contact the small group leader to let them know you are interested (contact information is provided in this directory). The groups change and begin three times a year, so you have the chance to try out different ones in the next semester.  You name it; we may have an Ignite Group for it. If not, you might consider starting your own in a future semester. If you are interested in starting a group, please contact the church office for information about the next New Leader Orientation. Ignite Groups is the new name we have adopted for the big and small groups of Valley Fellowship Church. We have chosen the name to remind ourselves to passionately pursue God’s purposes in the Tennessee Valley and around the world. Fulfilling purpose requires passion (zeal, fervency or enthusiasm). ‘Purpose’ has to do with our head – thinking right about why we’re here and understanding our calling. ‘Passion’ has to do with our heart – the internal fire that motivates us and energizes us to fulfill our purpose and do God's will. God is the ultimate source of spiritual passion. The Holy Spirit comes to ignite us with holy fire. In the world we live in, natural passion is often a key to success and impact. Knowing information is valuable, but possessing the fire is invaluable. Nothing major in history was ever accomplished without zeal. Zeal is a deciding factor between triumph or failure in every field of endeavor. The fire on the inside impacts everything on the outside. D. L. Moody was a great American preacher with a knack for illustrations. One evening Moody visited a prominent Chicago citizen who was not regularly meeting with other followers of Christ. While they talked, the idea of membership and involvement came up. “I believe I can be just as good a Christian outside the church as I can be inside it,” the man said. Moody said nothing. Instead, he moved to the fireplace, blazing against the winter outside, removed one burning coal, and placed it on the hearth. The two men sat together and watched the ember die out. “I see,” the other man said (story drawn from Room to Grow by Keith Long). Passion or zeal is not something that is static or something that stays the same. A fire either spreads or burns out. The tendency of fire, if left alone, is to go out. We must work it, stoke it and build it. Do you see the connection with you passion for God? The Apostle Paul wisely spurs us to “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord (Romans 12:11 NIV).” How can you ignite or light a fire inside? How do you ignite your passion or keep it burning? We can pray for passion and ask God to put his fire within us again. Jesus desires to baptize us with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11-12. Luke 3:16. Acts 2:3-4). We can do things that help us return to our ‘first love’ (Revelation 2:4-5), including dealing positively with negative emotions that have settled into our spirit. We can activate our spiritual gifts (1 Timothy 4:14-16) and serve wholeheartedly (Colossians 3:23). Sometimes we have to choose to stir ourselves up (2 Timothy1:6-7). We can also associate with people of passion – God’s people who encourage and inspire you (Hebrews10:24-25). Associating with others in God’s family is at the heart of Ignite Groups. Relationships are important. Everything God has done in our lives is demonstrated in the midst of relationships. Ignite Groups serve as an invitation to join what God is doing in the midst of His people. Get lit! Ignite your fire! Join a group and get ignited with a passion for God. Serving fervantly in God’s House, Pastors Greg & Patti Simon    To see a list of small groups, click here. To read Ignite Magazine, click here.   Ignite Group Leaders: If you are a group leader and wish to submit a group for the upcoming semester, please print out the Small Group Directory Form and turn it into the main church office filled out with the group and leader information.  Note: In order to be a small group leader and submit a small group, you must first complete our Leadership Orientation class. Please call the church office to find out when our next class will meet so you can get started leading your small group.

Children Youth College & Career  Small Groups Worship Missions Prayer School

Valley Fellowship does not necessarily endorse, guarantee, support, or agree with the health, exercise, diet, and nutrition programs that small groups may recommend.
Please note: Discuss childcare arrangements with the group leader. Ultimately, parents are responsible for their own children. However, some members of small groups go in together to hire childcare for their children. Given that these engagements are done by individual group members and not by the church, those members are encouraged to exercise reasonable care in their selection and supervision of childcare workers.