winter/spring 2023 Growth Groups
**Children's ministry is available during the Sunday morning and Wednesday evening groups.**
If you have questions, please call the church office, 605-692-6671, or email the Community Life team.
Many of our groups will be following along with our sermon series, Good and Beautiful and Kind.
"We long for a good life, a beautiful life, a kind life. But clearly that’s not the world we live in. We carry the stress
of our fractured world in our bodies and relationships. Hostility, rage, and offense is the language of our culture.
How did we lose goodness, kindness, and beauty? And more important, how do we get them back into our lives?
These are the two questions that we will dive into."
Groups start January 11 and end the week of April 30, unless otherwise noted.
If you have questions, please call the church office, 605-692-6671, or email the Community Life team.
Many of our groups will be following along with our sermon series, Good and Beautiful and Kind.
"We long for a good life, a beautiful life, a kind life. But clearly that’s not the world we live in. We carry the stress
of our fractured world in our bodies and relationships. Hostility, rage, and offense is the language of our culture.
How did we lose goodness, kindness, and beauty? And more important, how do we get them back into our lives?
These are the two questions that we will dive into."
Groups start January 11 and end the week of April 30, unless otherwise noted.
Sundays 8:30AM
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men's leadership group // Bruce burckhardt, Room 210Drawing on the wisdom of strong accomplished leaders, this group will help make men stronger Christian leaders in their homes, workplaces, church and environment. Prepare to be challenged once you join this group.
Bruce loves God, good food, grandkids and, of course, his beautiful wife. He is a business owner and is always pushing himself to learn more about leadership. |
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Good and Beautiful and KIND by Rich Villodas // Angie Andreasen and Ginny Herreid, ROOM 200Angie has been married to Shane for 17 years and is mom to two daughters, Selah and Emma. She likes to sing, read, and walk her beagle, Ivy. Ginny, mom of two wonderful daughters and grandma of five, likes to walk, garden, spend time with family and kayak now that she is retired.
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sundays 9:45AM
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FOLLOW BY ANDY STANLEY // Orv Smidt and David Sheppard, ROOM 200Lots of people think Christianity is all about doing what Jesus says. But what if doing what Jesus says isn’t what Jesus says to do at all? Jesus' invitation is an invitation to relationship, and it begins with a simple request: follow me. This group will journey through the Gospels and look at Jesus' teaching on what it means to follow.
Orv is a 34-year veteran of the U.S. Army and loves the Jackrabbits. David has farmed for 40 years. He loves spending time with his 11 grandchildren and playing pickleball. Orv and David have been leading together for over 6 years. They love engaging the class with ice breakers so that everyone gets a chance to know each other. |
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Through the BIBLE IN A YEAR // Gregg Carlson, ROOM 210Thinking about reading through the Bible this year as a New Year's resolution? This group can help keep you on track as we cover the Bible in chronological order in 2023. Our goal is to review the entire Bible while focusing on what we believe and why we believe it.
Gregg is in his 19th year leading “Through the Bible in a Year” at GracePoint. He began attending GracePoint and leading groups in 1969. In his spare time he studies Scripture, runs a sawmill and does CNC woodworking. |
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WITHOUT RIVAL (Women’s Group)// Cynthia Sheppard, ROOM 220There is a reason we look at others as rivals and limit ourselves to comparison and competition. We have an enemy assaulting our mind, will, and emotions in the hope that we'll turn on ourselves and each other. It's a cycle that isolates us from intimate connections, creates confusion about our identity, and limits our purpose. In this group, you’ll learn how to stop seeing others as rivals and make the deep connections with your Creator that you long for.
Cynthia is a former teacher and newspaper editor who loves to continue to teach through small groups. She and her husband, David, find their exercise through the fun sport of pickleball and following the activities of their 11 grandchildren. |
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BIBLE STUDY // Tom Delaney, ROOM 120This group starts off with a challenging question, thought, or quote, then studies different verses of the Bible each week.
Married for almost 40 years, Tom & his wife Deb have 7 children. Tom is a certified teacher, loves reading, and writing poetry. He has attended GracePoint for 18 years. |
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Hurts, Hangups and Habits // Libby Mulder and Dave Larson, Room 130Are you “stuck”? Have you become someone you didn’t want to be, or gotten to a place you didn’t want to go? What’s standing in the way of your relationship with God and other people? Together, we break the bondage of the past by sharing our experience, strength, and hope with each other, finding freedom from life’s hurts, hang-ups & habits, in the healing power of Jesus. This is an intensive 25-week discipleship process for ANYBODY to work through the Christ-centered 12 Steps of Spiritual Recovery, using the Celebrate Recovery step study guides.
Libby and Dave have been in active recovery for a combined 5+ years. They both attended Hurts, Hang-Ups & Habits over the past year and are eager to continue to see the group grow. Giving back and helping others is their favorite part of recovery programs. Let’s discuss how God is always there and is ready, willing, and able to help in all aspects of our lives. |
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Study of Genesis (men's group) // Todd intermill, The UnionThis group will journey through the book of Genesis using the wisdom of multiple commentaries.
Todd has attended GracePoint since the late 1960s, and has been leading men’s classes for the past decade. He grain farms with his wife, Wendy, in the Colman area. They have 2 daughters and 3 foster daughters, all adults now. Todd is enthusiastic about understanding Scripture, learning how to read it, and using it in your daily life. |
sundays 11AM
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RESILIENT BY JOHN ELDReDGE // LANCE and LISA MINOR, ROOM 210
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201 DISCIPLESHIP PATHWAY // Dave Hopewell and other GracePoint staff, room 200
“Discipleship is being spiritually formed in the image of Christ, for the sake of others and the glory of God.” (Robert Mullholland). This is a pilot group for the next year to walk through the discipleship process. Our lives should look fundamentally different once we encounter the grace of God. This group will be broken into 3 sections. The first section in the fall walked through basic Christian beliefs. We will begin section two in January to help us discover how to grow in our relationship with God. The last section will then call us to action, understanding how to respond to God’s calling on our life.
The Discipleship Pathway will be facilitated by Pastor Dave and will include other pastors and experts in each field of conversation. This Pathway is meant to be challenging and formative in your spiritual journey and is open to all.
The Discipleship Pathway will be facilitated by Pastor Dave and will include other pastors and experts in each field of conversation. This Pathway is meant to be challenging and formative in your spiritual journey and is open to all.
tuesdays
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9AM, JESUS AND WOMEN BY KRISTI MCLELLAND // Lisa Boulais, ROOM 200Imagine walking the dusty roads of Galilee with Jesus of Nazareth, braving jostling crowds just to touch the edge of His cloak and hear Him say, "Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you." Those words, once meant to comfort a hurting woman's soul thousands of years ago, were also meant for you. Discover how Jesus graciously brought justice and righteousness to women in the first-century world and how He generously lifted them out of their shame and restored the honor.
Lisa lives on a lake and loves spending time there with her friends and family, including 4 grandchildren. She has attended GracePoint for 22 years. |
tuesdays noon - HYBRID Group (DIGITAL AND IN-PERSON)
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Good and BEAUTIFUL and KIND by Rich Villodas // Dave Hopewell, ZOOM OR Room 230Dave has been on staff at GracePoint since 2014, and loves to see people grow in their faith. He’s been married for 12 years to his lovely wife Heidi, and they have five amazing kids. If you can’t seem to find a time to connect with another group, this may be the group for you! Let’s grab “lunch” together on Tuesdays and talk about the Bible.
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wednesdays 6:30pM
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sermon follow up // Joe and Patty Tschetter, ROOM 200Joe & Patty have been married for 34 years and have two adult children both attending SMSU. They have been at GracePoint for 37 years.
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LUKe: THE COMPASSION OF CHRIST by DR. DAVID JEREMIAH // Paul and Leila Muzzey, ROOM 210According to the Apostle Paul, Luke was a "beloved physician" who traveled with him on several of his missionary journeys. However, Luke's real passion was in setting down an orderly account that detailed the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This was a task for which Luke was well suited, for he was both a thoughtful man of science and a great observer of people.
Grandpa Paul moved to Brookings about 9 years ago to be near his son and grandkids. 7 1/2 years ago God brought two widowed people together and has allowed us to serve Him as a team. |
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THE ART OF PARENTING // Adam & Kathryn Wiese and Lane & Megan Hammond, ROOM 220This group will help you to experience God's truth and apply His Word in your family by focusing your attention on four crucial elements in your children's lives: Identity, Character, Relationships, and Mission. When you apply biblical truths in these four areas, you can feel confident your children will have a foundation they can build upon for the rest of their lives.
Kathryn and Adam have been married for 17 years and farm north of Flandreau. They are parents to five kids and they love attending and being involved in their kids activities. In addition to family time they enjoy the outdoors, fitness, reading and they love building relationships. |
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EMPOWERING YOUR KIDS TO CHALLENGE CULTURAL LIES // Spencer & Kayla Kane and Patrick & Krissa Peterson, ROOM 140The problem with lies is they often don’t sound like lies. They seem harmless, and even sound right. This group will equip you to teach your kids how to form their own biblical beliefs about what is true and what is false. Through transparent life stories and clear, practical applications—including prayer strategies—this group offers you tools to train yourself, so you can turn around and train your kids.
Patrick and Krissa Peterson have been coming to GracePoint for 7 years. They live in Brookings with their 4 children. Patrick works at 3M and Krissa stays home with the kids. Spencer and Kayla Kane live in Brookings. Spencer is a part of the CRU ministry on campus. |
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Grief Support // Matt Douglas, room 130Many people have experienced losses of loved ones this past year. In many cases, it’s been difficult to find space and time to properly mourn, process emotions, and begin healing in the midst of everything. Anyone experiencing loss or grief is welcome to attend; please share with those you know who may benefit.
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Good and BEAUTIFUL and KIND by Rich Villodas // Ben and Abby Gietzen, ROOM 135Ben met his wife, Abby, while attending SDSU and they were married in June of 2010. They have four children: Wesley, Alice (AJ) Otis and a new baby, Leeland. They have a passion for helping people grow in the character and competency of Jesus through leading worship, teaching, and making disciples with a priority on multiplication.
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LIKE ARROWS// Floyd and Malynda Mabbitt // ROOM 150When conflict, rebellion, and resentment are overwhelming and force you to rethink your parenting strategy, Like Arrows casts a powerful vision for parents, reminding us that nothing is more important for any family than to have God and His Word directing our lives.
Floyd and Malynda have been married for 9 years and have three of God's greatest blessings, Ashton, Annalyn, and Aria. Floyd recently retired after 22 years of military service and Malynda works for Instructional Design Services at South Dakota State University. They have lived in Brookings for six years and enjoy family time whether that is watching movies, playing board games, or being outdoors. |
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BIBLE STUDY // Jim Gilkerson, Home group (Group is FULL)Jim and Kysa live on their family farm located just east of Brookings. The farm has been in the Gilkerson family for more than 70 years. This group will be studying through the Bible each week while balancing time getting to know everyone.
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Thursdays 7pM
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RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY (21-40s) // Ryan & Caitlyn Christy, ROOM 120This group will evaluate how to stay emotionally healthy and spiritually alive in the chaos of the modern world. Hurry is the greatest enemy of our spiritual lives, and this group will help evaluate ways to cut out some of the chaos.
We are Ryan & Caitlyn Christy, a mid-20's couple originally from Orange City, IA. Upon moving to Brookings in June 2019, we started attending GracePoint Wesleyan and felt a call to lead and connect with peers through growth groups. We are eager to meet new people and learn together! |
Online Group // Tuesdays Noon
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Good and BEAUTIFUL and KIND by Rich Villodas // Dave Hopewell, ZOOM OR Room 230Dave has been on staff at GracePoint since 2014, and loves to see people grow in their faith. He’s been married for 12 years to his lovely wife Heidi, and they have five amazing kids. If you can’t seem to find a time to connect with another group, this may be the group for you! Let’s grab “lunch” together on Tuesdays and talk about the Bible.
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CARE GROUPS
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Grief Support // Matt Douglas, Wednesdays at 6:30PM, room 130Many people have experienced losses of loved ones this past year. In many cases, it’s been difficult to find space and time to properly mourn, process emotions, and begin healing in the midst of everything. Anyone experiencing loss or grief is welcome to attend; please share with those you know who may benefit.
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FINANCIAL PEACE Coaching
Financial Peace is a biblically-based curriculum that teaches people how to handle money God’s way. The cost for the kit for this class is $99, assistance may be available, if needed. Couples need only purchase one kit. Register if you are interested and we’ll pair you up with a coach.
OASIS COLLEGE & YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY GROUPS
Oasis groups meet each night of the week for men and women seeking to grow in their faith along with others. Groups typically work around the college schedule starting between 7PM and 9PM.