By Mark VanGilst

Lola and I moved to the East Coast in 1975, which was around the time when many, many churches were discovering “small group” ministry. It was widely recognized that the fellowship relationships instructed for God’s people in Scripture simply couldn’t be reached by a 20-minute “fellowship time” after the morning worship service, even if the cookies were homemade!

Since that time, we have been members of three churches (including Oak Hill), and each of these churches has had a vibrant small group ministry. In each situation, they were an important part of our Christian life. There were so many times where love, help, and encouragement and instruction were shared that would never have occurred without the small group ministry. These were the people that we actually knew and to whom we would go when we needed help. They represented the fellowship aspect of the church for us. And, behold, it was good!

The Gospel Communities (GCs) at Oak Hill continue to be that representation for us. Small groups were very important in those other two churches, but Oak Hill stresses the GCs somewhat more intentionally. It is very clear that every member is expected to be in a GC. Not just encouraged, not just suggested, but expected. I think it’s an appropriate expectation, and I commend every believer to join one!

Beyond the difference of expectation, our GC is a bit unlike any small group in which we have participated previously. We have two single people, three young families, one couple a bit older, and then one couple quite a bit older. (Lola and I have become very attached to that oldest couple! ...Actually, we like all of them.) We want to be with these people, and I think our routine 100% attendance shows that they want to be with each other too. Occasionally, the men or women will have breakfast together on a Saturday just to spend time together. It is sweet.

With so many young families, there is an approximately one-to-one ratio of kids under 10 to adults in our group (which, in practicality, means they outnumber us!). While we love those kids and are glad they are there, it became difficult to have adult discussions in that context. Now, two awesome young ladies provide childcare during our meetings, which has amazingly changed our ability to share with each other. We are so appreciative of those young ladies.

If I am being honest, there are times on a Tuesday night that I would prefer to just stay home and watch Jeopardy! (That is difficult because I’m leading the discussion!) However, it is without fail that when we have been there, we are glad to have been together. It is good.