My experience with Small groups began in 2002, when I became a born-again Christian in Cairo. Encouraged to put my newly-found faith into action, I was quickly placed within one of Maadi Community Church’s Small groups. My group pastor invited me to participate in the group by first praying aloud with others, then sharing a devotion, gradually building up my confidence to the point where I would lead worship or discussion.

Within a year, I was encouraged to train as a small group pastor. On completing the training, I left my group to start a new one, but still received invaluable coaching and support from my previous cell pastor. And so it continued, until I began serving with Bill Joukhadar, training others to become Small group pastors. I was later employed by the church to assist Bill in the running of the Small group ministry.

My experience assisting Bill gave me the opportunity not only to train others, but to coach group pastors, coordinate training sessions and further refine the Small Group Development training manual, based on the feedback from trainees. With each challenge came the reward of seeing God in action and growing in faith.

Now that I have returned to settle in the UK, I would like to welcome any UK church to contact me for further information, clarification or advice on introducing small groups to their community. I would be delighted to assist you in any way possible.

Emma Oladipo