LIFESHARE GROUPS
View LifeShare LeadersWe are not a church with small groups but a church of small groups. The real life of the church is expressed through authentic, caring relationships. Consequently, meeting in small groups is a vital part of sharing life together - which is why we call them "LifeShare" groups. In this context, each person can know and be known by others in secure relationships, and contribute their gifts to help others. While the large gathering on Sunday mornings is a great time for the whole family, small group meetings are important for application of what we learn. We see small group fellowship as the primary avenue for CARE and COMMUNITY in the church. Additionally, small groups share in the COMMISSION to reach outward with God's love.
Context for Care
We want to develop a church of small groups, where the primary vehicle for pastoral care is small group participation and relationships. Ongoing equipping and support infrastructure for the small group leaders is an essential ingredient to long-term success.
Create Community
As the church grows, we want integration between the "veterans" and the "newcomers". This requires an ongoing commitment to developing community through investing in fresh relationships.
Carrying out our Commission
We believe that each small group should be participating in a shared mission or ministry beyond itself. This commission is key to the longevity and continued growth of groups. The group is not an end in itself; instead they are fruit-bearing instruments serving the whole purpose of the church.
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CHILDREN
At Mercy Hill Church, we believe we must invest our very best into our children and youth ministries. With each and every child, we have a precious opportunity to teach and impart God's truth and to guide each heart toward a life of loving and serving God. We believe in impacting our children and youth in their most impressionable years, helping them to understand the Gospel message and encouraging them to develop personal relationships with Jesus Christ.
To this end, we have the finest teachers and helpers, each with a unique calling to love, care for and train the children and youth of the church. If you have any questions, please contact our Children's Ministry Directors, Frank & Roxanne Kielpikowski.
Frank and Roxanne Kielpikowski
Frank is the Senior Accountant at Eagle Express Lines in South Holland, IL, and Roxanne is a substitute teacher in the Hammond public schools. Roxanne has been working in children's ministry for more than 10 years, and Frank has worked in children's ministry for a number of years as well.
Their heart is to see children come to know Jesus as their Savior and to grow secure in knowing that He loves them and to see them share their faith with others. "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16. Frank and Roxanne reside in Hammond with their three children.
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MARRIED LIFE
Coming soon.
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YOUNG ADULT
Echo: Echo is a young adults group passionate about Jesus Christ and what he has done for us. They meet Tuesday nights at 7:30 at Mercy Hill for fellowship, worship, and biblical teaching.
Echo PC: Echo recently started a campus ministry at Purdue University Calumet. They meet Monday nights from 8-9pm on the south side of the cafeteria.
Both groups are in partnership with Living Word Church (Lansing, IL) and CrossPoint Church (Crown Point, IN)
Echo is led by David and Beth Hamstra. David is an Associate Pastor at CrossPoint Church allotting 50% of his time to Echo and Echo PC. He has a passion for teaching, building relationships and sharing the gospel. Beth works for a consulting firm in Chicago and loves supporting her husband in ministry. David and Beth are expecting their first little one in April, 2010. The couple has traveled extensively and has a heart to see people reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ locally and around the world
If you are interested in either group please check out their website echohim.com or e-mail them at ECHO.
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YOUTH
Axis meets each Sunday night from 6:00-7:30 pm at Mercy Hill (9501 Indianapolis Blvd.) in Highland, Indiana. Every second Sunday of the month the youth groups from Living Word Church and CrossPoint Church join in for a combined service.
Each meeting includes worship and a relevant message. Worship is loud and passionate, biblical messages are taught in an atmosphere that promotes openness and discussion about the issues and temptations facing high school students today, small groups give students time to make application of the Word into their own lives. In Axis, students are encouraged to develop deep devotional lives through prayer, the study of the scriptures and serving into the needs of others.
Each summer Axis teams up with the youth group from CrossPoint Church in Crown Point for a missions trip. Past trips have included: New Orleans, Appalachia, Mexico, and Minnesota.
Axis is led by Dave and Samantha Prince. Dave and Sam and their three children, Abby, Luke and Elisabeth, live in St. John, Indiana. Dave graduated from Wheaton College in 1990 with a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies and Communications. After finishing a practical pastoral training course in England, he worked in the graphics and printing industry in Chicago for eight years. He has been a member of Living Word Church since 1986. Dave and Sam have been serving in Youth Ministry since 1993. Dave has also served as lead pastor at Living Word Church since 2001. Their passion is to serve the local church and see God glorified in families and in the church community.
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