We believe people need several "sizes" of experiences - it's how God made us. The following table shows you how we've planned these experiences for you at Lake Valley:

Our small groups of 8-20 people - called Home Groups - are the core of this plan. They are the "life blood" of Lake Valley. If Home Groups do well, then Lake Valley does well! Home Groups are the primary place for pastoral care, evangelism, and social action. They are the "front line" of Lake Valley - where people know you best, love you most, and care for you more intentionally.

Our plan for discipling adults is Home Groups. Our plan for pastoral care is Home Groups. Our plan for meeting real life needs is Home Groups. Our plan for evangelism is Home Groups. Home Groups are plan "A" - and there is no plan "B"! Our goal is to have a network of strong, multiplying "cells" - Home Groups - sprinkled all across Hot Springs and Garland county, living out the life of Christ in our community.

Every Home Group has a pastor couple (it's usually a couple), and an apprentice couple leading it. Additionally, we have Shepherding Leaders who pastor three to five Home Group pastor couples. Then we have Staff Pastors who oversee and train the Shepherding Leaders as well as the Home Group Pastors.

We do not place people in groups by "affinity" - that is, we do not put all singles in a Home Group together, all the young married's in a Home Group together, etc. What we need to learn and experience is that our "affinity" - what we have in common - is Christ! If all we have in common is our life stage, that's not yet Christian community! We need each other - singles and married's, young and old, men and women. Our connection is Christ!