The Omnibus

Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: In the Spotlight

Media Credit: Annie Monette Members of the 2006-2007 Discipleship Program pose at the Fall 2006 retreat. The program will begin its new year at with a retreat this weekend in Springfield. [Click to enlarge]

Southwest Baptist University's women's small group ministry, the Discipleship Program, will kick off its new year this weekend. The program consists of small groups of women, usually several younger students and an upperclassman leader who has been through at least one year of Discipleship. Groups spend time at least once a week together sharing meals, studying the Bible and spending time in fellowship throughout the year.
Nicky Ward, a Southwest Baptist graduate and Director of the Discipleship Program began the ministry as it is now in 2003.
"Southwest Baptist has had some type of small group ministry for a long time, but I saw a need for a small group with a concentration on developing leadership rather than just a Bible study," said Ward.
The goals the ministry seeks to accomplish fall into three main categories
"First of all there's spiritual formation," said Ward. "We want people to walk with the Lord, to have a healthy prayer life and to desire Him. Figuring out how to do those things and live alongside people is so important. We also want to teach people about communal living, the idea that you're creating memories as you converse with each other, eat meals together, and fellowship like the church is supposed to. The third is a mission purpose, seeing how we take all of that and reach people in our community."
The focus of the groups' activities is similar to those of Jesus' disciples: Bible study, worship, sharing meals, meaningful conversation, struggling together and service. Ward stresses the importance of this lifestyle, and its benefits.
"To find authentic freedom to be real and raw without fear of judgment is such a precious thing," said Ward. "We're serving and giving our lives to something that matters."
Ward says that the need for the group springs from the disconnected attitude that many college students have toward their faith during and after college.

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