By Steve Nethery

Helping men find and follow Jesus is important. Encouraging men to become disciples of Jesus Christ is a critical next step. And equipping men to become leaders in discipling other men is paramount as we seek to usher in God’s kingdom.

Growth Groups, also known as GGs and G2, are one way Spring Hill Baptist Church is helping men grow in Christ so they can help others follow Jesus.

Most Christian men in America have never shared their faith story, have never helped a person accept Jesus, and have never made a disciple—and many would not know how to do so if someone asked them to. Growth Groups encourage, inspire, and help men become disciples of Christ who make disciples.

Bryce Proffitt, a GG participant, explains, “As a Christian it is crucial to have a small, tight knit group of God-fearing men with similar values whom you can confide in through all of life’s ups and downs. Being part of a Growth Group has given me the ability to trust and break down my walls, realizing that isolation in faith and life is detrimental to a healthy relationship with Christ. It has been an extreme blessing in my life having a group of men I can trust.”

A GG is a group of three to five men that meets weekly for an hour and 15 minutes or bi-weekly for an hour and a half. They meet when and where the group determines and can meet in person or virtually. The goal is not the gathering itself—it’s becoming a follower of Jesus who is intentionally helping others follow Jesus. They are called Growth Groups because every man is expected to grow in Christ, help others grow in Christ, and grow the program by creating a new GG after a year two of growing together.

“Thinking through and becoming intentional about helping someone take next steps in their faith journey with Christ is a vital part of the GGs,” said Alden Pierce, a GG participant. We all help one another become much more aware of how God wants to work in and through us to help people follow Jesus.”

Each GG opens and closes with prayer, and in between walks through these questions for discussion:

• How’s life?

• What scripture are you reading, and what is God showing you to do?

• Whom are you intentionally helping follow Jesus?

Each man shares clearly and succinctly while the others practice active listening. Learning to share clearly and listen carefully is an important facet of personal growth and life, so GGs practice both. The third aspect of a GG sets these groups apart from most small groups, because it causes men to intentionally think about, pray through, and practice ways of intentionally helping others follow Jesus. Each group prioritizes and practices high confidentiality, high encouragement, and high accountability. The benefits and payoff are marvelous as men follow Jesus, grow in Christ, and help others find and follow Jesus.

These GGs are prayerfully and intentionally started, are accountable to one another, and are helping men become very intentional about serving and sharing Christ in and through a local church and in their daily lives.

Spring Hill launched one GG in 2017, and it now supports eight GGs with two to three new groups set to begin in fall 2025. The men in these groups are helping one another and others follow Jesus. Life changes and wonderful stories of growth are happening weekly.  

“I have been part of a Growth Group for several years,” reflected Bill Fekishazy. “Growing in Christ by reading and studying the Bible and growing in relationships with other growth group members is a blessing.” He continued, “I felt the Holy Spirit calling me to lead a Growth Group just over two years ago. One of the men in our group brings his 12-year-old son to all our meetings. Several months ago, he accepted Christ at our meeting. I was asked to baptize him and his dad. It was wonderful. The GG I started recently sent two members out to create a new GG and they are already having a great time together.”

For more information on how to begin a GG and its purpose, guidelines, goals, and benefits, contact Steve Nethery at steve@springhillbaptist.org. He will gladly visit with you in person or virtually to help you or other men in your church or circle of influence begin a G2.

Steve Nethery is Senior Pastor at Spring Hill Baptist Church in Ruckersville, VA.