I am enjoying meeting with the second year students who are doing Assistant Small Group Leader (ASGL) Training this year. One of these students is Sunny. She has never lead a Bible study group before. She is nervous, but also very excited to be spurring on the first years. She is enjoying learning from the engaging training material I am taking her through. Sunny has been particularly struck by the impact which she, as a small group leader, can make in the lives of those in her group. If this knowledge shapes her understanding of what it is to lead a Bible study, she will be intentional about how she invests in each person she leads, so that they will be made mature in Christ. And she’ll do this not only now, but for the rest of her life!

The EU aims to grow ASGL students in four practical areas to become PHAT leaders for life. People who are: Pastors (they genuinely care for each member of their group); have a Heart for others (they regularly pray for those in and outside their group); are Admin stars (they understand the importance of effective administration to enable the group to function properly); and Teacher facilitators (people who teach God’s Word faithfully and facilitate deep discussion).

Each Howard Guinness Project apprentice meets weekly with several ASGL students to give them tools to think strategically about how to grow each person in their group to greater maturity in Christ. Each ASGL leads several studies and takes responsibility for the group, enabling them to practically apply the skills they are learning. This results in students who are confident leading a small group, while being able to adapt to accommodate different people and situations.

These young leaders will learn skills which are transferable beyond small group ministry, which they can use to lead senior small groups, to serve their local church or to lead in a variety of contexts, for the rest of their lives. Each year the EU staff train over a hundred students through the ASGL program. What a great way to flood God’s church with leaders for decades to come!