

Life Groups are the way we make a big church feel small. There are groups meeting in-person across the area and there are groups meeting online all around the world! We encourage you to join a life group so that you can experience life with others while building new friendships and strengthening each other in your walk with Christ.
We are excited to invite you to Life Group Leaders Connect 2020! This is a special event for Life Group Leaders and will include inspiring vision from Pastors John & Debbie, food, prizes, surprises, and lots of fun!
Hosted at James River Church | South Campus & Joplin. We are asking for ALL Life Group Leaders to attend one of the options. Pick your time and Register Today!
You can make a difference in people’s lives by starting a new Life Group! Select “Start a Group” below to learn more about how you can begin the process of launching a new group in your area.
The Life Group Leaders Conference is an exciting day designed to strengthen you as a leader. It’s a day packed with lots of fun, encouraging leadership teaching and plenty of laughter! We can’t wait to see you there!
Find support and laughter where you can feel a sense of belonging.
Grow in your relationship with God alongside people who resonate with same life experiences as you do.
Meaningful relationships are a result of Life Groups genuinely caring about one another through all seasons of life.
We are so thankful for the families who are hosting Life Groups in their homes throughout the area. Having a comfortable place to meet is essential in forming the best environment for people to grow relationally. When you host a group, your gift of hospitality creates the place where families can do life together.
Our group leaders are making a difference in lives of people every year! When you become a leader, our training will equip you with everything you need to get started. Plus, you can fill your group personally or connect with others looking for a group through the Find A Group search option.
We are so thankful for the families who are hosting Life Groups in their homes throughout the area. Having a comfortable place to meet is essential in forming the best environment for people to grow relationally. When you host a group, your gift of hospitality creates the place where families can do life together.
Our group leaders are making a difference in lives of people every year! When you become a leader, our training will equip you with everything you need to get started. Plus, you can fill your group personally or connect with others looking for a group through the Find A Group search option.
Life Groups are an exciting way for you to meet and connect with others at James River Church! By meeting in coffee shops and homes across the area, Life Groups provide a fun-filled, relaxing environment for people to engage in meaningful relationships by doing life together. Life Groups are focused on building relationships, growing together in your walk with God and praying for one another. They make a big church feel small!
Life Groups meet once a week typically on Sunday nights but some meet on other days throughout the week.
Life Groups are comprised of 10-14 people who meet weekly in coffee shops and homes all throughout the area. Groups are available for adults of all ages, stages of life, and spiritual maturity. To get started you will search for a group based on your stage of life (college, young married, young professionals, young families, parents of teens, men and women only groups, etc.). From there you can read the descriptions of the various groups to find a group that’s a good fit for you.
Most groups that meet in homes have snacks or dinner each week so typically the group will begin by enjoying some good food. Then you would move into a time of talking about Sunday’s message followed by praying for one another’s needs. Groups also plan fun activities together such as Miniature Golf, Bowling, Sand Volleyball and of course Andy’s Frozen Custard.
Life Group discussions are centered on the current Sunday sermon at James River Church. This Sermon Based approach helps group members consider how the passage applies to their lives throughout the week.
Not every group provides childcare but of those that do, some groups offer childcare at the home where they meet while others have childcare at a separate location. When inquiring about a group online, you can ask the leader how their group organizes with children.
Life Groups are not organized by campus. Most groups have members from all campuses, so when searching keep this in mind.
Joining a Life Group is simple and done all online on our Find A Group website.
1. SEARCH: Search for a Life Group in your stage of life at jamesriver.org/lifegroups, then click “Find A Group.” (Groups are not organized by campus)
2. FIND: Find a Life Group to visit.
3. CONNECT: Connect with the Life Group by contacting the leader and visiting their group.
Our goal at James River Church is to help you find meaningful relationships in which you can grow. We understand that it may take checking out two or three different groups to find the right fit. With that in mind, we encourage you to give each group a few weeks before trying a new one. It usually takes a few weeks for people to break the ice and begin connecting.
James River Youth is the youth ministry of James River Church. We are a community of adventurous, engaging, and encouraging teenagers who love Jesus and love people, all while doing life together. James River Youth consists of a dynamic youth program on Wednesday nights and Sunday Mornings. We are all about helping students realize how amazing Jesus is, creating a life-giving and fun atmosphere, and building community while doing life together.
Living Free Life Groups are for anyone working through emotional, relational, behavioral or substance challenges. This is a discipleship-based ministry that helps transform individuals though God's Word, His Spirit and His people in an environment of hope, support and accountability.
If there is one thing we know about Life Groups, it’s that you do not want to miss this opportunity! The laughter, support and growth that happens as a result of the time spent together in small groups is irreplaceable. Check it out for yourself.
Want to know more? Contact us