Small Groups
Small groups have always been important at Hope Christian Church. We encourage every believer to be in a small group environment as a means of discipleship, community and encouragement. Hebrews 10: 25 reminds us to “not neglect meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but to encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching”. There is one dynamic that exists in our Sunday worship gatherings, another in an Adult Sunday School classroom, another when we meet life-on-life and yet another when we meet in a small group setting. One result of meeting together is encouragement – and we all need that – but there are many others. Importantly, small groups can serve as an easier entrance door to the church for those for whom attending a Sunday worship service is too uncomfortable.
In addition to several well-established small groups, we are offering a number of new groups that are open to all, including a few special interest groups, men’s groups and women’s groups.
Full details may be found in the current HCC Small Groups Booklet.
Contact Iain Whitfield at iain@hopechristianchurch.org
Men’s Ministry
If you are a man and you are at Hope Christian Church, we consider you part of the men and you are welcome to attend all events and activities.
The purpose of our men’s ministry is to:
- help men start or continue their journey to become more like Christ;
- help connect men into relationships with other Christian men who encourage, support, and pray for each other;
- equip men for spiritual service in the home, church (the body of Christ), workplace, and community while finding balance for their commitments to faith, family and work.
The men’s ministry team organizes monthly breakfasts, an annual weekend retreat and keeps men abreast of relevant events and activities targeted towards Christian men.
Events for Men
- The Wednesday Evening Men’s Bible Study meets each week from 7-8:30pm at HCC, studying the gospel of Mark. Contact Tom Adams at 781-641-0495 for information.
- Morning Bible Studies; Callahan’s Auto Service Shop; Tue. and Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 AM
- Men’s Breakfast (3rd Saturday of every month): 7:30-9:00 AM.
- Annual Men’s Retreat: May 16-18, 2014 @ Camp Berea in NH
- Each Thursday morning a group of men meet at the church from 6:30-7:00am to pray for the ministries of the church.
Contact Todd Cravens for Men’s Ministry events at todd@hopechristianchurch.org
Women’s Ministry
If you are a woman at the church you are considered to be part of the Women’s Ministry of the church and you are invited and welcome to come and participate in our events. We are committed to bringing women of all ages together for times of spiritual growth, fellowship and encouragement.
The purpose of this ministry is to provide opportunities for women of Hope to gather for times of fellowship, spiritual renewal and encouragement. It has been said that each Christian should have a “Paul” and “Timothy” in their lives. Titus 2: 3-5 supports this saying as well by encouraging…”older women to teach younger women”. Taking full advantage of Hope’s richness in the different generations and/or seasons of life, we endeavor to see Titus 2 in action throughout the year. Helping each other through the seasons we are in and maybe even finding a “Paul” and “Timothy” for all of us.
Contact Sheryl Gonzales for Women’s Ministry events at gonzales4K@gmail.com
Various Bible studies/small groups help women to grow; for information contact gonzales4K@gmail.com
Each Wednesday morning (except summer) a group of women meet at a local church member’s home church from 9:30-11:00am to pray for one another and the ministries of the church.
Youth Ministry
Contact Herb Wiebe at herb@hopechristianchurch.org
PURPOSE STATEMENT
The purpose of youth ministry at HCC is to Attend to each other and our community, to Grow spiritually, to Impact the world with the gospel, to Link students to one another and our congregation and to Exalt Jesus Christ!
Attend (Serve)
Grow (Discipleship)
Impact (Outreach)
Link (Community)
Exalt (Worship)
ATTEND
Students are encouraged to get involved in ministry to children at HCC. We play an active role in assisting adults in the Nursery and King’s Kids. This summer we had many students volunteer at our Sports and Arts Camp. We also participate in the 30 Hour Famine during odd numbered years and go on a Mission Trip on even numbered years.
GROW
The main teaching component of the youth ministry is Sunday School. We offer a class for 6th-12th grade before the service on Sunday mornings. This year we will be doing a general overview of the New Testament. Kinship (Friday nights) also serves as a platform for Bible Teaching. We attend a winter youth retreat at Camp Berea called Deep Freeze. RightNow Media is a new resource with many excellent Biblical Study series for youth to access individually. We plan to use this extensively starting this fall.
IMPACT
This year a lot of effort will be put into the 30 Hour Famine in April 26-27, 2013. We also plan to offer some free babysitting events for the church and the Winchester community. Our students also participate in Church-wide events like Town Day.
LINK
Kinship is our Friday night gathering that allows for a variety of activities. The main focus is building relations through outreach, service, bible study, and fun. We gather from 7PM to 10PM and 6th – 12th graders are eligible to attend. We conclude structured activities by 9PM for parents who want to pick up their students earlier rather than later. During the year we also have events like Apple Picking, Christmas Party, Laser Craze, Beach Day, and Six Flags.
EXALT
We believe worship is more than just singing songs. Our intention is that everything is done with an attitude of worship. This theme is consistently revisited throughout the year.
YOUTH MINISTRY GOALS
A mongoose is considered one of the most AGILE animals of God’s creation. The mongoose is gifted with assets that allow it to kill snakes with relative ease. Our goal is have a “Mongoose Faith.”
POWER
The Lord has the power to ATTEND to our needs and empowers us to do the same for others. (Eph. 4: 1-16)
THICK COAT
As we GROW in our relationship with Christ our ability to resist temptation also grows. While we will never become impenetrable, our “coat” thickens as we deepen our relationship with Christ. (James 1:22, Proverbs 22:6)
SPEED
The degree of IMPACT increases with speed. A mongoose’s speed allows it to go on the offensive. In the same way we are called to be on the offensive in our community. As we mature in Christ our ability to IMPACT also improves. (Matthew 28:18-20)
ANTI-VENOM
Linking with other believers makes it harder for negative influences to take hold of our lives. We will not become immune, but Satan’s venom losses some of its strength. (1 John 1:7)
DEXTERITY
Worshiping the Lord is not limited to singing songs. We can EXALT the Lord with everything we do. (Romans 12:1)
LEADER TEAM
HERB WIEBE
I grew up in a home with parents who were dedicated to the ministry. I was born in Niagara Falls, Canada but spent my youth in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, California, Costa Rica, and Columbia. I graduated from Tabor College with a dual degree in Psychology and Biblical and Religious Studies in 2002. This last May (2011) I completed my M.A. in Counseling with an emphasis in School Counseling. After serving as an adult leader in the youth ministry for one year I am excited about beginning my second year at HCC as the Director of Ministry to Children and Youth.
RICK WELLES
I was raised in the California desert, but have lived in New England for two decades. While raised in a Christian home, it wasn’t until seventh grade that my parent’s faith became my own. My high school youth group was a real blessing, where I experienced mission trips for the first time. For the last decade, I helped in youth ministry at Grace Chapel in Lexington, but now I’m happy to be at HCC.
JENAE WIEBE
I was born in North Dakota, but by the age of seven I was living in Colorado. I graduated from Tabor College with a B.A. in Elementary Education. After teaching Jr. High Science for three years, I made the switch 5th grade. I completed my M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology from Emporia State University in 2008. Since then I have been working for Raytheon in their Technical Services Division. I love working with young people, especially Jr. High Students.
Children’s Ministry
The mission of HCC’s Children’s Ministries is to provide an environment for children where the love of God is taught, demonstrated and experienced. Our desire is that every child that is a part of this ministry will come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and be able to share their faith with others.
This fall there are various age-specific classes for children. Each class is staffed by at least 2 adults, and we are also blessed to have middle and high schoolers serving as classroom assistants during our worship classes.
Childcare for children under the age of 3 is available in our nursery. We also offer Bible-based Sunday school classes for children ages 3 years and up.
During our worship services, Hope Christian Church offers childcare to children under 3 in our nursery. In addition, Biblical, age-appropriate teaching is available to children ages 3-Kindergarten in our King’s Kids program and to children in grades 1-2 in our Rising STARS program and in grades 3-5 in our STARS program. Children in all three programs begin the worship service with the adults in a multigenerational setting and then are dismissed for their class time. Please note that during the summer months a program for King’s Kids only is offered.
Questions? Please contact Herb Wiebe, Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry, at herb@hopechristianchurch.org
Upcoming Events
Mark the Date
Sports Camp 2013 – Off the Bench is coming soon
Click on the image below to see more
The mission of HCC’s Children’s Ministries is to provide an environment for children where the love of God is taught, demonstrated and experienced. Our desire is that every child that is a part of this ministry will come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and be able to share their faith with others.
This fall there are various age-specific classes for children. Each class is staffed by at least 2 adults, and we are also blessed to have middle and high schoolers serving as classroom assistants during our worship classes.
Childcare for children under the age of 3 is available in our nursery. We also offer Bible-based Sunday school classes during the school year for children ages 3 years and up.
During our worship services, Hope Christian Church offers childcare to children under 3 in our nursery. In addition, Biblical, age-appropriate teaching is available to children ages 3-Kindergarten in our King’s Kids program and to children in grades 1-2 in our Rising STARS program and in grades 3-5 in our STARS program. Children in all three programs begin the worship service with the adults in a multigenerational setting and then are dismissed for their class time. Please note that during the summer months a program for King’s Kids only is offered.
Questions? Please contact Herb Wiebe, Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry at herb@hopechristianchurch.org
Welcome Ministry
Leader: Jerald Knight, jfknight@fas.harvard.edu
To glorify God by: praying for the body of Christ at HCC and for newcomers; welcoming those who attend or visit HCC; and facilitating newcomer integration into the local body of Christ.
Prayer Ministry
Contact: Iain Whitfield at iain@hopechristianchurch.org
To continually ask the Lord for a spiritual outpouring at HCC so that we are empowered to walk in fullness of life and fulfill our God ordained purpose as the body of Christ. We want to advance in our being transformed from “a church that prays to a praying church” through His Holy Spirit.
The prayer ministry functions in numerous ways to promote prayer as one of the essential elements in the life of Christ’s body of believers here at Hope Christian Church.
- The Prayer Team meets every Sunday morning before our Sunday school time and worship service to pray for all events of the morning, specific church concerns and needs of specific people in our church community that have requested prayer. We are also available, along with elders at Hope, after the morning service to offer ministering prayer to individuals.
- Prayer Watches are scheduled events, usually bi-monthly, when individuals, teams or small groups can gather together during a selected time slot of one or more hours over a 24 hour period so that continuous prayer is happening here in the church. This time can be used for personal intimacy with the Lord or you may pray for the church or others. This has been both a very powerful and meaningful element of our church life. Sign up sheets are distributed in the service prior to the scheduled prayer watch or you can call Patty Flemming at the church office (781-729-5494).
- Corporate Prayer Gatherings: It is obvious that a great deal of corporate prayer takes place in small groups and ministry teams. The prayer team will offer scheduled monthly gatherings inviting the entire community to come together to offer up our praises and adoration, confession, thanksgiving and requests to our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ His Son and His Holy Spirit. The dates of these gatherings will be announced on Sunday mornings and via email before the scheduled time.
Operating Ministry
Leader: Bob Zickell, bzickell@mtipolyexe.com
To serve the body of HCC by caring for the maintenance and upgrades of the church building and property at 58 Mt. Vernon Street Winchester and to provide accounting, budget and financial oversight for the church finances.
Missions Ministry
Leader: Doug Simpson, dasimps@alum.mit.edu
The Missions Ministry seeks to organize, equip, and motivate the members of HCC toward becoming a church which integrates missions into the fabric of all of our ministries.
Missions giving, prayer, and financial support are foundational to Hope Christian Church. We currently support 14 ministry partners.
Congregational Care Ministry
Leader: Dave & Sheryl Gonzales, gonzales4K@gmail.com
To promote and organize congregational care within HCC for members in need – primarily for physical rather than spiritual or emotional needs. This will mean providing a structure through which the congregation can help one another by acting as a conduit for needs to be both raised and, as far as possible, met within the family at HCC.
Compassion Ministry
Leader: Doug Simpson, dasimps@alum.mit.edu
To unite the congregation of HCC to minister to the needy outside of the congregation. To bind like minded believers in their desire to reach out and show Christ’s compassion to others. To set in place a structure by which new members of the congregation may get plugged into serving the community outside the church.