It's easy to get lost in a crowd - to feel lonely even though you may be surrounded by worshipers on a given Sunday. That's why Redeemer Lutheran Church has a new small group ministry called Life Groups. We want everyone to have the opportunity to be known and cared for and serve the community. People grow faster spiritually in a caring, interactive group where they feel free to ask real questions and sense the support of a group.
Life Groups will meet for six Wednesday evening sessions this fall at Redeemer: September 15th and 22nd, October 6th and 13th, and November 3rd and 10th. This is a 'pilot' program. There are no more sessions planned until we re-evaluate in December.
Sign up for your Life Group today! Our Life Group leaders are: Kelly Cwik and Liana Fisher, Deaconess Kris Hanson, Tammy Melton, Pastor Steve, Doreen Sullivan, Nancy Lamo, and Adrienne Zhang. Sessions run from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., with optional dinner (5:30) and worship (6:00) offered.
MEET THE NEW LIFE GROUP LEADERS and SIGN UP BELOW!
Liana Fisher
- About Liana - "I'm a married mom of two boys and my family lives in Plymouth. I'm originally from Staten Island, NY., until I moved here in 2001 for work. I met my husband Grant about a year later and we've been together 20 years now (married 15 years this September). In terms of my faith, I was an atheist until someone convinced me to pick up a book and learn more about Jesus when I was 30. That led me down the path of becoming baptized a year or so later.
- Why I volunteered to lead a Life Group - Pastor has talked about how important it is for people to connect outside of church. I still consider my family new to the school. As a parent with a son in fourth grade, I thought this would be a great way to connect with Redeemer parents and God on a more personal level. I hope we can give as much as we get from it. That's likely a combination of forming new friendships, growing in faith, and giving back to the school or community.
Kelly Cwik
- About Kelly - I am a stay at home mom of 3 kids (Sam and Sully, 11, and Sloane, 8), and have been married to my husband Jason since 2007! Redeemer Lutheran Church has been a part of my life since I was born! I was baptized, attended Sunday school, was confirmed and married all at Redeemer! All 3 of my kids were baptized here as well. My faith continues to grow within the walls of this church!
- Why I volunteered to lead a Life Group I have never had a safe space or comfortable place to talk about God unless I was at Church. Pastor reached out to me to co-lead a Life Group and I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn and talk about Jesus. I am hoping to create that safe space for people, provide fellowship and learn and grow with others through our faith in Jesus.
Nancy Lamo
- About Nancy - My husband Bruce and I recently retired and moved from downtown Minneapolis to Independence. I 'found' Redeemer online when looking for a church closer to our new home. We have two grown daughters, one son-in-law, one grandson, and one soon-to-be-son-in-law. I grew up in a Christian home but was lost in the wilderness for 15+ years. God is faithful and good, and I have been walking with Him since I was 35.
- Why I volunteered to lead a Life Group - As the only Christian in my immediate family, I love to talk about God's goodness and faithfulness and God's Word with other followers of Jesus.
Doreen Sullivan
- About Doreen - My daughter Harmony (a Senior at Benilde-St. Margaret’s) and I live in Crystal. I work from home as an Organizational Change Management consultant. I am a baby Christian. I have always believed in God, but in the last few years I have started reading the Bible again and desire to continue growing my relationship with the Lord.
- Why I volunteered to lead a Life Group - I find joy in building meaningful relationships. I am looking forward to developing real connections with those who want to study and grow in faith and fellowship with me in a small group setting.
Adrienne Zhang
- About Adrienne - I have been married to Guang for 14 years. That’s when we moved to Minnesota from Nebraska. I am originally from Nebraska and Guang is originally from China. We have a girl in middle school and a boy in grade school. I am a nurse at a local hospital. I was raised in a Lutheran family, though I did not learn the value of reading the Bible or a devotion on a daily basis till I met people in college doing so.
- Why I volunteered to lead a Life Group - When I first moved to Minnesota, my husband and I visited several churches in the area and joined one that did a version of Life Groups. When our kids came of age to start participating in church activities, we realized that we should try to find a church closer to home. We still have close friends from that first “Life Group”. My hope is that members of our church start to feel like extended family members who hang out with each other, support each other, and invite others to join us.
Tammy Melton
- About Tammy - My husband and I live in Maple Plain and we have five amazing children. God has proven Himself faithful time & again in the many life lessons we have had throughout the years.
- Why did I choose to lead a Life Group? I felt that God was tugging on my heart to lead a life group & give back into the lives of others. Also, what does it look like to be the body of Christ in these trying times? If I could share with others something & make a difference in someone else’s life in a community setting is the heart behind the reason. Doing life together God’s way, through His word and truth.
Deaconess Kris Hanson
- About Kris - My husband Jerry and I have been married for 44 years and are empty-nesters. We live in Jordan, MN with two cats and our dog Spencer. We have three sons, one daughter-in-law, and one 'almost' daughter-in-law. I grew up in a Christian home and later in life attended Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, earning my Master's Degree in Deaconess Studies.
- Why I volunteered to lead a Life Group - I love studying God's Word and sharing and discussing with others. Jerry wanted to join me and we hope to have a 'couples' group where we can study together and also make new friendships and get to know more people at Redeemer.
Pastor Stever Ferber
- About Pastor Steve - I met my better half, my wife Donna, on a Christian website 19 years ago. She lived in Cincinnati and vowed to never move any further north. Now she tells people, “I moved for love!” I am truly grateful for her. We have four beautiful daughters ages 9 to 12, and a wonderful labradoodle named Princess Theodora - Teddi. I am surrounded by females! God called me from sports medicine Physical Therapy to my life as a pastor 32 years ago. I have shepherded Redeemer Lutheran Church for seven years.
- Why I volunteered to lead a Life Group - I am excited to bond with my brothers in our church family by leading a men’s Life Group. Men have special issues; let’s talk, listen, and grow together!
Life Groups
Wednesday Connect Life Groups
Liana & Kelly's Life Group
Nancy Lamo's Life Group
Adrienne Zhang's Life Group
Kris Hanson's Life Group
Tammy Melton's Life Group
Pastor Steve's Men's Life Group
Doreen Sullivan's Life Group