Joining together as a community, we at GoChurch Beirut believe that the church is not a building or a Sunday service but a living, breathing fellowship of believers who love, grow, and go together. Our church model revolves around a Groups-Centered approach. This distinctive focus brings discipleship, community, and spiritual growth into the daily lives of our members. This article explores the heart of this model, detailing how GoChurch Beirut’s groups serve as the primary setting for connection, spiritual maturity, and missional engagement.
The vision of GoChurch Beirut centers on three pillars: Love, Grow, and Go. These pillars embody the mission of creating a space where people can experience genuine love, grow in their relationship with Christ, and be empowered to fulfill the Great Commission. While these principles may seem familiar, our approach to realizing them is unique. Everything at GoChurch happens within the framework of small, relational groups known as Grow Groups. These groups form the bedrock of our community, fostering deep relationships and spiritual growth in a way that larger gatherings often cannot achieve.
The Heart of GoChurch: Grow Groups
At the core of GoChurch Beirut’s model are our Grow Groups—small, intimate gatherings where individuals share their lives, support one another, and walk together in faith. Grow Groups meet regularly in homes and other casual settings throughout Beirut, creating an environment where genuine relationships flourish. Here, members gather to study the Word, share their personal journeys, pray for each other, and offer encouragement through life’s highs and lows.
Our Grow Groups operate under four guiding values: Care, Accountability, Activation, and Communication (CAAC). These values serve as a foundation for each group, ensuring every member is seen, valued, and encouraged to grow in their faith. This commitment to CAAC is inspired by the early church model found in Acts 2:42-47, where believers met in homes, broke bread together, and supported one another in all things. At GoChurch, this relational discipleship is practical and essential for an authentic Christian community.
Care
The first value, Care, reflects our commitment to creating a safe, nurturing environment within each Grow Group. Members are encouraged to care for one another as they navigate the challenges of daily life. This includes practical support, such as helping with personal needs, and emotional and spiritual support through prayer and encouragement. Care is the first step toward creating an atmosphere where people feel genuinely known and valued.
Accountability
In a world that often emphasizes individualism, accountability can seem countercultural. However, Accountability is crucial for spiritual growth. In our Grow Groups, accountability is not about judgment but about lovingly challenging each other to live according to God’s Word. Members hold each other accountable to the values and teachings of Christ, fostering a culture where everyone can be open about their struggles and celebrate their victories. This value helps people stay grounded in their faith and encourages them to pursue Christlikeness.
Activation
Our third value, Activation, reminds us that faith is not passive. Grow Groups encourage members to activate their faith, using their gifts to serve the church and the world around them. This activation takes many forms, from serving within the church to participating in outreach projects that address real needs in our city. Activation is a practical expression of our faith, ensuring our beliefs translate into action. Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19, NIV) inspires us to move beyond passive belief and engage actively in our communities.
Communication
Finally, Communication is essential for building trust and deepening relationships. Healthy, Christ-centered communication enables Grow Group members to share their thoughts, experiences, and questions openly. This value promotes transparency and fosters stronger connections, making each member feel supported and understood.
Gatherings & Teams
While Grow Groups form the core of our church, we also have larger gatherings that unite all groups. Our church family meets twice monthly for BIG SUNDAY Gatherings and Believer’s Gatherings. BIG SUNDAY is held on the second Sunday of each month, providing a time for corporate worship, teaching, and fellowship. These gatherings allow our entire community to unite, worship as one, and receive a unified vision for the church’s mission.
Believer’s Gatherings, held on the fourth Friday of each month, are focused on deeper worship, prayer, and spiritual growth. They provide a setting for more intense ministry and reflection, helping our community grow in its relationship with God. While these gatherings are vital for unity and encouragement, the strength of GoChurch remains in the relationships and discipleship found within Grow Groups.
Supporting these gatherings are our Serve Teams, which consist of volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to ensuring that our meetings run smoothly. Serving on a team is a practical way to contribute to the church and a profoundly spiritual experience that activates members’ faith. Whether they are welcoming attendees, setting up spaces, or managing technical aspects of the gathering, Serve Team members play a crucial role in creating an environment where people can encounter God.
Stories of Transformation: How Groups Impact Lives
The impact of Grow Groups extends far beyond church meetings. Over the years, we have witnessed countless stories of transformation as members find healing, purpose, and community through their involvement in these groups.
Emile, a father of 3, shared that he came to aplace in his life where he screamed at a God he did not know for help. He did not know what to do, but knew that his life had to change. Then he got a phone call from someone in the GoChurch family. Emile said he did not know why, but he said yes to the invite to come to the BIG SUNDAY. That was one year ago. Now Emile leads a Bible study at his work sharing the unconditional love of Jesus he received with others.
Going Beyond: Grow Groups as Mission Engines
At GoChurch, we see our Grow Groups as more than spaces for discipleship; they are engines for mission. Each group is encouraged to seek ways to serve the local community, engaging in outreach that meets real needs. From distributing food to vulnerable families to offering practical assistance during times of crisis, our groups embody the love of Christ through their actions. This approach allows GoChurch to respond quickly and effectively to needs within Beirut, leveraging the relationships and networks built through Grow Groups.
This missional focus is rooted in Acts 1:8, where Jesus instructs His followers to be His witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (NIV). For GoChurch, Beirut is our Jerusalem, and our Grow Groups are the means through which we reach our city with the love of Christ. By empowering members to serve, GoChurch enables them to experience the joy and fulfillment of being a part of God’s mission.
Love, Grow, and Go
The Groups-Centered model at GoChurch Beirut is more than a structure; it is an invitation. We believe everyone has a place in God’s family to be loved, grow, and go. Whether you are new to faith or have been walking with Christ for years, there is a Grow Group that can help you deepen your relationship with God and others. By joining a Grow Group, you are not just becoming part of a church—you are joining a family where you are known, valued, and supported.
Through Care, Accountability, Activation, and Communication, our Grow Groups create a setting where discipleship is authentic, practical, and transformative. The stories of people like Krystel and Elia remind us that God is at work within our community, using relationships to bring about lasting change. As our groups continue to serve the city of Beirut, we are excited to see how God will use GoChurch to make a difference.
Your Place at GoChurch
At GoChurch, we believe that the church is more than a place to attend—it is a community to belong to, where faith becomes action and lives are transformed. Our Groups-Centered model reflects this conviction, creating spaces where people in Beirut can experience love, grow in their faith, and engage in the Great Commission.
We want you to know that every group meeting, every act of service, and every story of transformation at GoChurch is a testament to your support and generosity. By standing with us, you are helping us build a church in Beirut and fueling a movement that empowers believers to live out the Gospel in one of the world’s most complex regions.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your prayers, encouragement, and contributions are instrumental in making GoChurch a place where people can Love, Grow, and Go. The seeds you help plant in Beirut will bear fruit for generations. Through your partnership, we are impacting the nation for Christ—one life, one community, one city at a time.
