An Interview with Gary Mitchell

What exactly is a Small Group Leader in Student Ministries? What do they do and how did they get started?

When Gary Mitchell was asked how he got involved, he explained, “I was working with adults at first, but I felt compelled to help teach in sixth grade. After my second year of being involved and I knew the kids were going up to 7^th grade, we started talking about life now vs. life when I was a kid.  We discussed topics such as what the differences are between now and then, what they should have and who they should be and afterwards, I thought I would move up with them and become a Small Group Leader (SGL).”

The Small Groups get together for about twenty minutes after the general group gathering on Wednesday nights (for Junior High students) and Sunday nights (for Senior High students). As a leader, Gary tells us, “Most of the time is practical, learning their experiences, helping with what the kids get inundated with and helping them filter it through their beliefs. I wanted to help out and translate the world’s messages for these kids.” Since the leaders typically stay with their group as the kids get older, Gary will “follow the same group as they move up to high school.”

A Small Group typically has 7-9 members of the same gender, and Gary explains, “We love to have new students and leaders join us. If anyone comes in, there’s always room to join in As a leader, it’s nice because you always get something out of both the general group gathering and then the small group meeting. I also look at this as another layer of worshipping.”

Gary tells us that,” Being a leader on Wednesday nights is wonderful because Thursday morning you are re-invigorated and pumped for the rest of the week. It’s a nice shot of adrenaline that I didn’t expect.”

For more information about volunteering in Student Ministries, contact Kristin at kschmidt@calvary-church.com.