My friend received the Holy Ghost in home group

[Michelle]

Our home group is awesome! A friend has been attending our home group regularly since November. She was a very wounded person who really needed some close friendships, and our home group provided a great atmosphere for genuine fellowship and emotional ministry. After sharing her hurts with the group a couple of weeks ago, she began to cry, and it became quickly apparent that Jesus was there to fill her with His Spirit. Sure enough, within minutes, she had received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Right after that, we drove to the church where our pastor met us, and she was baptized in the name of Jesus. Praise God! I'm so thankful for the personal, intimate ministry that our home group provides. It is definitely a vital part of our church, for outreach and for discipleship.

[Joan]

Praise the Lord Michelle!!! That is wonderful news! I have seen many wonderful things happen in Home Groups myself. As a matter of fact, I received a healing in my body at a Home Group once.

[Michelle]

Joan,

That's great news about your healing. So you have home groups in your church?

[Joan]

I used to be part of Home Groups. Unfortunately, I no longer go to the same church anymore and don't have the blessing of it. As you know, Home Groups can be a tremendous blessing. The absense of Home Groups in my current situation, is quite noticable. It's noticable in my own walk with the Lord, but I see how needed it is by others in the church who have no idea that Home Groups is what they need.

I wonder if some pastors buck against home groups out of fear that a really good home group leader will try to ascend the throne so to speak. If I may be frank about that, I think that's weak. I've never known a home group leader to get any ideas like that. If there's room enough for home group leaders to grow in their ministry, and are real servant/leaders, what's to fear?