At FBC Danville, we think discipleship is important and we want to help you become the followers of Jesus you are called to be. We know life is hectic and sometimes God and our Faith get lost in the shuffle of day-to-day activities. It’s easy to lose track of where we’re going and what we believe when so many things demand our attention. As a culture, we’re stressed out and overwhelmed with the pace of life. Studies show that people are desperate for a real spiritual experience but we don’t know how to get there. We want things to be different but we’re so comfortable with the way things are that we don’t bother to change.We want to offer a plan and a process that will bring you closer to God and help you navigate life’s complexities with faith, hope, and love.

What makes us unique is that we don’t think discipleship is something that happens by accident or without planning. At FBC, we have a plan to make disciples that involves real growth and achievable goals. Often, the lack of a plan or process has been the downfall of many otherwise great discipleship programs. In the face of an overwhelming life, our spiritual growth continually takes a backseat because we don’t see where it’s going or where we’ve come from. We give up on it because we don’t “get it.” At FBC, we’re striving together to change that. We’re striving together to be a church that makes disciples instead of just members.

We believe discipleship is a process of developing people who love and serve God and others. We believe this can be accomplished by focusing on three areas of life in the Church: Worship, Community, and Service.

We invite you to commit with us to take five steps toward spiritual growth and maturity: (1) Sunday Morning Worship, (2) Wednesday Night Gathering, (3) Small Groups, (4) Service in the Church, and (5) Service in the World.

You can learn more about our plan by reading the brochure.

(1) Sunday Morning Worship

We come together as a body on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. Typically, we leave at around 11:30 a.m. This is a time where we focus on learning to love God. This assembly is not about us but, rather, about the God we desire to follow. As we draw closer to God in these moments, we come away transformed by the God who is Love.

You can learn more about our worship by reading the brochure.

(2) Wednesday Night Gathering

We gather on Wednesday night to form relationships and share a common meal. In this and the next step, we are learning to love other people. Christians confess that there is something special and holy about a shared meal where we gather together to be with one another. When you feel ready or desire to be more involved and grow spiritually, you are invited to attend this gathering.

Nursery care is provided for families. Children and youth activities are planned for each week, as well.

You can learn more about our Wednesday Night Gathering by reading the brochure.

(3) Small Groups

As you become more connected to the people of the Church and want to continue the process of learning to love other people, we invite you to connect with one of our many and various small groups. This will be an opportunity to deepen the relationships that you’re already building. Some meet weekly. Some meet monthly. Our goal is to connect you with the group that is the best fit for your spiritual development.

We believe that there is a small group in our church that is a good fit for you. As you attend the Wednesday Night Gathering, you will hear about various small groups and probably meet some of the leaders. When you find one that you would like to try and feel ready to take this step, please let the leader know and they’ll help you connect with the group.

If you need help finding a group or have questions about them, you are welcome to e-mail Joshua Hearne (our Associate Pastor for Discipleship Ministries) and he will be delighted to help you.

You can learn more about our small groups by reading the brochure.

(4) Service in the Church

As we continue the path of spiritual growth and maturity, we begin to learn to serve God and others. In our plan, this begins by becoming involved in service within the walls of the church. This is not because we feel that we must be served first before we’ll serve anybody else–quite the opposite, in fact–but because we want to help you learn how to serve God and others by starting with a community that is familiar with you.

If you have trouble finding where it is that you feel you should be (where you are called to be), then please don’t hesitate to ask for help in discerning this important question.

You can learn more about service in the Church by reading the brochure.

(5) Service in the World

Finally, after doing the previous four steps, you’ll be invited to begin serving in any of the multiple ministry projects in which we participate. FBC is committed to taking care of local, regional, national, and international concerns. We believe that the Church is most fully the Church when it is pouring itself out for others and being consumed by a desire to love and serve others.

We’ve involved in multiple projects that may be of interest to you: HopeTree Family Services, Habitat for Humanity, God’s Storehouse, House of Hope, Sunday Morning Breakfast Club, and others. We invite you to be involved, as well.

You can learn more about FBC’s service in the world by reading the brochure.

And On…

Take your time–there is no rush to move through the steps–but know that these five steps are just the beginning of the journey. But like any journey, the first steps are the most important. Those who are involved in all five steps do not simply stop growing or should they assume that they’re “as mature as they’ll ever be.” Instead, they’ll continue to be involved in the life of the Church but spiritual growth will have become a part of their life and they’ll know the path they’re on. We have a plan and we want you to be a part of it. It involves loving and serving God and others and we know that it will make a difference. Will you join with us in making a difference?

If you have any questions, please e-mail or call Joshua Hearne (our Associate Pastor for Discipleship Ministries) at (434) 793.8331 or (434) 489.5064.