Nick Carnes

I am the proud husband to my wife Nicki of 7 years and the very blessed father to Gavin, Tristan, and Hailey. I currently serve at a 3 year old church plant in Evans, Georgia (The Church @ Greenbrier // www.tcag.cc) as a volunteer leader in their student ministry, coordinating their host team, and as a small group facilitator.

My one passion is to serve my awesome Savior, Jesus Christ, and to passionately pursue him just as he passionately pursued me. I desire to daily grow more in love with Christ, to understand more clearly God’s wisdom and desire for my life. I seek to make my life count for Christ, using what God has blessed me with in order to bless him and to bless others.
 
Although I am naturally selfish, my prayer is that I seek to be a part of God’s plan versus seeking to be successful on my own. I have the awesome privilege of serving as a Purpose Driven Youth Ministry mentor for the state of Georgia, where I get to invest in the lives of other youth workers. I blog at www.nickcarnes.com and also contribute to www.pdymblog.com.

Interview with Editor of SGX:

When did you decide to serve in Small Group Ministry? I started serving in small groups as my previous church transitioned to small groups from Sunday School approximately four or five years ago. I served as an assistant director of small groups for adults; I have coordinated small groups for college ministry and student ministry, and I currently facilitate a community group at my local church.

What encouragement would you offer to small group leaders out there? No matter how difficult it may be to start small groups or to transition into them, don’t give up! Small Groups create vital relationships in the life of Christians, those relationships are not only vital socially, but they are vitally in our spiritual growth process.

In what ways have you and your spouse/family grown spiritually since you have been involved in this ministry? My family and I have grown tremendously through small groups. Not only have we grown closer to God, but we have made life long friends that have graciously allowed us to invest in their lives as they have invested in ours.

Why does small group ministry play such a critical role in the church today? Small groups provide an avenue for people to be real and authentic. There is safety in groups that allow us to take off our masks. It helps the church provide avenues for members to minister and to love others.