Cell Group Ministry at Westgate Chapel

Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 5:41-42  

You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. Acts 20:19-21

In some churches, small groups are  just one of many programs or ministries. At our church, cell groups are the core of all that we do. Westgate Chapel is a "cell-based" church. This type of church may seem new, but its origins go back to the earliest days of the Christian Church, where believers met primarily in each others homes and before there were committees and programs. Much more than a weekly Bible study, the cells create an "extended family" atmosphere.  Here, relationships run deep and meaningful friendships are made. As cells meet, there are opportunities to ask questions, to discuss, to laugh, to cry, and to pray with each other in a safe, non-threatening, informal atmosphere.

Cell groups are a place to grow in your spiritual gifts,  especially the gift of leadership. In many churches, most of the teaching is "top down", with little opportunity for interaction and experiential learning.  Jesus taught his disciples by example and by relationship in a small group setting.  Romans 12 tells us, "...if someone's gift is leadership, let them lead!" Likewise, in many churches there are very few opportunities to learn and practice the gift of leadership, or most of the other gifts.  This leaves people frustrated and stagnant in their spiritual walk.  Cell groups provide an unlimited number of opportunities to learn and practice all of the spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible.  We have seen many healings and even miracles happen in small groups!  As people learn to use their spiritual gifts in the safe context of a cell group, they are then prepared to take their gift out and use it where it's really needed... to their workplace and the world.