Bible Study

Our Bible Studies are for men and women of all ages and denominations, as our goal is to create community.  We average 200 participants per semester (day class) that can represent as many at 40 churches.  The classes run for 9-weeks in the Fall/Winter and 9-weeks in the Winter/Spring.  We have daytime classes that include live worship, teaching by Joanne Ellison, Small Group Discussion, Soaking/Healing Prayer time and free childcare with curriculum.  Our evening classes consist of the teaching via video, small group discussion and prayer. 

Our Small Group Facilitators and Assistants go through extensive training and equipping throughout the year.  They learn how to facilitate the weekly lessons, as well as spend time discussing and understanding the dynamics, challenges and joys of group interaction.  Our daytime Small Groups range in size from 10-20 participants based on attendance for the semester.  The evening class has 25-50 participants and continues to grow, as this is a new addition to our program.

Our Hospitality Team is always available to welcome participants, answer questions and give necessary direction.  Our book table is always open during the daytime class.  All of our books, bible studies, cd's and dvd's are also available to purchase in the "store" section of the website.

Our Compassionate Care Coordinator rotates visiting the small groups weekly.  Her job is to discern the needs of the participants and to ensure that the groups are running effectively and efficiently according to our ministry guidelines.

Community Outreach

We continuously look forward for opportunities to serve people and groups in our community who are in need of assistance.  We provide prayer, donations and assistance according to their specific needs.  We pray about each opportunity and "go" as the Spirit Leads.  We may support a group for a season or an extended period of time.  Our Founder, Joanne Ellison, says, "we cannot sit in our seats and continually consume.  We have to take what is poured into us and pour it out to others!"  We continuously look forward opportunities to co-labor with God to bind up the broken-hearted and set the captives free by loving and serving those who need it the most!

Prayer

Prayer is a integral part of our ministry.  We offer a response prayer, called Soaking Prayer, after each day class.  This is a time for participants to soak/rest in the presence of God in response to the teaching and their small group time.  Prayer Ministers lay hands on those soaking simply to bless what the Lord is already doing.  Many people are touched profoundly during this quiet time with the Lord.

A couple of goals for prayer is to 1.  encourage participants to get quiet before the Lord, to rest in His presence and 2. to help people move closer to an intimate relationship with the Lord, listening for His voice.  So many people need to slow down in their busy lives.  We provide a real resting place for participants to draw close to Him.

Our Soaking Prayer Ministers are trained and equipped throughout the year.

Our Intercessory Prayer Team prays daily for the Ministry and also meets once a month (corporately) to pray and fast.  This team is most important to the ministry and our hope is to continously grow this group of "prayer warrriors" as our ministry moves to the national level.

Resource Distribution & Marketing 

Joanne Ellison has been very busy over the last decade writing bible study curriculum, recording dvd's and cd's to go along with the studies and writing a Daily Devotional.  She is the process of writing her second book, Making Space For God, which will be finished in early 2010.  It is our hope that these amazing resources will continue to make their way into books stores, schools, churches, and small groups around the world.  Our Resource Distribution and Marketing team ensure this is happening, as they continuously seek new relationships and nuture the supporters we currently have in SC and beyond.

Teaching

Joanne Ellison is an anointed teacher and speaker.  She has accepted speaking engagements throughout SC and in the last two years she has spoken at conferences in VA and FL.  Joanne's goal is to spread the Gospel, advance the kingdom and help people draw nearer to God.  Joanne prayerfully considers each request, whether it is an inspirational talk or a three-day conference.  She spends hours in prayer and studying, so that her teaching is God inspired and specific to the group she addressing.  She speaks to both women's and men's groups, couple's retreats, small groups, etc.  Personal stories, humor, scripture and testimonies are what captivates the participant from beginning to end.  Joanne has the unique ability to deposit deep spiritual truth to the listener, on a very practical, liife-applicable level.  This style of teaching helps to fulfill our main ministry mission....

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

James 4:8

If you are interested in volunteering, go to the "interact" section of the website and fill out the volunteer form.