A tug at her heart and a nudge from the College Ave (CA) Church team led Carissa Cannon, a fourth-year media communication major at Point Loma Nazarene University, to lead a church group this semester.
CA is a Baptist church less than two miles outside the San Diego State University campus that encourages weekly “life groups” led by leaders who meet for 8- to 11-week quarters. Meetings include discussing the Sunday sermons, studying Scripture, listening to perspectives and prayer.
Cannon co-leads her group every Thursday night at her home in Point Loma with her friend, Mira Ford, a PLNU alumna. They prepare for their group by praying and planning for the conversation.
Cannon heard about the opportunity to become a leader from another church leader. She said she felt called by God and ready to lead.
“When the life group team reached out to me, it genuinely felt like the Lord was answering so many prayers,” she said.
Serena Hawkins, a second-year computer science major at PLNU, attends Cannon’s life group. Hawkins was inspired to join after hearing a message from the church’s pastor, Chris Hilken.
“I wanted to get more involved and get to know this church community, and life groups seemed like a great way to do that,” Hawkins said in an email interview.
Nayah Jourdan, a second-year biology-chemistry major, attends a different CA life group led by a PLNU alumna and said they open the meeting with casual conversation, then discuss the sermon.
“I think it’s shaped me by giving me a community surrounding me with the same faith beliefs, which makes it easier to talk about faith and how to grow in it with like-minded people,” Jourdan said.
Cannon said she was “slightly uncomfortable” when starting a life group with strangers. However, with time, she said the group has opened up.
“From the first day to the last of the quarter, the growth in the vulnerability and the comfortability in the group dynamic feels like a family,” Cannon said. “I think that’s so important to cultivate in this stage of life.”
According to Hawkins, the group has been like this since their first meeting.
“I remember our first meeting — everyone had the courage to just be so vulnerable and open about their lives,” Hawkins said. “Everyone responded so lovingly with prayer, encouragement and wisdom. It was sweet because everyone was so intentional and kind in this moment and instantly broke any awkwardness or fear of vulnerability.”
CA emphasizes a mantra of “connect, grow, share and serve” for their leaders to focus on. To Cannon, the growth portion is most evident in her group.
“Especially at this stage of life, we’re constantly moving, always busy and often just going through the motions,” Cannon said. “I try to create space to slow down, reflect on our week and share those reflections with one another.”
Hawkins said the relationships she has built have been a reminder of how faith grows best in community.
“There’s something so special about having a space for people to gather to do life together and guide each other on our walks with the Lord,” Hawkins said. “It’s truly such a blessing to participate in.”
