Tag Archive for: Small Group

A New Creation: The Kevin Mikulan Story

When Kevin Mikulan started dipping his toes into the party scene, he thought everything would be fine. He enjoyed his new friends, and the alcohol made him feel good. He felt like he was finally finding the acceptance and respect he longed for. Most of all, he gained a reprieve from the growing depression that gnawed at his heart and mind. But those first steps soon transitioned into hard drugs and a sense of deepening inner emptiness that he couldn’t escape.

Stepping into a bar was a drastic shift from the conservative Christian environment in which he grew up. He was the son of two Christians who never touched alcohol or drugs. Throughout his childhood and middle school years, his family regularly attended a church that Kevin saw as very strict. Describing this time in his life, Kevin said, “I knew all the stories of the Bible. I knew of God, but I didn’t have a relationship with God. I could recite verses and I could tell you any story in the Bible back then, but it was never a relationship.”

When he was a freshman in high school, his family began attending Clear Creek Community Church, which felt like a whole new world. Now he saw people full of love and joy, and the atmosphere felt free of the judgment he’d felt at his previous church.

Throughout his high school years, his parents were actively involved in the church, and this naturally trickled down to Kevin and his siblings. Kevin even completed two summer internships at the church, seeing the details of how the church operated. To him, Clear Creek appeared to be a church fully committed to furthering the kingdom of God.

During this time, Kevin was sheltered from the outside world, temptations, and struggles. He didn’t experience much of what the world was really like. But that was about to change.

After completing high school, Kevin started going to the College of the Mainland Fire Academy, originally intending to be a firefighter, though he changed course after graduation. For the first time in his life, he was totally independent, able to go places without the knowledge of his parents or those they knew.

That’s when he started dipping his toes into clubs and alcohol use. Such things were strongly discouraged throughout his upbringing, and as he started to explore, he was surprised that those things felt okay. He tried more things, including marijuana. Everything felt new and strange to him, even crazy, but he enjoyed it. He was getting the acceptance from people that he craved, and he adopted a proud, “I’m the man” mentality. But he hid his activities from his parents, feeling that he should pretend to be a Christian to keep them happy.

Throughout Kevin’s second year of college, he delved deeper into the party scene including harder and harder drugs. He stepped away from the church, only going on rare occasions to keep his parents happy. Kevin still tried to hide what he was doing from them, but they could tell something was going on.

One day his parents sat before him, crying and saying, “What are you doing, Kevin? This is not who we raised you to be.”

He lied to them, trying to convince them that he was not doing drugs. He eventually stopped talking to them altogether, but his parents never stopped loving him or praying for him.

The next time he spoke to them was when his father had a major heart attack. Kevin went to the hospital and saw the medical staff working to keep his dad alive. He prayed, “God, if you’re really there, help him. If you help him, I’ll believe in you.” His dad improved, and as Kevin had bargained, he gave up alcohol and drugs. But two months later he backslid.

After graduating from the Fire Academy, an inner sense of loneliness grew within Kevin, despite having many friends and family around him. He didn’t know if he was happy or sad, and he started to question who he was. This transformed into deep, gnawing depression, which he tried to suppress by trying crazier and crazier things. He felt broken and lost.

At the same time, hatred grew in his heart towards God and Christians. He felt like God must be egotistical if he demanded praise, worship, and one’s entire life in exchange for salvation. And when Christians offered to pray for him, he felt indignant, thinking they were hypocrites no better than himself. Everything in church felt so fake.

Then, he ran into Amanda, his future wife, at a concert. He decided to quit hard drugs, figuring there was no reason to do them while he was in a relationship. But he continued going to bars and clubs, drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. He would get into fights, and when they were over, he looked for Amanda only to find that she had left the bar. She caused him to reevaluate what kind of man he was going to be. But there was still a part of him that felt like he needed to pretend to be a Christian, for her and for everyone else in his life.

Kevin had many conversations with his brother Kyle and his friend Carson on Kyle’s back patio. They talked to him about Jesus, and he finally told them that he was not a Christian. Carson said, “That’s the most honest I’ve ever heard you be.” The comment cut Kevin to the core.

He realized he didn’t have to pretend anymore, and he was honest with Kyle, Carson, and Amanda about struggling with the idea of Christianity. They lovingly came alongside him and helped him gather whatever answers they could.

Kevin and Amanda married in 2022, and his first son was born in 2023. Motivated to be a good husband and loving father, Kevin decided to completely leave his old lifestyle behind, a decision Amanda played a key role in. She helped him make practical decisions about things to cut out of his life so he would no longer participate in the same activities he had before, including drinking at bars and smoking marijuana.

Kevin knew that his parents and his in-laws would expect his child to be raised in church, but he did not want to put his son in a place that taught things he didn’t believe in. He started re-learning about Christianity and joined a small group. He asked many questions, and those around him listened patiently and without judgment. It was one of the first times in his life he experienced unconditional love.

Kyle was intentional with Kevin, often inviting him to things to spend time with him. One invitation was a pickleball event hosted by the church. Kevin went, and the first person he saw was the father of his ex-girlfriend — a girl he had dated in high school and broken up with early in college when he had started drifting away from Christ. Kevin tried to hide his face in shame, expecting the father to have an angry or even violent reaction after the poor way Kevin had treated his daughter. But instead of hitting him, his ex-girlfriend’s father gave him a big hug and told him he missed him. He asked about Kevin’s wife and child, and other details of his life. Kevin was blown away by the grace he was shown and felt he had truly experienced God’s love.

Kevin was placed on a randomized team for a pickleball tournament and ended up on a team with none other than his ex-girlfriend’s husband. As before, Kevin expected a fight or bad blood, but instead, the young man smiled at him and shook his hand. Kevin was again astounded by the display of God’s love and grace.

Then Kevin went on a drive to Dallas with a friend. During the four-hour trip, his friend shared about the deep brokenness going on in his life. Kevin was surprised to find himself encouraging his friend with things that others had been telling him about God and Jesus — things he didn’t believe himself. Kevin realized he had to decide whether he was truly on board with Jesus or not. God’s peace washed over him as he realized it was okay not to have all the answers. He went home, and as he sat crying in a closet, he prayed and gave his life to Christ.

After this, Kevin’s entire mindset changed. Before, he wanted to be a good husband, but now he wanted to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He wanted to be a good father, but now he wanted to find ways to point his son to Christ. He had been focused on himself and his family, but now he wanted to get more involved in his church and serve other people.

His relationships have also changed. Although he loved his wife before, their now shared love of Christ added a new dimension and depth to their marriage. His relationship with his parents was restored. He talked to people at work he hadn’t talked to before, encouraging them to come to church. He even reached out to friends from his old life, sharing the gospel.

Kevin’s anger towards God and Christians completely melted away. Before, Kevin thought God must be egotistical to demand praise, but now, looking at all the changes in his life, he couldn’t imagine not praising him and living for him.

Wanting to obey Christ and to set a good example for his son, Kevin was baptized in December 2024. Today, he serves in the Student Ministry at Clear Creek Community Church as a leader for middle school boys. He has a Top Five list of people he prays for and seeks to build relationships with so he can extend to them the hope of Christ. Free of alcohol and drug dependency, anger, and depression, he now loves to reach out to those around him to tell them about Jesus.

The Kim Halverson Story

God used the ladies around Kimberly to put her on a new path of seeing not only her strengths, but also how he could use even her weaknesses to bring him glory and reflect his character.

Here is the full Kim Halverson story:

The Michael Jeffrey Story

“My small group is a safe place to ask my questions and I can honestly say it’s changed my life!”

Here is the full story of Michael Jeffrey’s small group experience.

Check out more information on small groups at clearcreek.org/smallgroups.

The Sidman Story

Ross and Alana Sidman have been small group Navigators at Clear Creek for years, living on mission, and inviting others to church all while walking their dog.

The Abby Steele Story

Small group is a place you can come as you are, without fear of judgment, and be met with authenticity and acceptance.

Here is the story of Abby Steele’s small group experience.

Check out more information on small groups at clearcreek.org/smallgroups.

The Josh Yahoudy Story (Full)

Being in community in small group is where we believe that you will experience the greatest spiritual growth. It’s in small group that we are able to ask our questions, be vulnerable and honest with each other, care for each other, and encourage each other as we pursue God together.

Here is the full story of Josh Yahoudy’s small group experience.

Check out more information on small groups at clearcreek.org/smallgroups

 

The Jordan St. John Story

“I came with all of my questions and doubts and they loved me through it.” – Jordan

Here is the full story of Jordan St. John’s small group experience.

Check out more information on small groups at clearcreek.org/smallgroups

The Kate Mendoza & Emily Roy Story

Kate Mendoza started a women’s small group in March of 2020 and quickly watched her group grow together and take next steps in their walk with Jesus.

 

The Gilbert George Story

Gilbert George prayed to receive Christ in the summer of 1962 when he was 10 years old.

Now at 69 years old, Gil has been attending Clear Creek Community Church for just over a year. He’s a member of a men’s small group and has started serving on the Prayer Team at Egret Bay.

But there’s something you should know about Gil. He is visually impaired.

For over a decade he’s lived without sight.

But that hasn’t prevented him from wanting to grow. Although he’s been on the journey of following Christ for a long time, Gil knows he’s still only scratched the surface of who God is and how he loves.

So, each week on an alternating schedule, one of the guys drives to Gil’s home and brings him to small group. And to further include him, they even recorded a special audio version of Clear Creek’s Missional Community small group study, so Gil could study the material and participate in the discussion.

Gil’s impairment also hasn’t prevented him from wanting to serve others. Although he loves to meet new people, Gil knows he doesn’t need his eyes to pray for them. Ears to hear, a hand to hold, and a voice to speak to God are his tools of ministry.

And so each week, when he is scheduled to serve, a guy from his small group drives to Gil’s home and brings him to church so he can passionately pray for people who are hurting and need encouragement.

Growing together to stir up affections for the Lord and caring for one another in order to serve others — this is what authentic gospel community looks like.

And even if Gilbert George can’t see it all for himself, he knows it deeper still.

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…” Romans 12:4-6a

Bay Area Turning Point

“It’s a really neat opportunity to grow spiritually, to step out of that comfort zone, and to bring a little bit of joy, and share Jesus with people that are hurting today.” – Gina Holstein

 

Learn more about Bay Area Turning Point and how you can help make a difference at https://www.bayareaturningpoint.org/

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Tag Archive for: Small Group

202: Do Top 5 Lists Really Make a Difference?

Small groups and Top Five lists have been a fundament part of how CCCC seeks to grow in faith and spread the gospel of Jesus.

But do they really have an impact?

In this episode, Ted Ryskoski hears the incredible story of how Steven Pittman, Derek Willis, Larry Crochet, and Josh Yahoudy came to Christ through the faithfulness of God working through the commitment of these families to invite others to know and follow Jesus.

050: What Makes Biblical Community Unique?

Biblical Community is one of the core values of Clear Creek Community Church. On this episode, Ryan talks with Bruce Wesley and Karl Garcia about what “Biblical Community” means, how it became a core value, and how it influences every aspect of the church.

RESOURCES:

Side by Side by Ed Welch

Life Together Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Lost Art of Disciple Making by LeRoy Eims

Small Groups, Big Impact by Jim Egli and Dwight Marble

Transformational Groups by Ed Stetzer and Eric Geiger

031: How to Have Real Community in a Digital World

Our community has been ordered to shelter at home and engage in social distancing. As a church, we have suspended all in-person gatherings until further notice. But, does that mean you have to miss out on real relationships? On this episode, Ryan Lehtinen talks with Karl Garcia and Jon Crump about how to have real community in a digital world.

RESOURCES:

Video Conferencing Tools: Skype, Zoom, Teams, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, Duo,

Virtual Group Best Practices

Wanting to join a group?

004: The Power of Small Group: The Stories of Karl Garcia, John Amato, and Matt Jones

In this episode, Karl Garcia shares his story about connecting with a Clear Creek small group and the role it played in his faith journey. Karl also sits down with two entrepreneurs, John Amato (on location at John’s restaurant) and Matt Jones, about their stories when it comes to the importance of small group in their lives.