Small Groups

Small Groups

Small Groups

At Grace Life we believe that the primary ministry of the church is the preaching of God’s Word…however, we also believe that a well organized ministry of Small Groups allows the people of God to have a venue to study God’s Word together, as well as, practically live out what they have learned.

Our Small Group Strategy explains what our main goals are…

"The church organized into Small Groups (Sunday School) to evangelize the lost, equip the saved, and provide fellowship to meet individual needs."

  • With a time set aside for Small Groups to be involved in church wide outreach evangelism (organized for and around their Small Group), every Christian can be faithful to follow God’s command to evangelize the lost.
  • With a time of Bible study, prayer and fellowship, Small Groups seek to foster relationships and provide opportunities for encouragement and accountability to equip the saved.
  • As the people of God grow in the knowledge of the Scriptures, as well as grow to love the members of their Small Group, this love will provide fellowship to meet individual needs.


As you can see, Small Groups is an outlet for each member of the congregation to serve the Lord and use their spiritual gifts to make an impact for the glory of God through the local church. Small Groups is also a time where we work diligently to train the next generation of children and students in the disciplines and instruction of the Lord.

Our Small Group classes are graded by age and gender. We believe that grading by age and gender provides the best teaching opportunity, and it also offers the most logical plan for adding new classes. When you create classes by age and gender, teaching and learning are more effective.

We practice "open enrollment" at Grace Life. This means that you are invited to enroll in one of our Small Groups regardless of your religious affiliation, your knowledge of the Bible and your involvement in another Bible study. To enroll in Small Group Bible Study you do not need to join the church, read the Bible or pray aloud or obligate yourself in any way. When you enroll you will find interactive Bible teaching, caring people, genuine friendship, and support in times of need.


The Coordinator for Small Group Ministries is David Young. You may contact him at dyoung@gracelifeshoals.org.

To promote watch care and ministry, our Small Groups are organized into four divisions:


DIVISION 1

  • Preschool classes: Newborn – Kindergarten
  • Children’s classes: Grades 1-5
  • Adults: Ages 18-39 (including Couples 18-35)

Division 1 Leaders
Matt Fowler, minister mfowler@gracelifeshoals.org
Tom Clay, minister tclay@gracelifeshoals.org
Alex Bromhead, minister abromhead@gracelifeshoals.org
Cindy Statom, nursery coordinator cstatom@gracelifeshoals.org
Karen Farris, secretary kfarris@gracelifeshoals.org

Division 1 Elders
Phil Baggett elders@gracelifeshoals.org
Michael Statom mstatom@gracelifeshoals.org
David Wigginton elders@gracelifeshoals.org


DIVISION 2

  • Student classes: Grades 6-12
  • Adults: Ages 40-49 (including Couples 36 & older)

Division 2 Leaders
Steve McAlister, minister smcalister@gracelifeshoals.org
Justin Cosby, minister jcosby@gracelifeshoals.org
Anna James, secretary ajames@gracelifeshoals.org

Division 2 Elders
Donnie Dulaney, elder elders@gracelifeshoals.org
Jim Fowler, elder elders@gracelifeshoals.org


DIVISION 3

  • Adults: Ages 50-64

Division 3 Leaders
Tim Martin, minister tmartin@gracelifeshoals.org
Betty Ann Crawford, secretary bcrawford@gracelifeshoals.org

Division 3 Elders
Steve Bradley, elder elders@gracelifeshoals.org
Andy Bolding, elder elders@gracelifeshoals.org


DIVISION 4

  • Adults: Ages 65 & older

Division 4 Leaders
Bill Newman, minister bnewman@gracelifeshoals.org
Betty Ann Crawford, secretary bcrawford@gracelifeshoals.org

Division 4 Elders
Bill Newman elders@gracelifeshoals.org
Alvin Lynch elders@gracelifeshoals.org


Small Groups meet every Sunday morning at 9:00. For more information about the class or division to which you would belong, or to enroll in a Small Group class, contact one of the leaders for your division or our Small Groups Office at 256-248-0832. You may also come to any Welcome Center on Sunday morning to get directions to your appropriate class.