Small Group Ministry

What are Small Groups?

Small groups are welcoming and caring communities of believers that intentionally meet together on a regular basis for the purpose of growing Christ-centered relationships that spur each other on toward love and good deeds.

They are an important way to build relationships, strengthen discipleship, and demonstrate biblical hospitality to those outside our congregation. Small groups don’t replace our Sunday corporate worship, but instead are microcosms within our local congregation.

Core Practices

Acts 2:42: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

Each small group will be built around these three practices:

Good food and conversation
In-depth discussion and application of spiritual topic, passage, resource, etc.
Prayer (in various forms)

Where Are They?

Currently we have small groups gathering in Tempe, Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale/Mesa, and in the Neighborhood around Living Faith.

Want to Hear More?

Listen to Fr. Peter explain the purpose and culture of our Small Group ministry

Values

These values reflect the good culture which we desire to embody within each small group:

Gospel Centered
Geographically Focused
Authentic Relationships
Small
Missional
Reproducing
Church as Family
Children and Youth
Apprenticing Leaders
Word and Table
Accountable

Find A Group & Sign-Up

Group Leaders

Neighborhood

Fr. Bob and Amy Fabey will be leading our newest small group in the immediate neighborhood of Living Faith. Bob and Amy have been in ministry together for over 20 years and have two grown kids, Hannah (Quinn) and JP. Bob serves as a Priest in Residence at Living Faith, and Amy serves in the music ministry. They delight in showing hospitality to others.

Tempe

Theo and Crystal Davis co-lead the Tempe Small Group. They have lived in Tempe since 2012 when they moved to plant an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship chapter at ASU. They both have several years of experience working with college students in Christian ministry. They now both work for the Arizona Early Intervention Program, Theo as an occupational therapist and Crystal as a speech-language pathologist. They enjoy coaching families and parents as they help their young children grow. Together they enjoy traveling, cooking, gardening, tending to their chickens and their lazy greyhound Sven and taking care of their two young daughters.

Matt and Krissy Martin co-lead the Tempe Small Group. The Martins joined Living Faith and the Tempe Small Group in Fall '21. They have been involved in small groups and ministry in Tempe since they met at ASU almost 25 years ago. Krissy also serves as a member of Living Faith’s Vestry. They are excited to build community with people in all walks of life who are interested in following Jesus.

Ahwatukee

Fr. Carl and Debby Smith lead the Ahwatukee Small Group. Carl has served as a pastor and professor during his career, and Debby has been a high school teacher. She is a trained Spiritual Director, and Carl serves as the Associate Rector of Living Faith and the Director of the Anglican Center of Theology and Formation. They were high school sweethearts and have five adult children, seven grandchildren, and two dogs – Francis and Clare. They delight in journeying with people in their life of faith and look forward to welcoming you to their home.

Chandler

Robert and Jenn Polen lead the Chandler Small Group. They married after developing a friendship while Robert was Jenn’s small group leader. The Polens have two children, Henry (9) and Anastasia (4). They relocated to the Valley during the summer of 2021 and have been actively involved in Living Faith ever since, joining in membership in September ’21, and receiving confirmation that October. Robert has been actively involved in ministry contexts since he was a teen, having served both vocationally and as a lay church member. Likewise, Jenn is excited to jump in wherever her skills are useful. The Polens are eager to welcome new friends and deepen existing relationships in Chandler this year.

Gilbert

Jason and Stephanie Lloyd lead the Gilbert Small Group. They have been married for ten years and have a son, Clark (4), with a daughter on the way (November 2023). They joined Living Faith during the summer of 2021, becoming members that Fall and receiving Confirmation in the Spring of 2023. Jason and Stephanie joined the Gilbert small group in the Fall of 2021, then became the host house for the group the following year. They are excited to continue to be a part of the Gilbert small group as the new leaders and look forward to all that God has in store for the group in this coming year.

Scottsdale/Mesa