“Come and see.” John 1:39

Engage is where your journey with Jesus begins. It is a place to ask questions, explore faith, seek truth, and discover who Jesus is. Just as Jesus invited His first followers to “come and see,” we believe you don’t have to have everything figured out before taking your first step. Whether you are exploring Christianity for the first time or simply learning to follow Jesus more intentionally, Engage is about encountering Jesus through Scripture, prayer, worship, and everyday life.

“They devoted themselves to fellowship.” Acts 2:42

Connect is about building meaningful relationships with other followers of Jesus. We were never designed to follow Jesus alone, and sometimes the first thing we need is simply people who will walk with us through life. Connect groups and opportunities at ECF are designed to help you build friendships, laugh together, share life, and experience the kind of Christian community where you know you belong. Whether it’s a hike, picnic, BBQ, game night, shopping trip, or time at the beach, Connect helps us move from simply attending church to becoming part of a community.

“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son.” Romans 8:29

Forge is where we move from simply following Jesus to being changed by Jesus. God’s goal is not merely that we believe in Jesus, but that we become more like Him. Just as a blacksmith uses heat and pressure to shape metal into something stronger and more useful, God uses His Word, our circumstances, challenges, and other people to shape us into the character of Jesus. Forge groups meet regularly to study Scripture, pray, encourage one another, and develop the spiritual habits and relationships that help us grow toward Christlikeness.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

Coach is about having someone intentionally invest in your spiritual growth. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus spending one-on-one time with people, helping them take their next step. A coach is someone who is a little further down the trail who can walk alongside you, study the life of Jesus with you, ask the questions you may not want to answer, speak truth when you need to hear it, encourage you when you want to quit, and help you see things in yourself that you may not see on your own. We believe intentional one-on-one coaching is one of the most powerful ways to become more like Jesus.

“Go and make disciples of all the nations… and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19

Reproduce is where we move from being changed by Jesus to living on the mission of Jesus. Jesus didn’t call us simply to become better Christians, attend church, or serve in a ministry. He called us to make disciples who make disciples. Reproduce means taking what God has done in your life and helping someone else take the same journey, whether by coaching, mentoring, leading, or simply investing in another person. It is not the final step of the pathway. It is the beginning of the journey all over again as we go back down the mountain to help someone else make the climb.