Powerful Small Groups – Committed Communities for Connection in Healing
Community… what is it, really?
We’ve all heard slogans like “Better Together,” “Together Apart — Staying Smart,” and “Strong Minds — Strong Communities.” While catchy, I often wondered: have these phrases truly drawn us closer, or have they left us feeling even more disconnected, especially in this day and age of 24/7 social media that is supposed to keep us “more connected”?
As a pastor for the last 15 years, I’ve found myself longing for something deeper — something authentic, genuine, and lasting when it comes to cultivating true connection with others. Slogans can sound nice, but what if there’s something more?
What if we could experience a community that doesn’t just keep us busy with activities, but actually heals the heart, renews the mind, and creates real connection that leads to healthier, thriving lives?
My Story: Searching for Connection
Growing up with a single mother, I was taught that independence was the safest and strongest way to live. But when I reached high school, that independence left me struggling to find my place. I didn’t know the value I had to offer in relationships, and underneath it all, I wrestled with my identity.
When I became a Christian in my twenties, I dove into church life. My first church was welcoming at the start, but soon I began noticing gossip and drama that didn’t sit well with me. When I brought my concerns to the pastor’s wife, I was brushed off and told to find another church. Hurt and disappointed, I left.
Instead of immediately finding a new church, I poured myself into college and studied psychology. I wanted to understand people — why relationships can be so hard and how to communicate honestly. At the same time, I attempted to find friends and community outside the church, but that path often led to parties, alcohol, and left me with little peace or soundness of mind. What I didn’t expect was how much my classes would also turn a mirror back on me. I realized just how much healing I needed in my own life.
Later, I tried again to connect through church. I joined a Bible study and eventually co-led it. For a while, it felt promising, but unhealthy dynamics crept in — jealousy, exclusion, and gossip that no one would acknowledge. Again, I experienced dysfunction in the church. This pattern repeated at other churches, and there were situations that were, unfortunately, more serious. I began to wonder: Would I ever find a safe, healthy spiritual family?
A Different Kind of Church
In 2006, a friend invited me to visit a Vineyard Church. I was hesitant, carrying so much past hurt, but from the moment I walked in, I knew something was different. The atmosphere was alive with God’s presence, and I felt truly welcomed. Over time, my defenses faded, and I discovered:
The power of belonging and trust within a safe community.
The healing love of God, expressed both spiritually and through people.
My own spiritual gifts — and the joy of being empowered to use them.
Maybe you’ve experienced “church hurt” too, or maybe you’ve never known what a healthy community could look like. Perhaps you’re longing for a place where you can be truly seen and heard, where you can safely share your story.
The Power of Sharing Life Together
In 2011, I was introduced to inner healing prayer and discovered how deeply God heals through prayer and community. Through that journey, I found my spiritual family — people who spoke truth into my life and stood with me as I grew. After five years at Vineyard, I was asked to lead the Sozo Inner Healing Prayer Ministry. For the first time, I felt rooted, safe, and fully alive in community.
Then in 2020, I met my dear friend, Emma Rose Klinger. She joined a small group I was leading, and over the next four years, that group grew into a family of about 20 people. We did more than just meet — we lived life side by side. We healed, cried, and laughed together. We celebrated every birthday, the holidays, every milestone, and every win. We prayed and stayed together when hardships came, rallying around those who faced health crises, family troubles, and deep loss. For many without close relatives nearby, this group became like a family they always longed for.
That’s what small groups are meant to be: safe spaces where we learn how to do life together, through the mountaintops and the valleys.
A New Collaborative Model for Healing
In 2023, Emma Rose and I partnered to launch a unique group trauma healing model — blending the wisdom of trained therapists with the insight of spiritually grounded pastoral counselors and spiritual directors. The results were extremely promising, and for some, life-saving.
Highlights participants experienced:
A noticeable decrease in complex trauma symptoms, depression, anger, and attachment anxiety
Decreased spiritual struggles and a stronger relationship with God
Practical tools for cultivating a healthy mind and soul
Deeper, lasting connection with others
The courage to trust again
(You can check out the Research tab to learn more about the details of the initial study, and you can see how to join the next cohort of college group therapy study here!)
Given the growing success of our clinically supervised group therapy, we wanted to bring this collaborative model of those trained in mental health, alongside those equipped for spiritual direction, to support healing while strengthening the capacity and resilience of the general Church population, not just those dealing with posttraumatic stress symptoms.
An Invitation to Join the Journey |
Free
ICU Workshop Series
Starting September 10th
Hence, we’ve developed and are now offering, ICU (I See You): Integrated Healing through Being Seen & Sharing Your Story, a 10-week free workshop series in Southern California starting September 10th to help anyone step into deeper healing and authentic community.
At Integrate You, our mission is to cultivate spaces of healing and belonging. In this workshop, we join Dr. Brent McIntosh, of The Vineyard Church Laguna Niguel and PresenceU, to provide you with a spiritually grounded experience, weaving together inner healing prayer, group spiritual direction, and practical tools for emotional and relational integration.
Each week includes:
Encountering the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in body, soul, and spirit
Growing in emotional regulation and relational safety
Learning how trauma impacts the nervous system, relationships, and spiritual life
Practicing skills like attunement, forgiveness, proactive peace, and presence
Building awareness and insight into your story
Sharing your story safely in community
I believe with all my heart that God created us for community. Healing happens most powerfully when we walk together, not in isolation. As I like to say, “You get hurt in community, which is why you need to get healed in community.”
This has become my passion: creating communities where people can be restored, transformed, and set free to live fully. My prayer is that you’ll join us — finding your place, experiencing transformation, and discovering that authentic community really does exist.
Come journey with Integrate You with… and step into more wholeness, freedom, and connection.
