Abundant Life
Contact: Scot Gardner or Buddy Jones; Lead Shepherding Elder: Buzz Fly. Meets below the Sanctuary in D113/115.
Each week we pray for one another and Buddy Jones leads us in study and discussion of God’s Word. Several times during the year we get together for special fellowships and events, such as getting to know a missionary. Our normal pattern for Bible study is to take one book at a time, alternating between the Old and New Testaments.
Bountiful Blessings
9:30–10:30 a.m.; Meets on the 1st floor of the A-Building (West Side of Church) in A121/122; Zoom available. Contacts: Terry Tippett , Stuart Taylor | Lead Shepherding Elders: Larry Fitzgerald, Mickey Bowdon.
We seek those of all ages or marital status who rejoice in the bountiful blessings of fellowship and Biblical instruction from a variety of teachers for the purpose of growing in our intimacy with Christ. As a result of the bountiful blessings of knowing Christ and being known by Him we strive to serve our church, our communities, and each other.
Cornerstone
Contact: Lynn Wheeler; Lead Shepherding Elder: Lyn McWhorter; Meets at 9:15 a.m. below the Sanctuary in D103/105; Zoom available.
We’re made up of couples and singles who enjoy praying for one another, encouraging one another, and hearing God’s Word taught. Because we’ve seen God do remarkable things over many years, we spend the beginning half of class time sharing and praying for specific requests.
Covenant Community
Contact: Sam Wilcox (Sarah Caitlin) and Noah Hall (Felicity); Lead Shepherding Elder: Pat Person; Meets upstairs in the A-Building in Room A221. Our class is home to a community of relative peers in their 20s and 30s made up of singles and married couples who seek to build relationships in faith. We rotate teachers and topics while following a structure of biblical instruction, application-focused discussion, and prayer. We prioritize scripture in our studies and cover topics that are welcoming to all depths of spiritual knowledge. We gather regularly outside of class for fun and fellowship with one another and other classes.
Cross-Generations
Contact and Lead Shepherding Elder: Hickman Ewing; Meets on the Second Floor of the E-Building (West Side of Church) in E234. We are a cross-generational class made up of couples and singles who desire to go deeper in God’s Word. Our format is to sit in table groups, encouraging and praying for one another. We seek to apply Biblical truth to our lives and pass it on to others. We also often hear missionary reports and testimonies of what God is doing in and through us in the city of Memphis and the world.
Focus
Contact and Lead Shepherding Elder: Tim Holler; Meets on the Second Floor of the A-Building (West side of Church) in Room A222. Focus is a class of young adults who want to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). We come together to share what God is doing in our lives and in the world, to learn from the study of His Word and to pray for each other. We seek to provide strength, encouragement, and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3). We also enjoy fellowship times outside of class.
Foundations
Contact and Lead Shepherding Elder: Bob Fratesi; Meets on the First Floor of the E-Building (West side of Church) in Room E143; Zoom available. Challenging families and individuals alike to drink deeply of God’s word in order to experience greater intimacy with Him. Rad Andrews (father of 8 and long-time surgeon) is our primary teacher. We strive to offer numerous opportunities for strengthening Christian faith and friendships through activities such as small group dinners, retreats, and casual gatherings.
Genesis
Contact: Christopher and Damaris Marino; Meets on the First Floor of the A-Building (West side of the Church) in Room A106. We are a class of young families building relationships through a combination of solid Bible teaching, group discussion, and prayer, to help class members understand both what the Bible says AND how to apply it in everyday life. The structure of the class is intended to make Genesis a very accessible class for newcomers and long-time First Evaners. Whether you are new to the whole idea of church involvement or a seasoned church veteran, you will find Genesis a warm and inviting place to get involved.
Heritage Builders
Contact: Hal Stanley | Lead Shepherding Elder: John Touliatos; Meets on the Second Floor of the A-Building (West side of Church) in Room A202. Our purpose is to build a heritage of faithful marriages, wise parenting, and wholehearted devotion to Jesus Christ. We enjoy an annual family picnic and Christmas party, and we participate together in various service projects and mission trips throughout the year.
Joint Heirs
Contact: Jim Newman or Grady Sanborn | Lead Shepherding Elder: Jim Newman; Meets on the First Floor of the E-Building Near the Gym (West side of Church) in Room E125/126.; Zoom available. We are a class of single and marrieds of all age ranges. We desire to know and be known by one another as we grow in the Lord. We sit at assigned tables each Sunday, alternating table group members yearly. Our table groups minister to one another provide fellowship, prayer, and accountability, and also support to our missionaries. Our teachers and subjects change, but the pattern is the same: a teaching time followed by table group discussion to help us apply what we’ve learned. Our visitors’ table provides a welcome place to see what we’re all about.
Journeys
Contact and Lead Shepherding Elder: Joel Scoggins; Meets on the Second Floor of the A-Building (West side of Church) in Room A210. A community of peers (primarily 40’s and 50’s) who are intentional in building authentic friendships as we JOURNEY through life and scripture together. We engage the Bible weekly through group discussion led by different class members. Bible study is complimented by occasional worship in song and regular prayer for one another. We strive to care for each other through the challenges of marriage, raising children, and simply walking closer with Christ. We have regular gatherings outside of class to help us build stronger relationships with one another.
Life Builders
Contact: Preston Klinke or Tom Maschmeyer | Lead Shepherding Elder: Tom Maschmeyer; Meets on the First Floor of the A-Building (West side of Church) in Room A124. We try to balance the teaching and application of the Word with a focused commitment to prayer, fellowship, and the development of community. We offer periodic fellowships. We serve the wider community principally through Streets Ministry and Christ’s Community Church, and we are very involved with a number of missionaries, many of whom regard Life Builders as home.
Pilgrim’s Progress
Contact: David McGill; Lead Shepherding Elder: Kevin Weaver; Meets on the First Floor of the A-Building (West side of Church) in Room A109. Come join us as we walk the path of life while we are sharing our successes and failures, and studying God's Word in order to more effectively engage in gospel conversations with the lost in our culture.
Salt and Light
Contact and Lead Shepherding Elder: Ken Eriksen; Meets on the First Floor of the A-Building (West side of Church) in Room A111. We are real, relevant, and revering. Real people with a diversity of ages, nationalities, and missions making an impact. Relevant teaching and living carried out through small groups, fellowships, and various ministries within and outside our church. We strive to revere Jesus Christ through the study of God’s Word.
Sojourners
Contact: Rick Hannah | Lead Shepherding Elder: Jimmy Garrison; Meets Below the Sanctuary (East side of Church) in Room D120. Couples and singles gather in small groups around tables each Sunday where time is spent in fellowship and prayer. We rotate teachers with a focus on Biblically-based studies and also emphasize accountability and service to our church—such as serving at the Wednesday night dinners, teaching children, and supporting missions. Besides Sunday mornings, we regularly get together for fellowship and enjoy socials like our Sweetheart Banquet every Valentine’s Day.
Under Construction
Contact: Daniel Newman; Lead Shepherding Elder: Lynn Ballinger; 9:30–10:30 a.m.; Meets on the 1st floor of the Recreation Building in Room E135 (Spurgeon Room). For those from nearly or newly married to those with children in elementary school. The class combines solid Bible teaching with group discussion and prayer to help class members understand both what the Bible says AND how to apply it in everyday life. Small group fellowships and mentoring relationships are a major part of the class objective. The structure of the class is intended to make Under Construction a very accessible class for newcomers and long-time First Evaners.