Encounter Life Group - San Jose, CA

05/29/2026

Dear Encounter Life Group Family,

I pray that your week is going well! This is a reminder that we will continue to meet this week. This Friday is not just another gathering—it’s an opportunity to encounter God together, be refreshed in His presence, and grow deeper in our faith as one family in Christ. We would love for you to join us on Friday, May 29, from 6:30–8:30 PM at 1470 McKinley Ave, San Jose, CA 95126.

This week’s discussion is from Purple Book Chapter 9 Lesson 3: Faith and Obedience. This topic reminds us that genuine faith is not only believing God’s promises but also walking in obedience to His Word. As we study together, we will learn how obedience strengthens our relationship with God, builds spiritual maturity, and allows us to experience His purpose more fully in our lives.

Updates & Announcements:

1. Summer Fellowship Schedule
During the summer months, we will meet once a month to give everyone time to rest, travel, and enjoy family time. We will continue to meet at the same time and place. Please take note of our upcoming fellowship dates and topics:

• Friday, June 19 – Purple Book Chapter 9 Lessons 4 & 5: Mountain-Moving Faith and Faith & Hope
• Friday, July 24 – Purple Book Chapter 10: Biblical Prosperity & Generosity
(Please study the entire chapter as we will discuss it together during fellowship night.)

2. Church Planting Fund Campaign
Our Church Planting Fund Campaign continues as we prayerfully believe God to raise $75K over the next 6 months to expand His work, reach more lives, and plant a Christ-centered community. Every prayer, gift, and act of support matters. Please review the “How to Give” document and help share this opportunity with others who may want to partner in God’s mission.

3. Equipping Group
Our Equipping Group begins Monday evenings starting June 6 for six sessions focused on discipleship and leadership growth.

Bring a friend, come expectant, and let’s pursue God together!

Blessings,
Richel from Encounter Life Group

05/12/2026

Don’t miss our fellowship gathering this Friday, May 15,
from 6:30–8:30 PM at 1470 McKinley Ave, San Jose, CA 95126.

This week, we’ll dive into Chapter 8, Lesson 5: Worship — discovering what it truly means to worship God in spirit and in truth. Come expectant to grow deeper in your faith, be encouraged, and encounter God together in a powerful way.

God has something prepared for you.
Invite a friend and join us! 🙏

04/29/2026

Hello Encounter Life Group Family & Friends! 🙌

Last Friday was such a powerful time of fellowship as we celebrated all that God has done over the past four months—20 salvations and 4 water baptisms! We also shared in communion, remembering what Jesus has done for us and for all humanity. It was so encouraging to hear the God-given vision “to build His Church”—and the excitement in the room was undeniable!

Encounter Life Group exists to help people encounter God personally, grow in an authentic community, and live on mission. Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ by sharing the Gospel, baptizing believers, teaching obedience to God’s Word, and equipping people to faithfully serve and advance His Kingdom in every community.

Exciting Opportunities

Water Baptism: We already have 3 people signed up—and we can’t wait to celebrate with them (and YOU)! If you feel led by the Holy Spirit, join us for baptism on Friday, May 8 at 6:30 PM: https://forms.gle/6CejHHZpmMFx9Pa28

Church Planting Campaign

We are launching a campaign to raise $75,000 over the next six months to plant a church. This is an incredible opportunity to be part of something eternal—reaching souls, making disciples, and raising leaders for God’s Kingdom.
If you’d like to contribute to this Kingdom-building opportunity, please email: 📩 [email protected] for the next step.

📅 Reminder for This Friday
We’re gathering again this Friday, May 1st, and it won’t be just another Friday—it’s a day the Lord has made, and we will rejoice together!

Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: 1470 McKinley Ave, San Jose, CA 95126

We’ll be diving into The Purple Book – Chapter 8:

Lesson 1: Personal Prayer
Lesson 2: The Power of Prayer

Please read ahead and come ready to share what God has been revealing to you!

Following Jesus is more than a commitment—it’s transformation. And discipleship was never meant to be done alone. Let’s keep growing together, inviting others, and expanding what God is building among us.

Who are you bringing this Friday? A seat next to you could be the start of someone’s eternity.

Come expectant. Come as you are.
God is building His Church—and we are part of His plan.

Blessings,
Encounter Life Group

04/20/2026

Hello Encounter Life Group Family & Friends,

Last Friday’s fellowship was truly powerful—a beautiful reminder that God is moving in and through our community. Seeing hearts open, lives encouraged, and people gathering with one purpose—to know Christ and make Him known—was deeply inspiring. Moments like these remind us why belonging to a spiritual family matters so much.

We were never meant to walk this journey of faith alone. Being part of a spiritual family and a local church gives us strength, accountability, encouragement, and purpose. It is where we grow, where we are supported, and where we discover that we are part of something far greater than ourselves. God is not just building individuals. He is building His Church, and He is doing it through us.

This Year’s Vision & Goal
By December 2026, we are believing God to grow into a thriving church community—hosting regular Sunday celebration services and sustaining multiple active Life Groups, living fully in faith, community, and mission.

How will we do this?
We will build people deeply in Christ so we can multiply disciples, leaders, and groups for God’s mission—through one-on-one discipleship, Life Groups, leadership equipping, and mentoring.

Celebrating What God Has Done
What a journey it has already been! From just 9 people on December 9, 2025, to now averaging 35 weekly, with a high of 46 attendees. This is God’s work.

20 people have surrendered their lives to Christ
4 have taken the step of obedience through water baptism

This is a powerful testimony—and you are part of it. Your presence, your faith, your yes to God matters.

Exciting Opportunities

Water Baptism: April 24 at 6:30 PM
Join the Dream Team and serve
Be part of our faith journey as we step out to raise $75,000 to plant a church—an eternal investment in lives, discipleship, and leadership

Reminder for This Friday
We will continue to gather, believing the Holy Spirit has something specific for each of us.

Friday, April 24 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
1470 McKinley Ave, San Jose, CA 95126

We’ll be diving into The Purple Book – Chapter 7: Spiritual Family and Church Leadership
(Lessons 3-5)

Following Jesus is more than a commitment—it is a transformation. And discipleship was never meant to be a solo journey. Let’s continue to grow together, invite others, and expand what God is building in our midst.

Come expectant. Come ready.
God is building His Church—and we are part of His plan.

Blessings,
Encounter Life Group

04/05/2026

Hey Encounter Life Group Family!

We had such a fun time together at the park today! It was such a blessing to bond with one another through eating, playing, and most importantly—through Jesus.

Not only did we spend time getting to know each other, but we also took time to reflect on the why behind our gathering. We read and studied 1 Corinthians 11:23–28, coming together to remember and honor our beloved Jesus—who is pure, sinless, and perfect in all His ways—yet chose to die on the cross for our sins. He bore the weight of all humanity, though He did not deserve it, and because of Him, we have life.

In light of this, we paused to reflect: What does Jesus’ sacrifice mean to us? And how will we live knowing that He is coming again?

For those who couldn’t join us, we encourage you to take time to reflect on the passage and these questions. We have hope because Jesus not only died, but rose again! He is risen, and because He lives, we have salvation. Let’s prepare our hearts as we get ready to celebrate Easter—because Jesus is alive!

Love you, fam,
ELG Team

04/01/2026

03/27/2026

Hello Encounter Life Group (ELG) Family & Friends,

Last Friday, March 20, we talked about what it means to experience the favor of God through the words and works of Jesus. We looked at a powerful miracle in Acts 3:1-16—the story of a lame man who had never walked since birth. In a single encounter, Jesus healed him. That’s what Jesus still does today. We serve the same Jesus. He is still moving through the "gates" of our lives—our workplaces, our broken relationships, and our quiet despairs. May we be like Peter, bold enough to offer what we do have. And may we be like the healed man, unashamed to leap and praise God for the strength that only Christ provides. As the Holy Spirit moved, 2 brothers gave their lives to Christ. This is the reason why we exist as a body of Christ: So Others May Live.
This is a reminder that our journey continues this Friday, and we believe the Holy Spirit has something specific for us as we dive into Chapter 6 of The Purple Book. We’ll be discussing Lesson 5: Discipleship & Leadership.

When: Friday | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: 1470 McKinley Ave, San Jose, CA 95126

What’s Coming Up?

1. Our April 3 fellowship has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 4. We’ll be having a picnic starting at 2:00 PM at Lake Cunningham Regional Park. Feel free to bring a friend—we’d love to have them join us! Please also check the attached updated study schedule for your reference.

2. On April 10, there will be no fellowship night. Instead, we will be hosting a Vision Night for leaders and anyone who is currently serving or interested in serving at Encounter Life Group. If you feel called to serve with us, please sign up.

Our Mission
Discipleship was never meant to be a solo journey. As a response to the call to make disciples, bring a friend or neighbor with you. Let’s expand our circle and share the life-changing power of this community.

Come expectant. Come ready. See you there on Friday!

03/07/2026

We had a blessed fellowship last Friday (March 6) with 36 people gathering to worship God and study His Word together. It was a meaningful time as we talked about spiritual hunger and obedience—two essential marks of a growing faith. When we hunger for God and choose to obey His Word, our lives are transformed and our relationship with Him deepens.

We’re grateful for the community God is building and the lives being touched through discipleship and fellowship.

Join us every Friday night from 6:30–8:30 PM
📍 1470 McKinley Ave, San Jose, CA 95126

Everyone is welcome! Come experience God through community, worship, and the study of His Word. We would love to see you there.

03/05/2026

At the Encounter Life group, we are intentional in our response to God’s calling to “go and make disciples of all nations”. We exist to provide a safe, encouraging and loving community for people to come and encounter God in a personal way through fellowship and discipleship.

Last Friday (February 27), 35 people gathered for a meaningful evening of fellowship as we studied Chapter 5, Lessons 1–2 of The Purple Book. Together, we explored the authority, power, and life-changing benefits of God’s Word.

We were reminded that the Bible is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). When God speaks, His Word carries divine authority and always fulfills His purpose (Isaiah 55:11). Scripture is eternal, true, living, and active (Hebrews 4:12). It guides our path (Psalm 119:105), corrects and shapes our lives (2 Timothy 3:16–17), and brings comfort, wisdom, and direction.

We also reflected on Joshua 1:8, which encourages us to speak, meditate on, and live out God’s Word every day. When we do, it transforms our hearts and strengthens our walk with Him. To see the benefits, you must move from reading the Word to relying on the Word. Speak it over your family, stand on it during your trials, and trust it more than you trust your own feelings. As an application, this week, devote yourself to reading the Word of God (a verse or few verses) and reflect: Who is God (God’s character) in the passage? What must I obey (God’s Command)? What promise can I trust (God’s Promise)? What is my response (Next Step)?

You are warmly invited to join us!
Everyone is welcome—bring your friends and family and come experience fellowship, learning, and growing in God together.

Friday | 6:30–8:30 PM
📍 1470 McKinley Ave, San Jose, CA 95125

Come as you are, and let’s encounter God together.
We would love to see you there! 🙏

02/19/2026

Hi Encounter Fam!
This is a friendly reminder that there will be no fellowship this Friday (February 20, 2026). You are encouraged to continue studying your Purple Book, especially any lessons you have missed. We will gather again next Friday, February 27, to discuss Chapter 5, Lessons 1 and 2. As you study and meditate on his Word, may God reveal himself to you in a deeper way.
God bless you and your family 🤍