Experience the Journey is your road map for spiritual growth. The journey includes five areas of spiritual formation essential for real life change and intimacy with Christ. Experience the Journey is not meant to be completed in specific time frame but should be viewed as a compass that points your life in specific directions. Experience the Journey utilizes weekend opportunities along with 8 to 10 week experiences. Each experience has been developed to help participants explore one of the five LIFE areas with the intent that persons will travel further in their faith development.

ALPHA

A 10-week journey for seeking people, new Christians and those wanting a refresher on the basics of Christianity and the person of Jesus Christ. Each Alpha session begins with a delicious meal and is followed by a large group video presentation and small group discussion time. Meals and childcare are provided at no cost to participants. Topics explored are:

MAKE THE CONNECTION

This is Ashland First's membership class. You'll discover our purpose, core values, beliefs (doctrine), and membership expectations. Make the Connection is held in a variety of venues lasting a total of six hours. After completing the course, participants can then decide if membership is the right next step for them.

GROWING STRONG IN GOD'S FAMILY

This 10-week journey introduces people to essential skills and habits of a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Growing Strong is a great follow up to Alpha. Participants share discussions and hands-on experiences with Bible reading and responding, prayer, scripture memorization, developing a devotional life, faith sharing, balancing our life in Christ, and more.

THE WALK TO EMMAUS

This 72-hour spiritual retreat takes place at Inspiration Hills Camp near West Salem Ohio (30 minutes from Ashland). You will enjoy three busy days of singing, praying, worshiping, and small group discussions. These discussions center around fifteen talks given by laity and pastors. These talks present the theme of God's grace, and how that grace comes alive in your life. Add to all of the above, laughter, joyous surprises, new friendships, lots of great food, experiences of God's profound love, and you have The Walk to Emmaus. To participate in the Walk you must have an Emmaus Sponsor.

BECOMING A CONTAGIOUS CHRISTIAN

The Christian life is to be shared. BCC participants learn how to effectively communicate their faith in Jesus Christ in a manner that fits their particular personality. This course is offered periodically in a variety of formats including Sunday mornings, weekends, and evenings. Click here for schedule information.

FIRST SERVE

This opportunity is part of our new members course. Through a relaxed, informal interview participants are encouraged to talk about what they like to do and what they are good at. Potential areas of service/ministry that connect with a person's likes, competencies, and experiences are explored. Participants are then connected with leaders/coordinators of potential ministry areas where they can try a ministry on and see if it fits.

NETWORK

This experience exposes participants to a much deeper understanding of God's call to servanthood. God has uniquely created each person with passions, talents, and spiritual gifts. In this eight-session course, participants gain an understanding of their particular servant profile. Following completion of Network, participants take part in an extensive interview that helps them put together their profile with particular areas of fruitful and joyous service.

GOOD SENSE

This financial management course teaches biblical financial principles, budget basics, and insights to help assist participants toward financial stability, debt-free living, and God-honoring money management habits and practices.

SMALL GROUPS

A core value of Ashland First states that, "We value life change through small groups." This value is rooted in the premise that life is no one is an island. Personal, relational, and spiritual balance is best developed and maintained when we are grounded in a community of people who know us, encourage us, challenge us, pray for us, play with us, and grow with us in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Small groups meet on Sunday mornings and in other venues.