City Groups are missional communities that multiply disciples of Jesus. Members of City Groups live out biblical fellowship as a family and intentionally pursue the mission of God. City Groups declare the gospel to specific neighborhoods and networks in our city including college campuses. Sophia Baedke is a student at Creighton University. Sophia joined a Salt Company (Citylight's college ministry) City Group last year. Through a faithful leader, a loving community and the truth of Jesus Christ, her life has been changed.
“I was impacted by my City Group last year in the most positive way” Sophia shared. “My City Group leader took me under her wing. I came into Salt Company not knowing anyone and she made me feel known. When I shared my testimony with her, I never felt judged once. She empowered me not only with my faith but also with my leadership. She translated my leadership in the world to how I can use my leadership in the church. Through that, I was empowered to take the next step and be a City Group leader this year!”
The Salt Company has had to be creative with reaching students on Creighton’s campus. Being a non-denominational ministry, they’ve had to move around some roadblocks. Salt Company students have been pivotal with reaching other students on Creighton’s campus. Sophia said it has been fun and challenging.
“Surprisingly enough, we had 45 girls come to our first City Group last August.” Sophia described. “It was encouraging to see their want and thirst for the Gospel. Many times, it’s because of loneliness and partying ... things that are not fulfilling anymore. They know that and recognize that. There are a lot of freshmen in our group. It’s cool to see how quickly they found the world doesn’t supply that fulfillment they want.”
Fostering a community that doesn’t judge, welcomes all, and fills people up with the truth of the gospel and the love of Jesus has been fun for Sophia. She, and others in Salt Company, has helped raise up leaders and potential ones. Her heartfelt desire is to help grow a bigger presence on Creighton’s campus and beyond.
“I want to bring people to Citylight Church,” Sophia described with enthusiasm. “And I want students to get into a City Group. Our City Group meets on a weekly basis in one of our leader’s homes and we open up the Bible, pray together, and learn about Jesus. We read scripture and we talk about life. Together, we see how scripture applies to our life and how we can fill the gaps. We ask questions and we give answers. We want to fill those girls with the truth of the gospel.”
Within Sophia’s City Group, there are also huddles led by a leader and who meet on a weekly basis. A huddle group is a smaller group of 2-3 women who might meet for coffee or lunch and talk on a deeper level about their life.
“As City Group leaders we want to be there for the girls throughout the week,” Sophia stated with sincerity. “All of our leaders have huddle groups. We have about 20-30 girls coming to City Group each week so it’s hard to make those personal connections in that large group setting. In huddles, it’s meeting to talk more about their lives and get to know them on a more personal level. We can speak truth into them. It’s been a fun experience to do City Group on Tuesdays, Salt Company on Thursdays, coming to Citylight Church and in those huddle groups!”
Currently, Sophia is celebrating the fact that all the girls in her City Group are going on mission this summer. Seeing the girls, especially the freshman, learn and grow in God’s Word has been wonderful to watch. To see them now taking God’s Word out to others has been a blessing and an encouragement for Sophia.
“It’s been absolutely incredible!” Sophia said with so much joy. “It’s important to go because everyone needs to know the truth of the gospel. It’s a blessing in our lives so we want to share that truth. It’s a blessing and gift that the Lord has given to us. It would be doing a disservice to this world if we didn’t share his word.”
Sophia has grown in her faith and in her life by Jesus. A City Group leader had also a big part in that. When asked “If your City Group leader was right in front of you, what would you say” Sophia without hesitation gave an answer.
“I am leading right beside her right now with our City Group,” Sophia said with joy. “The leader who built me up last year is leading alongside me this year. And, it’s just been absolutely incredible to be continually fulfilled and led by her while pouring into other girls. I’m so grateful to Grace. I love her to death, and I wouldn’t be here without her.”
If you are a regular attender at Citylight, may this be your invitation to get into a City Group. It is a much needed spiritual family and one who can walk through life with you. If you are a part of Salt Company, join one of the many City Groups and huddles offered to you both on and off campus. Sophia was changed by it for the better because of one.
“Jesus flipped my life upside down,” Sophia concluded. “I was searching for fulfillment in places that could never be truly found. He made me content in him. He gave me joy that cannot be explained. He gave me the community around me that supports, uplifts and I can see him through each of them every single day. He has completely saved my life.”
For more information on Salt Company and their City Groups, go to @saltomaha on Instagram. DM that page and they will send a schedule and a master list of all their City Groups. Sophia would describe it as “Literally there’s a group meeting every day of the week, any time, and any place.” For all ways to get connected to Salt Company, visit citylightomaha.org/saltco.
Great story! Thank you for sharing!