We connect with each other in CONNECTGroups
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True growth is not just about Sunday morni+ngs. We believe that real growth happens when you are involved in community, not just sitting in a worship service.
To grow spiritually, you need to be connected relationally. A great way to do this is through a Church On The Trail CONNECTGroup. They are your key to developing healthy relationships with those who share your interests, or people who are dealing with similar life issues.
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CONNECTGroups are an opportunity to reach out to others, while growing in your walk with God.
CONNECTGroups meet in homes, businesses, restaurants, or other locations throughout our area. These groups change and begin at different times during the year, so you have the opportunity to explore different groups, or join groups at any time.
You'll never fully experience Church On The Trail until you lock arms and connect with others in the Body of Christ!
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Scroll down to explore the current CONNECTGroups and sign up for one (or more!) at the bottom of the page.
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MONDAYS
Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible
Topic / Audience: Women / Book-Bible Study
Description: A spiteful boss, a defiant employee, a manipulative mother, a desperate housewife, an envious sister…honey, we know these women. We’ve lived with them, worked with them, or caught a glimpse of them in our mirrors.
Now let’s take a look at their ancient counterparts in Scripture: Sarah mistreated her maidservant, Hagar despised her mistress, Rebekah manipulated her son, Leah claimed her sister’s husband, and Rachel envied her fertile sister.
They were far from evil, but hardly perfect. Mostly good, yet slightly bad. In other words, these matriarchal mamas look a lot like us.
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Time: Mondays (begins 6/9/25) at 5:30 PM
Childcare: TBD-based on need
Requirements: Book-Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs
Leader: Merian Maxwell
Email: merianmaxwell.mm@gmail.com
Tel. #: 706-505-3174
Location: Merian's house-address will be emailed to you when you register
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M2540
Topic / Audience: Outreach
Description: We are called to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of the homeless and at-risk community, and we meet them right where they are in Columbus! Our ultimate vision is to grow the kingdom by dramatically reducing the number of chronically homeless in our area.
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Time: Mondays at 6:00 PM
Childcare: No
Requirements: None
Leader: Leonard Orenstein
Email: M2540@churchonthetrail.org
Tel. #: 678-756-7872
Location: 3406 6th Avenue, Columbus, GA 31904​​​
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TUESDAYS
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Christ and Coffee
Topic / Audience: Women’s / Bible Study
Description: Christ and Coffee is a women’s Bible study that strives to transform our hearts and minds to be more like Christ and to be witnesses to those around us. “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgements, and His paths beyond tracing out!" Romans 11:33 NIV
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Time: Tuesdays from 2:30-4:30pm
Childcare: No
Leader: Joann Freeman
Email: JVFreeman@yahoo.com
Location: 6200 Macon Road (Church On The Trail)
Requirements: Bible​​​​
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Essentials: The stuff you can't afford to miss​
Audience: Men & Women / Bible Study
Description: Essentials is for anyone who wants to grasp or re-engage the core truths of the Christian faith. Whether you've just recently been saved, been walking with Jesus for 30 years, or you're simply curious & searching for truth, this group is for you. We will walk through the essential beliefs every Christian ought to know.
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Time: Every Tuesday from 7/8/25-8/12/25 from 7:00-8:15pm
Childcare: No
Leader: Jay Bishop
Email: jay@churchonthetrail.org
Tel. # 631-310-7964
Location: 6200 Macon Road (Church On The Trail)
Requirements: Bible
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How to Study the Bible
Audience: Men & Women / Bible Study
Description: Have you ever wondered if we have the right words? the right books? How accurate is the Bible? What does “The Bible is inspired” mean? How did Jesus and the Apostles interpret the Scriptures? How did the early Church interpret the Scriptures? What is the correct way of interpreting the Bible?
Well, there is a right way and a wrong way to dig into the Bible and we want to answer these questions and more.
Time: Tuesday 8/19 from 7:00-9:00pm
Childcare: No
Leader: Ed Grifenhagen
Email: ed@churchonthetrail.org
Tel. # 706-681-2732
Location: 6200 Macon Road (Church On The Trail)
Requirements: Bible
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Route 66
Audience: Men & Women / Bible Study
Description: Take a trip with us on Route 66 and cruise through a survey of all 66 books of the Bible. You'll get the highlights of everything from Genesis to Revelation. No driver's license needed. You'll just need a Bible and the provided notebook.
Time: Every Tuesday from 8/26/25-10/14/25 from 7:00-8:15pm
Childcare: No
Leader: Steve Park
Email: epochpark@yahoo.com
Tel. # 786-856-1238
Location: 6200 Macon Road (Church On The Trail)
Requirements: Bible
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WEDNESDAYS
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Isaiah
Topic / Audience: Everyone
Description: Join us for a verse-by-verse deep dive into the prophecy of Isaiah.
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Time: Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30am
Childcare: No
Leader: Ed Grifenhagen
Email: Ed@churchonthetrail.org
Tel. #: 706-681-2732
Location: 6200 Macon Road (Church On The Trail)
Requirements: Bring your Bible
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Our Journey of Hope
Topic / Audience: Everyone
Description: A Connect Group that will equip and commission you for a Biblically-based cancer care ministry
open to anyone who is ready to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.
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Time: Beginning on Wednesday, May 14th (8-week session) at 6:30pm
Childcare: No
Leader: Anne Webb
Email: adwebb@greenwoodland.com
Tel. #: 706-575-4178
Location: 6200 Macon Road (Church On The Trail)
Requirements: None
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THURSDAYS
EIGHTEEN-HUNDRED
Topic / Audience: Men
Description:
EIGHTEEN-HUNDRED is a men's gathering for R.E.A.L. men that Reject passivity, Engage with God, Accept
responsibility and Lead courageously!​
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Time: 6:00-7:00pm
Childcare: No
Leader: Lonnie Freeman
Email: onHimrely@pm.me
Location: 6200 Macon Road (Church On The Trail)
Requirements: Motivated & dedicated to being a R.E.A.L. man!
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Young Married Couples
Topic / Audience: Bible Study / Family / Marriage
Description: Young married couples coming together to grow in their relationship with the Lord and each other by doing Life Together.
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Time: Thursdays from 6:00-7:30 PM (1st and 3rd Thursdays)
Childcare: No
Leaders: Billy & Erin Vivian
Email: Bvivian7@gmail.com or Ejacq932@gmail.com
Tel. #: 443-438-0928 or 757-620-9423
Location: 7947 Glen Valley Drive, Midland
Requirements: None
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Ephesians
Topic / Audience: Bible Study / Everyone
Description: Ephesians is Paul swinging for the fences. He starts off by reminding us that we’ve already got every spiritual blessing in Christ—no striving, no earning, just grace on grace. The Gospel’s not just personal; it’s cosmic—God’s pulling everything together under Jesus, and somehow, we get to be part of that plan. Paul drops truth bombs about identity, unity, and the mystery of Jews and Gentiles being one family now. Then he shifts gears: now that you know who you are, act like it—walk in love, live clean, fight smart, and gear up with the armor of God because this ain’t peacetime.
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Time: (begins 6/12/25) 7:00pm -8:15pm
Childcare: No
Leaders: Ed Grifenhagen & Tom Woodward
Tel. #: 706-681-2732 or 727-642-8574
Email: Ed@churchonthetrail.org or Twoodward@trinitycollege.edu
Location: 6200 Macon Road (Church On The Trail – Mission Coffee House)
Requirements: Bible​
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FRIDAYS
ZERO-SIX-THIRTY
Topic / Audience: Men / Bible Study
Description: ZERO-SIX-THIRTY is men talking about man stuff and doing man stuff! We are walking through the Bible learning and applying what God defines as our duty scope and responsibilities as men. We encourage and are accountable to each other to be R.E.A.L. men, Rejecting passivity, Engaging with God, Accepting responsibility and Leading courageously. Buckle up and let's get after it!
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Time: Fridays from 6:30am-7:40am
Childcare: No
Leader: Lonnie Freeman
Email: onHimrely@pm.me
Location: 6200 Macon Road (Church On The Trail)
Requirements: Motivated and dedicated to being a R.E.A.L. man!
Joyful Hearts
Topic / Audience: Outreach / Missions
Description: Joyful Hearts provides a devotion, fellowship, and communion to residents of Oaks At Grove Park, an assisted living and memory care community. Our mission is to remind the attendees they are loved, and that God is always with them. We hope to bring those that don’t know Christ into a saving relationship with him.
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NOTE: Since we are invited by the facility, the Fridays will vary.
Time: Twice a month on Friday from 2:30-3:30pm
Leader : Joann Freeman
Email: jvfreeman@yahoo.com
Location: 1479 Grove Park Dr, Columbus GA 31904 (The Oaks at Grove Park)
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Rolling Angels BUNCO
Topic / Audience: Women Only / BUNCO / Fellowship / Recreation / Prayer
Description: All women are welcome! You don’t need to know how to play BUNCO. We share food, laughter and good times. We meet the 3rd Friday of each month at Church on the Trail.
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Time: 3rd Friday of each Month at 7:00 pm
Childcare: No
Leader: Patty Freeman
Email: freemanpa72@gmail.com
Tel. #: 706-662-7741
Location: 6200 Macon Road (Church On The Trail – Mission Coffee House)
Requirements: None​
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SATURDAYS​​
Crafters Connect
Topic / Audience: Fellowship / Women
Description: Join us every second Saturday of each month to create a fun craft project. We post the craft we are doing and let you know the cost of the supplies, which we provide. Ladies, enjoy a relaxing and fun time crafting with other ladies while building lasting friendships with each other. You do not have to be a crafty lady; we will teach you how to do the project and help you as needed.
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Time: 10:00-12:00 pm
Childcare: No
Leaders: Heather Orenstein and Jessica Domenget
Email: Orenstein.heather@gmail.com or Onehousewife20@yahoo.com
Tel. #: 678-863-0494
Location: 6200 Macon Road (Church On The Trail)
Requirements: Small fee per craft ($5 to $10)
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SUNDAYS
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Trailblazers Sunday Men’s Gathering
Topic / Audience: Bible Study / Men
Description: Why not? As brothers in Christ, together let’s find, strengthen, and sharpen our own uniquely individual, God-given strides. If you feel isolated, hung up in sin, or you recognize a complacency in your life… another man in our church family feels the same way. Why not make a change? If you have been through any amount of life, bearing some scars or having made some mistakes, but you know victory through Jesus Christ… another man in our church family needs your counsel. Why not pour into another? Pursue God alongside other men, as we examine what Biblical masculinity looks like, and other topics, in a variety of ways. Let’s see what God can do when a group of men gather, committed to making an impact for His kingdom. We will periodically read through a book, walk through a study, or dive into the Bible. Don’t do the journey of Authentic Manhood alone. Let’s face the battle together!
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Time: Sundays from 8:30am – 9:20am
Childcare: No
Leaders: Leonard Orenstein & Jake McClung
Tel. #: 678-756-7872
Email: Trailblazers@churchonthetrail.org
Location: 6200 Macon Road (Church On The Trail – Conference Room)
Requirements: Bible or current book
Table Talk Supper Club
Topic / Audience: Sunday Message Discussion / Everyone / Fellowship
Description: Join us the 2nd Sunday of each month to share a meal and fellowship together. We use the Table Talk from the sermon that day to guide our discussion or whatever is placed on our hearts to discuss. Adults only including couples and singles. Best way to grow our relationship with each other is to gather together in Christ.
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Meeting Days: 2nd Sunday of the month (subject to change)
Meeting Time: 5pm - 7pm
Childcare: No
Leaders: Patty Freeman & Nancy Brim
Tel. #: 706-662-7741 or 706-566-2912
Email: freemanpa72@gmail.com or nbrim48@gmail.com
Location: Nancy Brim’s House (4779 Champions Way, Columbus)
Requirements: Bring a dish or dessert to share! Meals are planned and a sign-up form is sent out for you to bring a dish.​
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4:12 Student Ministry
Topic / Audience: Students
Description: Our 4:12 Student Ministry is a place where students build deep friendships, experience God and share their faith with others through fellowship and mission.. 4:12 is a gathering of 6th – 12th grade students. We discuss topics that are relevant, fun and most important – stuff that matters to the students, like friends, parents and school. 4:12 is a place to develop, grow and strengthen a relationship with God, hear relatable messages, play games, grow relationships with peers and learn from caring adults. We have several activities planned throughout the semester, to include a service project each month.
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Time: 11:15 AM + 1 Saturday per month
Email: Students@churchonthetrail.org
Tel. #: 706-615-8930
Location: 6200 Macon Road (Church On The Trail)
Requirements: None
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Mommy Matters
Audience - Moms & kids
Description: Play Dates and Field Trips. Meeting days vary but once a week over the summer. Usually in the morning. Places vary depending on the play date. Moms can get together with their children of all ages to play and have fellowship together!
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Leader: Merian Maxwell
Email: merianmaxwell.mm@gmail.com
Tel. #: 706-505-3174
Monthly
COTT Men
Topic / Audience: Men
Description: Ongoing Group focused on building relationship through monthly community service projects and recreational events.
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Meeting: Monthly
Time: TBD
Childcare: No
Leader: Jay Bishop
Email: Jay@churchonthetrail.org
Tel. #: 631-310-7964
Location: TBD
Requirements: None
The Grove Women of COTT
Topic / Audience: Women
Description: The Grove is an invitation for all women to gather monthly as we worship, learn, and celebrate the greatness of Jesus together. Come and grow with us as you find breathing room for your soul and experience a God-inspired message just for you!
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Meeting: Monthly
Time: TBD
Childcare: No
Leader: Anne Webb
Email: Anne@greenwoodland.com
Tel. #: 706-575-4178
Location: TBD
Requirements: None
First Responder Mission Team
Topic / Audience: Outreach
Description: Ongoing Outreach to and support of our First Responders – Police, Fire and EMT.
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Meeting: Monthly
Time: TBD
Childcare: No
Leader: Don Webb
Email: Don@greenwoodland.com
Tel. #: 706-577-9922
Location: TBD
Requirements: None
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