Discipleship Pathway
La Cruz Church
From the Table → To the Cross → To Transformation
De la Mesa → A la Cruz → A la Transformación
This pathway is not rigid or linear in a strict sense, but it provides a clear direction. Each step represents a deeper level of engagement, trust, and transformation. While individuals may move at different paces, the goal is that every person continues moving forward.
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The first step of the pathway is Come/Ven. This is the entry point into the life of the church and reflects our deep commitment to hospitality. At La Cruz Church, we believe that people often experience the love of God before they fully understand it. For that reason, we prioritize creating environments where individuals feel welcomed, seen, and valued.
This step is most clearly expressed through our Dinner Church gatherings, our Sunday worship services, and our outreach efforts like ESL and AA group. These spaces are intentionally designed to be accessible and relational, particularly for those who may feel hesitant about traditional church settings. In this stage, the emphasis is not on expectation but an invitation. People are not required to have everything figured out; they are simply invited to come.
The goal of this step is belonging. Before people grow in faith, they must experience that they have a place among us. Come is where that begins.
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The second step, Connect/Conecta, moves individuals from attending into relationship. While the first step creates an environment of welcome, this step creates an environment of belonging. We believe that transformation happens in community, not in isolation.
At La Cruz Church, this is primarily lived out through small groups. These groups create space for prayer, conversation, support, and shared life. In a bilingual and multicultural context, this step is especially important, as it helps bridge differences and form genuine connections across cultures.
In this stage, people begin to be known. They move from being part of a crowd to being part of a community. Trust is built, friendships are formed, and faith begins to take on a more personal dimension.
The goal of this step is relational connection. A disciple can not grow in isolation but in community with other believers who will encourage one another and desire to learn from each other.
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The third step, Grow/Crece, is where intentional spiritual formation takes place. While connection establishes relationships, growth establishes foundation. At this stage, we guide individuals into a deeper understanding of Scripture, theology, and the practices of the Christian life.
This step is expressed through discipleship classes, teaching Christian foundations, and intentional formation processes. We are currently developing a structured pathway that will provide biblical and doctrinal grounding for those who are new in their faith as well as those seeking to deepen their understanding.Growth is not simply about gaining knowledge, but about transformation. It involves learning to follow Jesus in daily life, developing spiritual disciplines, and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape one’s character.
The goal of this step is maturity. A growing disciple is one who is being formed into the likeness of Christ.
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The fourth step represents a significant shift. Live Generously/ Vive Generosamente is where discipleship becomes visible and tangible. At this stage, individuals begin to respond to God not only with belief, but with their whole lives.
We understand generosity as a way of life expressed in three directions: upward, inward, and outward.
Upward, we give to God through our tithes and offerings, recognizing that all we have belongs to Him. Inward, we serve within the church, using our gifts and abilities to strengthen the body of Christ. Outward, we go into the community, participating in acts of compassion and service that reflect the love of Jesus beyond the walls of the church.
This step is essential because it forms disciples who are not merely consumers of spiritual content, but active participants in God’s mission. Generosity reflects trust, surrender, and ownership.
The goal of this step is transformation into a life that reflects Christ’s generosity in every area.
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The final step, Multiply, represents the fullness of discipleship. A mature disciple becomes someone who helps others follow Jesus. This is where the pathway extends beyond the individual and begins to impact others.
Multiplication takes place through invitation and evangelism. Individuals who reach this stage are invited to lead small groups, disciple others, and participate in the ongoing mission of the church, including future church planting efforts.
This step is not about perfection, but about reproduction. It reflects the biblical call to make disciples, not just to be one.
The goal of this step is multiplication. A healthy church is one where disciples are continually being formed and sent.
La Cruz Church exists to welcome people into the love of Christ and to form them into disciples who live transformed lives and participate in the mission of God.
As our church has grown from a relational outreach expression that started in 2019, into a weekly worshiping community in 2024, it has become increasingly clear that we need not only to gather people, but to guide them in becoming a mature disciple of Jesus Christ. The Discipleship Pathway is our response to that need.
This pathway provides clarity for both new and existing participants by answering a simple but essential question: What is my next step? It reflects our conviction that spiritual growth should be intentional, accessible, and relational. Every person who encounters La Cruz Church is invited into a journey that moves from initial connection to mature, multiplying discipleship.
Our pathway is shaped by our story. We began around the table, creating spaces of hospitality and belonging. We have grown into a worshiping community centered on Christ and His Word. Now we are stepping into a season of greater intentionality, where we help people not only come and belong, but also grow, serve, give, and multiply.