I was saved at 13 in 1974. Sadly, became a Lone Ranger Christian through high school and college even though I clearly had a “road to Damascus” encounter with Christ my freshman year at Colorado State University. Unfortunately, after that encounter, it took 3 more years of missed opportunities and knockings on my door before I completely “emptied the closet” for Christ at the age of 22 in 1983. I immediately caught the big wave of Christian fellowship groups and networking through Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin. The gifted teaching of Stuart Briscoe that existed there at the time gave my right brained, artistic spirit a good under-pinning of Christian apologetics. At the same time I was skipping my way through 3 commercial art studios as an illustrator and hooked up with the Macintosh computer in 1987. Started my own Computer graphics firm, Artess Inc., in 1990. By God’s grace, an illustration of mine got accepted into the Society of Illustrators in New York City which really helped to jump start my business. Married the “Boss” at that time as well and 20 years has passed in a blink. I did extensive Christian publishing work in the 1990’s (i.e. Zondervan, Focus on the Family, Questar), but it’s given way to my current corporate clientele of Kohler Company, Walmart and Yamaha – Sadly, they pay much better. My wife and I are 2 years away from Emptynestdom and eagerly looking for God’s signposts that will further direct us in youth ministry. Greg Tess Interview with Small Group Trader: Small Group Trader: When did you decide to serve in Small Group Ministry?
Greg Tess: I’ve been a church worship leader and small group leader over the course of the last 25 years, but 5 years ago was asked to start up a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Huddle at the local high school. Small Group Trader: What encouragement would you offer to small group leaders out there?
Greg Tess: Tom Hanks, at the end of the movie “Castaway”, when asked by a friend how he kept himself going said, “You’ve gotta keep breathing, because you never know what the tide might bring in – for me, it brought a sail.” So, my encouragement; keep at it, because the biggest joy is how God always delivers amazing solutions when circumstances seem dark.
Small Group Trader: In what ways have you and your spouse/family grown spiritually since you have been involved in this ministry?
Greg Tess: We’ve learned that it’s safe and easy to “talk the talk” within the walls of a church or the cozy setting of a neighborhood Bible study or family camp, but this FCA effort with my wife and 2 teenagers over the last 5 years has revealed God’s Kingdom to us in wonderful and challenging ways that has matured all of our belief systems. Small Group Trader: Why does small group ministry play such a critical role in the church today?
Greg Tess: To deepen our relationships within the church, but also to put “boots” on our faith so that we can confidently walk it out at our day jobs and in our schools.