Walking Through Life Together: David & Jenni’s Life Group Story

For David and Jenni Gailey, being part of a Life Group at Mt. Olive Commerce didn’t start with a big moment; it started with consistency. They’ve been connected to a Bible study group since 2019, building relationships over time that would become deeply meaningful.

When a leadership transition opened the door for David to help teach, he stepped in not knowing exactly what to expect, but quickly discovering how natural it felt. “The interactions with the group made it easier than I thought,” David shared.

A Place to Be Real

One of the biggest surprises for David was how quickly the group became a safe place. Conversations weren’t surface-level. People were open about faith, doubts, and real-life struggles.

“We realized we were dealing with many of the same things. That made it easier to share and grow together.”

Because many of the group members already had relationships, those connections deepened into spiritual trust. Over time, David began to notice something unexpected: Life Group wasn’t just helping him inside the church; it was shaping how he lived out his faith everywhere else.

Growing Through Every Season

Life Group has helped keep David grounded in God’s Word and attentive to how God is working in the lives of others. It’s also been a place of shared burdens and steady encouragement.

When Jenni was diagnosed with cancer, their Life Group didn’t hesitate to step in by praying, checking in, and walking with them through that season. “Talking about it together and knowing people were praying helped keep us grounded,” David said.

What He’s Learned Along the Way

• Faith was never meant to be lived alone.

• The struggles we carry are often shared by others

• God works powerfully through community

• Walking together makes faith stronger

“I’ve learned I’m not on an island. We help each other work through life and faith together.”

For Anyone on the Fence

David understands the hesitation. Joining a Life Group can feel intimidating, but he’s convinced it’s worth it.

“The rewards outweigh the emotional risks,” he says. “We grow better together when we’re willing to share life, learn, and walk with the Lord side by side.”

And maybe the most telling sign of all?

 “How much I miss it when I’m not there.”

👉 Looking for a place to belong and grow?

Explore our Life Groups Page or learn more about David & Jenni’s Life Group that they lead with Darrell and Julie.

Life Groups at Mt. Olive Commerce are more than a weekly meeting: they’re smaller communities committed to living life together, in every season.

Would you like to share your Life Group Story? We'd love to hear it here.