Intro to Life Groups
Are you interested in connecting with a Life Group at our Murfreesboro Campus? We invite you to attend an upcoming Intro to Life Groups meeting! At this meeting, you will learn about ECC’s vision for Life Groups, have an opportunity to meet and greet with Life Group leaders who are in attendance, and also receive a list of open groups. We aim to simply cast the vision for Life Groups and get you plugged in. Select the link below to see upcoming meeting dates and sign up to attend.
September Life Group Launch
You are invited to register and become a member of one of the upcoming Life Groups launching the first week of September! Take a moment to review the bios and choose the group that aligns best with your needs. We kindly ask that you commit to regular attendance when signing up. As slots are limited, we aim to fill them with individuals prioritizing a consistent community.
Group One
Chris Dedmon (Men’s)
- Monday at 6:30 PM
- Begins September 14th
- Meets in Christiana
- No Childcare
- Allergies: dog present North Murfreesboro
- Allergies: Dog present
Christopher is a Smyrna, TN native. He and his wife married for 10 years and together for 15 are raising their 8‑year‑old daughter and their loyal 10‑year‑old lab/border collie mix, Baxter. He’s passionate about serving in Community because he loves helping lead a biblical life group that genuinely loves God, loves people, and lives out the gospel in everyday life. What excites him most is building real, Christ‑centered relationships with other men and creating spaces where honesty, prayer, and walking through both joys and struggles together are at the heart of group life.
Group Two
Joy Ferrell (Women’s)
- Monday at 6:30 PM
- Begins September 16th
- Meets near Medical Center Parkway
- Allergies: Dog Present
- No Childcare
Joy is originally from Carthage, Tennessee, and has been part of ECC for five years. She’s married and semi‑retired, with three children and three grandchildren who all live nearby. She’s passionate about serving in Community because she loves the Life Group experience and caring for others. She looks forward most to sharing life and growing in faith.
Group Three
Joanne Swain (Women’s)
- Monday at 6:30 PM
- Begins September 14th
- Meets near Medical Center Pkwy
- No Childcare
Joanne is originally from New York and has been part of ECC for about six years. She and her husband, Dennis, have three children and six grandchildren who keep life full and joyful. She’s passionate about Community because she loves how ECC studies God’s Word and brings people together. What she looks forward to most in group life is simply being in community, sharing life, faith, and meaningful connection. And her fun fact? Joanne used to take dance lessons.
Group Four
Sammi McClanahan (Women’s)
- Tuesday at 6:00 pm
- Begins September 15th
- Meets in North Mount Juliet
- No childcare
Sammi is originally from North Little Rock, Arkansas, and has been part of ECC for 10 years! She has twin daughters and four beautiful grandchildren. All of them eventually made their way to this area thanks to one daughter staying after graduating from MTSU and the other starting her family here. She also has two sons‑in‑law she considers absolute gifts from God. Sammi is passionate about community because her Life Group has meant everything to her over the past five years. Now that she’s moved to Mt. Juliet, she’s excited to pour into a group of women the same way she’s been poured into and build community in her new hometown. She’s most looking forward to bonding, Bible study, and creating meaningful connections. Fun fact about Sammi: she’s ridden in a Black Hawk helicopter!
Group Five
Emily Bolton (Women’s)
- Tuesday at 6:30 pm
- Begins September 15th
- Meets in Northeast Murfreesboro
- No childcare
Emily’s home is full and lively; she and her husband have four kids, a nephew, and three dachshunds, making every day busy, joyful, and a little chaotic in the best way. She wasn’t raised in the church, but discovering God transformed her life completely. Now she’s passionate about giving back, sharing life with others, and keeping Christ at the center of community. She’s excited to learn more about Scripture, grow together in a judgment‑free space, and lift one another in prayer and love. Fun fact: Emily used to play three instruments: piano, saxophone, and violin (her favorite!)
Group Six
Rick & Susan Beeney (Co-Ed) CLOSED
- Co-Ed Life Group
- Tuesdays at 6:30 PM
- Begins September 15th
- Meets at their home in West Murfreesboro
- No childcare
Susan is originally from Long Beach, California, and she and Rick have been part of ECC for four years. They have two adult married sons and five grandsons, including two who were foster-adopted as babies. They love serving in community because ECC truly feels like family, and discipleship has always been a passion for them. They’re excited to be part of a Life Group where people genuinely love and care for one another. Their fun fact is a sweet lifelong love story: Susan and Rick met in middle school at 14 and started dating at 15 when he was the star quarterback, and she was the head cheerleader. They got married two years after high school and have now been married for 57 years!
Group Seven
Daudh Kadim (Men’s) (Spanish & English)
- Wednesday at 7:00 PM
- Begins September 16th
- Meets in Murfreesboro near Cason Lane
- No Childcare
Daudh was born in Nashville and grew up in Murfreesboro, with meaningful seasons spent in Quito, Ecuador. He and his wife, Andrea, who is from Ecuador, joined ECC in late 2024. Together they’re raising two lively kids: Mia, their energetic kindergartener, and Samuel, their one‑year‑old who loves food just like his dad. Daudh is passionate about serving in Community because he’s seen firsthand how God transforms lives through people who invest in one another. He wants to pour into others the same way others poured into him. He’s especially excited to walk alongside men in group life, creating space for openness, vulnerability, and growth. And a fun fact: Daudh is secretly a talented cook and loves firing up the grill for friends.
Group Eight
Maggie Lawrence (Women’s)
- Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
- Begins September 16th
- Meets in North Murfreesboro
- No Childcare
- Allergy Notice: Dog Present
Maggie is originally from Manchester, Tennessee, and has been at ECC for about a year. She comes from a big family with three brothers and three sisters, and she’s been married for two years to her high‑school sweetheart after ten years together. She’s passionate about serving in Community because she wants to help others know the Lord and grow in their relationship with Him. She’s most excited about getting to know new people and building a God‑centered community of women who support one another. And her fun fact? Maggie was the kicker for her high school football team her senior year.
Group Nine
Shoshanna VanGemeren (Women’s)
- Wednesday at 6:00 PM
- Begins September 16th
- Meets near MTSU
- Dog Present
- No Childcare
Shoshanna grew up in Jackson, MS, made stops in Chicago and Southern California, and landed in Tennessee in September 2025, joining ECC as soon as she arrived. She comes from a family rooted in deep faith: her dad is a Hebrew and Old Testament scholar, her mom led international women’s ministry, and her sisters share an active walk with God. She’s passionate about serving women at ECC, helping them grow spiritually and build godly friendships. She’s excited to see how God uses group life to encourage and strengthen others. Fun fact: Shoshanna spent 3.5 years assisting Billy Blanks (yes, the Tae Bo guy!) and is a personal trainer and retired IFBB bikini pro.
Group Ten
Wendy Erwin (Women’s)
- Thursday at 6:00 PM
- Begins September 17th
- Meets in North Murfreesboro
- No Childcare
Wendy is originally from Martin in Northwest Tennessee and has been part of ECC for five years. She and her husband have been married for 32 years and have built a beautiful life in Murfreesboro over the past 13 years. They have three daughters and four grandchildren, with grandchild number five, a little girl, arriving in January 2027. She’s passionate about sharing her love for Christ and creating a community where women can grow, encourage one another, and build meaningful relationships. Wendy is excited for group life, learning together, connecting, and forming lasting friendships. Fun fact: Wendy loves transforming ordinary spaces and furniture into something beautiful and is always dreaming up her next DIY project.
Group Eleven
Aleks & Kelly Clark (Spanish Co-Ed)
- Thursdays at 7:00 PM
- Begins September 17th
- Meets at their home in South Murfreesboro
- Allergy Notice: Dog & Cat Present
- Childcare available: reach out to the leader for more information
Aleks and Kelly originally met in Peru! Kelly’s family is from there, and Aleks family has been missionaries there for a long time. They have three kids and have been a part of ECC for three years. They have served with the Spanish Ministry since its beginning, with Aleks being one of the translators. Fun Fact about Aleks: he dressed up as Martin Luther this past Reformation Day, shaved head and all!
Group Twelve
Llyn & Kara Patterson (Women’s)
- Thursday at 6:45 PM
- Begins September 17th
- Meets in Mt. Juliet
- Allergies : Dog Present
Llyn is originally from Clinton, North Carolina, and Kara is originally from Chicago, Illinois. They have been part of ECC for two years. They’re a blended family with four children, their youngest now 15. They’re passionate about serving in Community because they want to use their God‑given talents to bless others. What they look forward to most in group life are the rich discussions centered on God’s Word and growing together in truth. And their fun fact? Llyn is a twin. And Kara has a double master’s degree, Level 5 Counselor in the state of TN
