Testimonials

"Adult Bible Fellowships (ABFs) at Hudson Community Chapel continue to accomplish much greater than simply replacing what has been known as adult Sunday school. That is not to say that Sunday school has no value only that ABFs go beyond instruction. As a large church of well over 2000 the ABFs provide opportunities for relationships to develop, for ministry to one another to occur, and for individual to connect to their church.I am convinced that our ABFs produce those who are most significantly involved in our church at every level. Those who attend an ABF are growing spiritually because of the regular interaction with the Bible and other maturing Christians. ABFs are the "training camps" for our "team" of spiritually 'fit for life athletes.'" 
Pastor Jim Colledge
Hudson Community Chapel, Hudson, OH

"Steve came to train our group leaders in our church and the response was tremendous. He gave them the "nuts and bolts" of mid-size group ministry in a way that motivated them to take the next step for each of their groups. It was anything but dry. His real life stories inspired all of us to realize that mid-size groups can make a huge impact on the discipleship ministries in our church. He was able to do in a half-day of training what would have taken me at least 8 months. I highly recommend his training for all churches serious about developing mid-size groups in their church. Our people said they could have listened to Steve all day. It was great."
Dallas Dix, Pastor of Adult Ministries 
East Bay Calvary Church, Traverse City, MI

"Having Steve Lizzio provide training for our ABF teachers and leaders was just the “shot in the arm” that we needed. Not only did he energize the groups who had been in existence for some time, but he also helped the newer groups identify some “next steps” in implementing the ABF philosophy. His enthusiasm for developing followers of Christ through community in whatever form—Adult Bible Fellowships and/or small groups—is motivating to all leaders in these areas. With his vast experience in developing groups that balance strong biblical teaching and vibrant community, he is able to provide encouragement and counsel to churches in any stage of their development of ABF’s."
Pastor John Blackburn & Teena Sims, Director of Adult Education
Olathe Bible Church, Olathe, KS

"Through a gradual decline in relational building within the 'Sunday school' hour we decided through much prayer to follow the pattern of ABF. Steve Lizzio came in and spent a weekend with us dealing with strategies toward developing connections in community rather than just a classroom. We invited several churches to this event and found the information Steve presented to be extremely timely, beneficial and easily oriented to our own situation. Steve’s style and passion is effective in igniting the passions of others and I highly recommend his training events. But let me warn you, if you enjoy status quo, find someone else."
Pastor Glen Jago
Church of the Open Door, Fort Washington, PA
www.cod.org

"Three years ago our church adopted the ABF philosophy. Over the past three years we have seen tremendous growth through the ABFs. In the beginning of this journey we had around 500 adults attending traditional Sunday School classes. Now we see nearly 1300 adults attending their ABF classes each week. But we felt like we were still missing a foundational understanding of the ABF philosophy and we wanted to do something to take it to the next level. That’s when I contacted Steve Lizzio. I knew after talking with Steve for 5 minutes on the phone that I needed to have him come and do a seminar on the ABF philosophy for my teachers and leaders. Steve came on September 6th 2003. I can’t even begin to tell you what an impact Steve had on our teachers and leaders. His excitement, zeal, and passion for authentic community ignited a fire in my teachers. Not even a week after the seminar I began to observe classes that I thought were dead and dying begin to experience new growth and life. One of our classes, Faith & Action, has been on a serious decline for the past year. Since the seminar they have doubled in size and it is evident that they have caught the vision of what an ABF is all about. Thanks Steve for your dedication and commitment to the ABF Philosophy. I would encourage any pastor who is considering moving to the ABF philosophy, or any pastor who is looking to take their current ABFs to the next level to contact Steve. You won’t be disappointed."
Pastor Brad Wicks
James River Assembly, Ozark, MO

"The ABF Class Leader Course is an outstanding way to develop leaders in your church. When you need a structure to train leaders, the course by Steve Lizzio will help fulfill that mission. I first knew Steve as a student here at Liberty University, even then his passion was to disciple individuals as he worked in a local church. This course carries out the passion he has had for almost 20 years. May God use this material to train many for local church evangelism and discipleship."
Dr. Elmer Towns
School of Religion, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
www.elmertowns.com

"Steve really knows Adult Bible Fellowships and the valuable 'communities' they add to a church over 100. I certainly recommend his teaching and seminars on ABFs, which save my neck as a pastor every day!"
Pastor Knute Larson (author of The ABF Book)
Senior Pastor, The Chapel, Akron, OH

"Too many midsize groups like ABFs give into gravity by allowing classroom over community, maintenance over ministry, inward over outward.
Please consider letting Steve's tested and proven resources launch your ABF leaders and members into a new orbit of congregational life."
Pastor Jay Halley
The Chapel, Akron, OH

"Steve Lizzio is one of the most 'on-fire' guys I've ever met. His passion for the church and seeing believers discipled is inspiring and contagious!"
Pastor Scott Christenson
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Palatine, IL

"Steve stepped in to assist our ministry in establishing the ABF model of adult ministry, and I'm so glad he did! God used Steve to help guide our
ministry planning and to communicate the ABF vision to our church. Steve's training course has been a tremendous tool for laying the foundation for solid methodology in our ABFs."
Pastor Ken Powell
First Baptist Church of Downers Grove, Downers Grove, IL

"Communities have provided a wonderful way for me and my wife to become involved and connected to the body of be believers at Hope Church! We have found a place where we can develop new and meaningful relationships with others, grow in our faith and love for Jesus Christ and the opportunity to use our gifts and talents to serve one another. We are very are very thankful to be a part of this extended family. We feel at home now!"
The Krugmans
Hope Church, Mason, OH 

"Steve has developed some outstanding materials. This is the best 'stuff' I have seen in a long time for adult ministries and classes."
Pastor Mike Broyles
Grace Baptist Church, Santa Clarita, CA

"The ABF Teaching Course provides practical ideas and a workable model for effective teaching. It is presented in a compelling, easy to understand way."
Josh Hunt, author You Can Double Your Class in Two Years or Less 
www.joshhunt.com

"We brought Steve Lizzio to our church to train our midsize and small group leaders. Steve's passion and enthusiasm for adult ministry in the local church is contagious. He especially helped our leaders catch the vision for building 'teams' to do ministry, so leaders don't become 'lone rangers'. "
Pastor Jeff Schneider
Trinity Church, Lansing, MI

“We felt that our ABF ministry needed a shot in the arm. We called Steve and invited him to meet with our ABF leadership and staff. Steve brought great insight and reminders about the importance of Godly community that helped refocus us philosophically and practically!”
Mark Lyle, Director of Assimilation
Hudson Community Chapel, Hudson, OH

"The ABF Conference made a difference in our ministry to adults. Our workers were inspired and challenged and they left with practical ideas that they used in their ABFs."
Pastor Dick Glenny
Hope Evangelical Free Church, Roscoe, IL

"The ABF Conferences we attended were pivotal in getting our own ABF ministry off the ground. The first conference helped us move from theory to reality. The second conference gave us the encouragement to keep moving forward. We now have seven ABFs up and running, thanks in large part to the instruction and encouragement we received at the ABF Conference."
Pastor Jon Wiziarde
Christ Community Church, Zion, IL

"I left the ABF Conference more committed to using ABFs for discipling adults and growing our church. I learned how to better equip ABF leaders
for ministry in our church. Steve Lizzio loves to encourage, envision and equip workers in adult ministry. Likewise, the ABF Conference encourages, envisions and equips workers for adult ministry. There is no other ABF Conference that offers specialized vision, experienced leadership, tested written helps and committed leaders for networking that keeps helping ministry after you leave. I left with increased vision, renewed enthusiasm for ABFs and practical tools I used to improve discipling adults in our church. There is no better training anywhere for 'hands-on' ministry to adults."
Pastor Paul Dysart
Chippewa Evangelical Free Church, Beaver Falls, PA