Rooted: A Transformative Experience That Connects You with God and Others
By Marielysa Castellano
If I had to describe the Rooted experience in one word, it would be “Depth.” From the very first day's reading, you’re invited to explore your faith and strengthen your relationship with God, your church, and your purpose.
Over ten weeks, my faith was transformed and I became braver. And I don't even speak English!
My Personal Experience with Rooted: A Stronger Faith, A New Language
Let me share a story. When I joined Rooted, I found myself in a group of people I didn’t know, speaking a language that wasn’t my own. Yet, something in my heart said, “This will connect you with God because you’ll gain new perspectives.”
I’m Marielysa, and even though you’re reading this in English, I’m not fluent in the language. Still, Rooted was such a life-changing experience that it showed me God’s power to break through language and cultural barriers. So, I can speak to you from my heart—it was not only transformative but also challenging, as it pushed me to be braver than ever.
For years, I’ve been intentional about growing spiritually and learning more about God’s greatness. I love devotionals, small group studies, and Christian discipleship courses, so Rooted was the perfect fit for me. Plus, as a journaling enthusiast, I was captivated by the program’s workbook from the moment I opened it.
What Is the Rooted Program and How Does It Change Lives?
Rooted is designed to be completed in small groups over 10 weeks, establishing powerful discipleship habits for the participant’s life and the church’s mission. While the daily topics are incredibly enriching and delve deeply into God’s love and existence, the group dynamic made the experience truly magical for me.
Our diverse personalities, stories, and desires came together to deepen our relationship and connection with God.
As the program describes:
"The Rooted experience takes church groups on a 10-week journey of learning and practicing. Groups explore foundational Christian beliefs and engage in the seven New Testament rhythms of discipleship. The experience challenges and inspires participants to step outside their comfort zones while following Jesus."
In my Spanish-speaking church, we say, “We grow better in circles,” referring to the importance of small groups. Through Rooted at Summit Orlando, I experienced how deeply true this is in my faith journey.
Each day’s content challenges you, helping you to root your values and principles more firmly as a follower of Christ. You have to experience it for yourself!
The Challenge: Closer to God and My Purpose
As I mentioned, I’m not fluent in English. On my first day in Rooted, I felt as nervous as I would singing the national anthem in front of a stadium of 5,000 people. But instead, I was in a room with 12 people who lovingly welcomed me and patiently tried to understand me.
The 10 weeks are structured around five days of devotions, each including readings, Bible verses, reflective questions, and inspiring stories. My routine involved taking a photo of each day’s content, using AI tools like ChatGPT to translate it into Spanish, and underlining new vocabulary words to learn.
Though this process was challenging, nothing compared to the incredible gift of understanding how churches in the U.S. perceive, live out, and follow a God who knows no borders. It was beautiful to experience this perspective and to see how God led me to learn English in this way—within his house, surrounded by his story.
God has so much to share with us. And he does it step by step, with gentleness and patience. Rooted invites us to develop those same qualities in our own lives. For this, I’m truly grateful.
The Benefits of Rooted: Transformation and Purpose
Beyond personal growth, Rooted creates an ideal space for community building. During these weeks, I experienced:
The importance of daily journaling as a tool to deepen my faith.
How small groups reflect the love and unity God desires for His church.
How God calls us to be faithful servants and leaders, impacting others for His glory.
As Pastor Michael Hinton said during the program’s closing:
"This isn’t the end of a line; it’s a point in the story."
If you’re looking to establish a daily habit of being with God, these 10 weeks are perfect for aligning your mind and schedule with spiritual growth. Rooted removes excuses and strengthens the roots of faith in our hearts.
My Invitation to You: Experience Rooted!
If you’re searching for a deeper faith and a consistent devotional habit, Rooted is for you. You’ll find a space to connect with God, develop a stronger faith, and practice journaling, studying the Bible, and growing within community.
And here’s the best part—if Rooted could totally shake up my life, just think about what it could do for you! Take the leap, join Rooted, and see for yourself how God can transform your life and purpose.