Can he belong before he believes?

It is awesome to witness lives being transformed and people coming alife within a group of people who are emerging into community life. Borrowing workable and biblical themes from the emergent conversation about community life, we confessed our church & cell vision as one which is moving towards an authentic, transformational and missional community.
C and A [ a couple with 2 kids ] is one example of lives being transformed: as least from my perspective. If you ever asked C whether he is a Christian or not, you would probably not get a clear affirmative answer. He is usually very quiet during church services although he smiles whenever you approach him. C had been coming with wife A and family to church for a number of years.They even attend our church camps yearly. He likes to be prayed for. The church had try to fit them into a number of cell groups; but at their last cell BBQ, I saw glimpses of transformation. He was "in"not out; He "belonged";he wasn't just there, He was"present"; he was just part of the community, interacting, responding, participated in the jokes [ not just smiling ].
Inspite of much constraints with work, raising 2 young kids and other problems, they would not miss their cell meetings. Even if they are late, they are eager to be there. They just do not want to miss the group's "fellowship". Why did they "fit in"?.
Is this a case of belonging before believing. Or has he believe? Can he belong to the group before he confess his belief correctly?
I found out that the couple felt very much cared for. When their kid was in hospital, at a phone call the cell leader was there with them. It was midnight. There is power in sacrifice. Bravo to the cell leaders who made the sacrifice and other sacrifice to show their care to this flock.