CARE MINISTRY
Our Care Ministries exist to support and meet needs for those who are facing difficulties in their lives. Be that through practical help, support, or simply coming alongside as a friend. Our Care Council clings closely to Jesus' words in Matthew 25:40 - that in caring for people, through people - we come close to the heart of God.
Pastoral Care
Our staffing structure at Forest Brook includes 5 full-time pastors (Senior, Worship, Care, Youth and Children) and each of these individuals is passionate about caring for the needs of our community and congregation.
Pastoral Care can include advising, listening and caring for people in all of life's circumstances. Be it family, marriage, spiritual, financial or circumstantial needs, our pastoral staff is willing and able to provide a listening ear, wise counsel based on God's direction in His Word, or other practical help as it is needed.
Kevin, Jeff, Donna, Jim and Yvonne welcome you to reach out to them at any time as you feel need - they are eager and willing to provide wisdom, counsel and care to you as you need.
Community Support
Food Cupboard
Our Food Cupboard is a ministry that is close to our heart here at Forest Brook. Our congregation regularly stocks this cupboard with non-perishable food that can be accessed by those who are struggling financially and need assistance to meet their basic needs. To access the food cupboard, you must register with the program in our church office. The cupboard is designated as an emergency cupboard and may be accessed once a month. Each visit you may fill two reusable grocery bags, and may be given a grocery voucher as well if available. The Food Cupboard is open on Monday's and Tuesday's.
Souper Stars
Anyone 5 yrs or older is welcome to join in a Souper Stars evening, which occur the last Thursday of every month (except December) at 5:30 p.m. Under the leadership of Dietitians, participants are educated about cooking skills and creating nutritional meals within a budget, while making healthy soups together in our kitchen. Then everyone enjoys a meal of the freshly made soup as a community, and even get to take some home for the next day.
Christmas-Adopt-a-Family
Our congregation also works to support those who are in need at Christmas time. If you require assistance over the holidays in order to provide gifts and food for you and your family, you can apply to this program through our church office. Applications are available sometime in mid-late November.
Special Needs
We are always available to those who are in need, if you have a special request, need or struggle that you are seeking assistance with, we encourage you to contact our church office, and one of our pastoral staff would be pleased to speak with you!
Congregational Support
Encouragement and Practical Care Ministry
There are several ministries that exist within our community to encourage, support and provide care to one another during times of joy and gladness, as well as sorrow and grief. Notes of encouragement, flowers and gifts, hot and frozen meals, transportation for medical treatments, and in-home assistance are all ways in which we seek to support one another as a church family. Included in this care are times of joy and celebration where we get together to celebrate with wedding and baby showers.
Visitation Ministry
This ministry is specifically for those for whom a visit in the hospital, at home or over coffee would be helpful, our elders and pastoral team as well as several caring and committed members of our congregation are available to meet with you, share in your concern and to pray for and encourage you in a difficult or trying time.
Bereavement Ministry
As a church family, we seek to provide compassion, love and comfort during times of death and loss. We offer ongoing grief and support as well as pastoral counselling in the midst of crisis. Assistance with the planning and leading of funeral or memorial services and receptions are also something we offer to our community.
Benevolent Ministry
From time to time, families and individuals find themselves in difficult financial circumstances due to unexpected crisis, illness or unemployment. Depending on the individual circumstance, assistance in the from of financial counseling and/or provision of emergency funding and food and basic necessities may be provided.
Celebrate Recovery
Discover freedom from life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups. You do not have to walk the journey of recovery alone. You are warmly invited to come to Celebrate Recovery, a biblical and balanced recovery program. It is designed for people seeking freedom and healing from harmful behavior or relationship patterns in their lives. Examples include low self-esteem, need to control, depression, anger, co-dependency, perfectionism, fear of abandonment, dependency on alcohol or drugs, pornography, broken relationships and abuse.
Might Celebrate Recovery Be For Me?
Celebrate Recovery offers the opportunity to participate in a group fellowship where love and hope combine with God’s purpose to mend our lives.
Ask yourself:
Are there things in my life that I do that hurts others?
Is there something I wish I could live without?
Do I have a painful habit or hang-up from which I need to be freed?
If you answered “yes” to any of these statements then why not attend a Celebrate Recovery meeting to see if it is for you.
When: Drop in any Monday ~ we are always here - there is no need to sign-up or register!
Where: Forest Brook Community Church. Please park and enter through the north entrance (there is signage to direct you!)
What should I expect?
6:30 PM - Light Refreshments
Join us for good food and a chance to meet new people.
7:00 PM - Large Group Session
This time begins your recovery in safe place of acceptance, which always includes worship, teaching or an inspiring testimony.
8:00 PM - Small Groups
These gender specific groups provide an opportunity for sharing and prayer. They are open for you to join at any time.
9:00 PM - Solid Rock Cafe
Your evening ends with a time when you can connect for coffee and tea and more relaxed discussion.
Where do I get more information about Celebrate Recovery?
Check out the Canadian web-site at www.celebraterecovery.ca to learn more about this program that is active in 35,000 churches worldwide, with over 5 million people attending Celebrate Recovery groups.
Men's and Women's Step Studies:
New Celebrate Recovery Step Studies will be opening in the near future. All are welcome.
How can I find out more about Celebrate Recovery at Forest Brook?
Feel free to contact one of the Ministry leaders directly:
David Percival - Ministry Lead
Donna Moss - Care Pastor
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is a program that provides confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing periods of crisis, transition or difficulty. Through Stephen Ministers - our hope and prayer is that people from our congregation and community don't need to go through crises and difficulties alone.
Who are Stephen Ministers?
Stephen Ministry is a confidential care ministry - all care remains private.
If you or someone in your life could benefit from a Stephen Minister in your life, please contact Donna Moss.
Get in touch with Donna,
our Care Pastor!