CARE Groups are a special part of the Harvester's ministry. They provide family times of fellowship and Bible study, done during the week, in a small group setting.

• Friendship
• A Small group setting
• Support
• A place to belong
• Encouragement for singles, single parents
• Ways to apply scripture in everyday Life
• Households including teens and children

A Focus of CARE Groups is Strengthening Households.

Why CARE Groups?

Care Groups are the primary place for pastoral care and discipleship. Care Groups provide a warm and personal setting where deep relationships can form. Isn’t that what the church is all about … intimate relationship with God and with one another? Shepherding, personal oversight and guidance within small groups supplements and reinforces the preaching ministry of our pastor. Care Groups are not just another program or meeting. We see the Care Groups as being the heart of the church. Much of the life and growth of the church body occurs in and through our Care Groups. We are Christians bonding together and maturing in the power of the Gospel and working together to impact a lost world, i.e. to disciple the nations.

What are CARE Groups?

Care Groups are comprised of 6-12 adults including all members of their households. They usually meet once a week in a home. Care Groups are where we learn to apply biblical principles to all of life. Those demonstrating the gifts and calling to disciple the flock are either Elders or other qualified leaders.

More than a bible study, Care Group members actively apply the Word to grow spiritually so we may be more effective in ministering to one another. Most Care Groups develop opportunities to carry the gospel beyond the group in numerous ways into our community.

Our desire is for Care Groups to multiply rather than grow too large for effective shepherding. Birthing of new Care Groups provides healthy training for the larger church.

Purpose of C.A.R.E. Groups

CONNECTING WITH GOD AND PEOPLE
We gather together in the name of Christ to experience His presence and power. We also connect with fellow Christians. God never intended for the Christian life to be lived in isolation. "…and breaking bread from house to house … with gladness and sincerity of heart" [Acts 2:46]. We are to stimulate one another to love and good deeds. [Heb 10:24]

ACCEPTING AND LOVING ONE ANOTHER
Romans 15:4 instructs us to "accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God." We come from different backgrounds, have different opinions about things, and have different maturity levels. It is Jesus Christ that unites us as brothers and sisters. The world will know we are Christians by our love for one another. [Gal 6:10]

REFLECTING JESUS CHRIST
Every Christian is called to become more conformed to the image of Jesus each day. God doesn’t leave us the way He found us. God brings about this change in us by the power of His Spirit as we apply the Bible to our lives. We speak of the household of faith being God's church. Care Groups actively minister to strengthen family relationships. The Care Group is where spiritual leadership within the family is developed for this and the next generation(s) [1 Tim 3:1ff]. Our focus includes building a Biblical World View into children, preparing them for the time when God will raise them up as future leaders. This household focus provides unparalleled encouragement to singles, single parents, widows and widowers, by endeavoring to provide a biblical model of the household.

EXTENDING GOD’S KINGDOM BY SHARING THE GOSPEL
We are known by the fruit we bear. We are called to be salt and light in the community, to be ambassadors, holding out hope for those providentially brought into our paths. Care Groups practice our readiness to share the gospel, individually and as households. 1 Peter 3:16. Care Group members pool resources for ministry opportunities that might otherwise be disregarded. Ministry of Mercy is much needed and is a unique calling of the church through the Care Group.