As a community, we have and continue to receive endless love, mercy and healing from God. Caring for one another then, particularly when there is hurt or loss, is our natural response to God caring for us and therefore is part of our DNA here at GPBC.
The act of caring is not limited to a few leaders or pastors within our church. We all have been equipped by God to be involved in each other’s lives and respond in compassion and selflessness. Small groups care for small group members. Ministry teams look out for the individuals serving with them. We all keep our eyes and hearts open to see and respond to the needs of the people around us.
To help us coordinate and meet needs better, we have developed what we call the Care Network, to facilitate communication between ministries and groups within GPBC. The purpose of the network is to enable the church family to more effectively come alongside people experiencing times of need.
I could use help right now.
Please contact us so we can support you. Email
, or call the church office at 503.452.9375.
Our Care Network also includes these specific and concentrated forms of caring:
Stephen Ministry
We all experience challenges in life—times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend. Stephen Ministers are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty, such as: loss of a loved one; hospitalization; divorce or separation; spiritual crisis; unemployment or a job crisis; a terminal illness; incarceration; aging; birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility; a chronic illness; relocation; recovery after an accident or disaster; and many more.
Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry: The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remains private. To request or recommend someone to be paired with a Stephen Minister email , or call the church office at 503.452.9375.
For more information about Stephen Ministry, both what the ministry is about or how you can be involved, click here.
Short Term Care
Life happens—and when it does, sometimes we need practical help to get through the week. Maybe it’s welcoming a new baby, or stepping into a season of crisis. Through this ministry we help with meals, transportation, home support, shopping, and more. One of our short-term care agents is Manna Ministry...
Manna Ministry - Serving people in crisis with nourishing meals and compassionate presence
That mission is carried out through three interconnected efforts that bring people together to make and share meals with others.
- Meal Trains - Show up with dinner when life turns upside down
This arm helps organize meals delivered directly to individuals or families during crisis, recovery, or transition. - Freezer Meals - Stock a freezer, feed a soul--one ready-to-go meal at a time
This arm is about providing homemade or store-bought freezer meals in advance so the church can respond quickly when needs arise. - Meals Made Together - Gather in the kitchen, give from the heart
This arm gathers volunteers to prepare meals in community, cooking together for those facing hardship.
To participate in any of these arms of the Manna Ministry, email us at .
Care Visitation
When a community member is hospitalized or otherwise has a definitive and negative life event occur, we make every effort to extend a personal visit to the individual. This is often a pastor or elder but also includes others in the Care Network. People want to know someone is there when going through the worst moments in life.
Bereavement
We believe it to be an honor that God allows us to stand alongside and support those who have lost someone they love. While Stephen Ministers are trained to walk alongside individuals during the longer-term grief process, we also serve the family of the deceased by helping coordinate, plan and implement appropriate remembrances.
Marriage Mentoring
We want to see marriages be healthy and thrive. Marriage mentoring provides support for couples who are seriously dating or engaged, marriages that need renewal, and marriages experiencing difficult challenges. Click here for more information about this ministry.
Resource Directory
We can help connect you with agencies within our city that can assist you with other needs such as counseling, parenting, addiction services, housing, personal finances, employment, support groups and more. We know that the web of government and non-profit assistance agencies can be confusing and frustrating to sort through and work with. If you need someone to help you navigate this system, email . You can also click below for a page of resources that have our stamp of approval.
Resource Directory
Alcoholics Anonymous
To find group meetings at both Greater Portland Bible Church and throughout the city, visit the Portland Area Intergroup for AA at their website at www.pdxaa.com.
I could use help right now.
Please contact us so we can support you. Email , or call the church office at 503.452.9375.
I’d like to be included in the Care Network so I can help when needed.
Thank you! We’d love to serve with you. Email , or call the church office at 503.452.9375 and let us know.
Susan Fleming, Care Network Director