the C.A.R.E. Community
The community is the Church; it is the viable Body of Messiah coming together, living and having its being in union with the Head, and out of this dependence upon God, living out the principles taught to us in the Bible.
Everyone comes into community with the need to live out of their gifting, adding life and vitality to the Body of Messiah. When a person first comes into the community, he/she comes with a broken or divided mind/heart and often doesn’t know what their gifting might be or what they might contribute to a community. Through the process of healing, God faithfully demonstrates what He created us to be so that we can act like ourselves as we minister to Him in whatever ways He gifts us. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
This is a healing community. This is a community of broken people. It is a community committed to the truth of God’s Word, to giving God the glory through prayer and praise, to healing, to helping one another, to being transparent with one another, to praying with one another, to being honest with one another by communicating relational problems with one another, to allowing God to sift us in a community environment. There must be a willingness to walk away from worldly entrapments, a willingness to be “set apart” for the heavenly kingdom, a willingness to be hated for the sake of Messiah, a willingness to say “not my will but Thine.” This is a maturing community dedicated to fighting the good fight in the spiritual realm.
C.A.R.E.'s goal is to be a prototype for other communities. C.A.R.E., Inc. desires to develop a working model in the surrounding communities. As these programs are researched and proven successful, opportunities for other communities to establish C.A.R.E. Chapters will be provided nationally and internationally so that these successful programs can be provided wherever a need is found for them.
Benefits of Community
- A life changing opportunity to live in a Christian community and be in proximity to other trauma survivors.
- An opportunity to function as a body of Yeshua and witness the power of prayer as lives are healed.
- An opportunity to take authority in Yeshua against strongholds that are often difficult to face alone.
- An opportunity to mature spiritually and increase your faith.
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law (Torah) is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 5:13-15
Community Standards
The members of the CARE Community demonstrate these commitments and standards:
- A commitment to living a Biblical lifestyle.
- A willingness to accept the reality of one's history.
- A willingness to pray about whatever strongholds may be present in one's life.
- A willingness to address any addictive behaviors and abuse issues.
- A willingness to work with available prayer ministers, according to scheduling opportunities.
- A willingness to be submitted to the community and its leadership.
- A commitment to NO gossiping or slandering.
- A commitment to taking personal responsibility for oneself (medications, chores, etc.
- A commitment to fulfilling 14 hours of community service per week (unless employed).
Community Teams
Each member of the community is on a team consisting of other community members. They meet each Wednesday to discuss their progress on goals and share anything that is on their hearts. Community members who have had experience with spiritual warfare and prayer ministry are devoted to helping others establish a foundation for healing that has been established in their own lives. Members of the team assist one another in emotional support, prayer support, and accountability throughout each week.
Community Events
- We gather as Manna Congregation for dinner each Friday evening to bring in the Sabbath. This is followed by a service that includes praise and worship and a message.
- On Saturday afternoon we gather for Bible study.
- On Saturday evening we come together for fellowship.
- We often gather for a mid-week Praise and Worship service.
- Everyone meets on the second Wednesday of each month with leaders to discuss community-wide issues.
What This Community Is Not
- It is not a social center. Those who live here have “left the pleasures of the world” behind and focus on truth and healing. It is a life centered on prayer and praise.
- It is not a place to lose one's own responsibility for praying, journaling, and developing self-control. Unlimited contact is not a part of living in a healing community. We do encourage one another, we pray for each other, we stand in the gap when someone cannot pray, and we care. This does not always take place with face-to-face contact in a social setting.
- It is not boundaryless. We encourage our team members to develop healthy boundaries as they heal. Each person in the community is also responsible for developing outside supports for when a team member is not available.
- It is not a place of unlimited contact with leaders. Because of the hours the community leaders spend in ministry and other responsibilities (phone calls, e-mails, website, answering letters, etc.), they are often not available after hours, with the exception of emergencies.
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Jesus, the Messiah. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:1-2