Church communities are essential partners with Rebirth Homes, and one of the most impactful partnerships that we have had at Rebirth Homes is with the Grove Community Church in Riverside, California. This church has been an important part of the Rebirth Homes support network for so many years.
The Grove Community Church is a nondenominational church aligned with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and the California Southern Baptist Convention, and this community of believers has been serving in Riverside, California for almost a century. Founded in 1925, this church has changed name and location and grown over the decades. The Church’s core values are a strong biblical foundation, outreach, relationships, and teamwork. Each of these is reflected in the way the Grove has partnered with us at Rebirth Homes by supporting us financially and walking alongside us.
Giving is one of the ways church communities support the work we do at Rebirth Homes, and about seven or eight years ago, Rebirth Homes was included at a love offering at the Grove. This financial support came at a key time in our development and helped us launch the programs we offer participants. We have been so grateful The Grove has consistently opened its space for Rebirth Homes—everything from trainings and meetings to a Rebirth Homes open house has been hosted by the Grove. Safe spaces and safe people are so important for our participants’ healing journey, and we are so blessed that the Grove consistently provides this.
The Grove has also journeyed with us. In Debbie’s first meeting with the Grove, Pastors Tom Lance, Daniel Bishop, and Joe Hobbs shared their heart for making a difference in Riverside. In that meeting, Debbie also connected with Shawn Dredla, who would help forge the deep connection between the Grove Counseling Center and Rebirth Homes. Debbie describes the amazing blessing this connection was: “the Grove Counseling Center knew what we were getting into more than we did,” and the amazing counselors at the Grove Counseling Center helped prepare those working with and volunteering with Rebirth Homes to be trauma-informed and equipped to demonstrate God’s love to survivors of human trafficking. The Grove’s Counseling Center has been and continues to be instrumental for offering countless hours of training for Rebirth Homes mentors and volunteers as well as offering individual and group counseling to our participants.
We are so thankful for God’s provision through the Grove Community Church. When the Body of Christ works together, we are able to do amazing things to the glory of our amazing God!
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