BECOME & BELONG • LIFE GROUPS • WOMEN • MEN • PRIME TIMERS • EXPEDITION BIBLE
EQUIPPING A BIBLICALLY INFORMED COMMUNITY • LEADERSHIP TOOLS • EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Our spiritual growth is contingent on the consistent and purposeful application of truth. The ministries you will find listed on this page offer resources for those pursuing spiritual health.

Pursue a deeper life of union with God.

Prayer is simply the medium through which we communicate and commune with God. The practice of prayer is learning to set aside dedicated time to intentionally be with God in order to become like him and partner with him in the world.

This 4 week class is geared toward answering some of our hard questions about prayer.  We will practice some different aspects of prayer together and try a few new ways to pray.  This is a video series done by John Mark Comer. 

Everyone is welcome. There is a $15 registration fee for the class (material will be provided) and childcare available for $25 for the four weeks of class.

We will meet on Wednesday evenings February 7, 14, 21, & 28 from 6:30—8pm.

Email Elizabeth Baehr. if you have questions.

LIFE GROUPS

“Life change happens in circles, not rows.” -Andy Stanley

Are you ready to connect with others at Woodcrest beyond the weekend service? Join a Life Group! Woodcrest has multiple life groups that meet around Woodcrest and around the city. We have groups that consist of women, men, married and singles. Let us know a little about yourself and we will match you with a group.

Life Groups meet at various times and locations. If you are interested in joining or hosting a Life Group contact Elizabeth Baehr or fill out the Life Group Request Form. 

If you have questions, please contact Elizabeth Baehr.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

Women's Ministry at Woodcrest is open to any woman, regardless of background, spiritual walk, or home church.

For more information contact Elizabeth Baehr.

Men’s Ministry

COMPASS is a gathering of Christian men who are serious about authenticity, community, humility, spiritual transformation, and redemption. Our purpose during this gathering is to talk and encourage one another in our common journey. Each week a transformational question or topic is presented for discussion. Responding to this prompt, men are encouraged to share honestly, out of our own personal experience, without defense, our personal challenges, worries, failures, and triumphs over those things with which we struggle. COMPASS offers a safe space where you can show up as your authentic self and speak with vulnerability about your relationships with God and others.

COMPASS meets year round on Wednesdays at 6:30pm.

Please contact Hartley Wright or Eric Geyer for more information.

Community Helps!

We need men with and without skills to support members of the Woodcrest community and the Columbia community at large. We get regular requests for things like small construction projects, help moving a dresser, fixing a leaky faucet, etc. Would you help? Please contact Masood Heidari.

prime timers

This group of 55+ adults will gather monthly for the purpose of building community and connection. We will do a variety of activities from serving the community to just having fun.  Dates and times will vary.  Register below to receive information regarding monthly gatherings.

For more information contact Marilee Bomar.

EXPEDITION BIBLE

It is easier to see where God is leading you when you know where God has been.

Join us this semester in Expedition Bible where we can take a deeper dive into the Bible together! Whether you know a lot about the Bible or are new on your journey, we are excited to take this adventure together and explore God’s plan of hope for all, not just some! No registration needed.

Expedition Bible meets Sunday mornings at 8:30 in Room 14 • January 7—May 19, 2024.

Questions? Contact Elizabeth Baehr.  

Equipping a Biblically Informed Community

Equipping a Biblically Informed Community is a group that is open to everyone. It gathers on the third Sunday from 11:30am—12:30pm, in The Studio to promote community among those who want to engage in studying and sharing the Bible. This is a place where we are free to ask questions, receive feedback, and share biblical knowledge and resources, for the purpose of becoming more biblically informed, so that we can share Bible truth with those we care about. It is a place where we can learn how to engage people in group settings and toss around ideas for new platforms for sharing the Bible.

Questions? Contact Elizabeth Baehr.  

Leadership Tools

Are you curious about what it takes to facilitate a small group at Woodcrest? Or maybe it’s been a while since you’ve done so, and you just need a refresher on how and why we have small groups. We have the class for that! This class is designed to equip and encourage those who may want to explore facilitating a class. We will help you fill that tool belt with tools needed to lead or participate in a healthy & safe small group experience.

If you are interested in taking this class or have questions, contact Elizabeth Baehr.

THRIVE • PRISON

God cares deeply for each of us, and when we hurt, He hurts.
The ministries you will find listed on this page offer help to those who are hurting.

THRIVE

Thrive Ministry at Woodcrest exists to help everyone understand and learn how to be emotionally healthy. Whether you are hurting and longing to find hope and healing in Christ, struggling with addictive behaviors that keep you from relating fully with God and each other, or just looking to understand more about emotional intelligence, Thrive is for you!

Thrive meets Thursday Evenings from 6:30—8:30pm, February 15—April 25, 2024.

Questions? Contact Kelly Wright

Woodcrest Thrive Spring 2024 Class Lineup

Life Skills (coed) – This class will help you understand some of the regular and recurring emotional issues of life that get in the way of you experiencing all that God intends you to be. This course is designed to bring some helpful perspective and added resources to the art of living skillfully. The course topics cover a variety of subjects ranging from understanding the impact of our past on our present to successfully navigating the trials and reaping the rewards of doing relationship well. Led by Masood Heidari, Table Leader – Carolyn Roof

Women’s Making Peace with Your Past – In this eight-week course, you will identify the ways your past currently affects you today and work to develop hope and healing. This course provides practical guidance to identify and understand feelings and problems related to your childhood experiences. Women’s Class led by Faye Heidari and Debi Cartwright

Sins of the Family (coed) – In Sins of the Family, we will discover 8 practices to help us overcome a painful past and create a legacy of joy for the future. Beverly Hubble Tauke identifies some of the most common and hurtful family relationship habits. Join Cynthia Diaz and Maria Ayala in exploring how to put an end to cycles of negativity, and change family patterns.

Women’s Grief Share - The healing process after the death of a loved one is filled with many twists and turns. This group that helps navigate the painful emotions of loss with others and is led by Lauren Helmreich.

Divorce Care (coed) – Divorce Care is a video-based support group program where people in a separation or divorce find understanding and care as they process the pain of a marriage breakup and navigate the emotions, avoid more hurt, and know they are not alone. Led by Jan Palmer

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care is available for all type of our life occurrences. Marriages, parenting, relationships at home, work, family, etc. We desire and welcome meeting you to hear how life happenings can seem out of control and sharing these struggles or challenges can bring breath to your life.  Please know that we care and are available to meet you along your life journey.  Hope to hear from you soon.

WOODCREST PRISON MINISTRY

The ministry strives to carry the message of God’s love to those impacted by incarceration through the ministry of presence and encouragement.

Prison ministry may seem intimidating at a glance, and while most volunteers find the experience fulfilling, it is important to recognize the logistic, environmental and social challenges of entering the world of a prison. In short, it is a different world.

Although we welcome all to discover ways to support the ministry, we find that serving inside the walls of Algoa Correctional Center (ACC) is best suited for individuals with solid interpersonal skills and a healthy sense of personal boundaries.

Those expressing interest in volunteering with the ministries that take place inside ACC are first introduced to the process through a visit to the Woodcrest Algoa chapel service. This is a great way to determine someone’s comfort level with entering Algoa and interacting with the men. After the first successful visit, regular volunteer opportunities abound for those that wish to continue visiting ACC up to five times per year.

Please contact Pat Concannon for more information.

Prison Family Support Group

We host a support group for families on the last Sunday of every month. This group is currently not meeting due to the pandemic. Please contact Pat Concannon for more information.