MISSION
To help people find and follow Jesus
VISION
To be a church community that unchurched people love to be part of
ABOUT US
The Forge Community Church is a church in Suffolk with a mission to help people find and follow Jesus. The Forge meet physically in Debenham Community Center and have environments for adults kids and youth. We also offer church online so you can connect with the Forge anywhere, anytime, not just those in Mid Suffolk.
Approximately 8,000 mouths fed through our Christmas Hamper scheme
Baptisms since the Forge was formed 30 years ago
£23,500 given through hardship fund to residents of Mid-Suffolk in 2022.
OUR STORY
The Forge Community Church has grown from humble beginnings, let us take you on a journey all the way back to 1992 and fill you in on the story to date:
1992
The start of the church! We began by meeting in Mendlesham Community Centre in November. Thirty people attended, including six visitors!
1993
In August 1993 we ran our first holiday club. We recognised the need to connect with local families and provide a useful resource.
1995
We love helping people find (and follow) Jesus, and so in January 1995 we ran our first Alpha Course for those who wanted to explore faith.
1998
In March 1998 launched our first global partnership in Croatia with Sirac Baptist Church, running holiday clubs for young people
2001
Our church had grown rapidly and so, in order to fit everyone in, we began holding two services every Sunday morning from April 2001
2005
Despite mulitplying our morning services, we were still tight for space – and so in September 2005 moved to Debenham Leisure Centre
2007
In March 2007 we expanded our international reach when we launched our global partnership with Open Doors Ministry in Denver, USA
2008
In March 2008 our number of global partners rose to three as once again we added another connection with ‘Hands at Work’ in Zambia.
2008
We’d been meeting in Debenham for over three years, and so changed name from Mendlesham Christian Fellowship to ‘The Forge Community Church’.
2013
In 2013 we added another global partner to our worldwide connections when we formally linked with ‘Street Kids Direct’ in Guatemala.
2014
At Easter in 2014 the Forge became a multisite church when we launched our second location in the village of Thurston
2017
At Easter in 2017 the Forge expanded once again to add our third site. A brand new location was created in the market town of Eye.
2020
COVID-19 means we have to stop meeting physically in Debenham, Eye and Thurston and move church online.
2021
We’re finally able to gather physically again, but make the tough call to only reopen at Debenham.
2021
Forge Youth begin meeting as “Motion” in they’re own enviroment at Stonham Baptist church.
2022
The Forge turns 30! we celebrate with a community fayre at Debenham Community Center with fun for all the family.