Support Ministries & Groups
For those looking for real help and hope, Brandywine opens its doors to a number of different support groups and ministries, both associated with and not associated with the church. Below you will find info regarding these different ministries and how to register or reach out.
God Step Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
The Alcoholics Anonymous program offers a new way of life without alcohol, a program that is working successfully for millions of men and women throughout the world, and in all walks of life. The experience of AA members is that alcoholism is a progressive illness that cannot be cured, but which, like some other illnesses, can be arrested—by staying away from the first drink, one day at a time. People from all walks of life meet to share their experiences, strength, and hope.
When: Thursdays @ 7:00pm
Where: Brandywine Valley Church – Enter the building through the white doors to the right of the main entrance near the driveway into the property.
Who: Group is open to anyone
Contact: 302-655-5113 (AA hotline for Delaware)
Delmarva Adult & Teen Challenge
This program wants to see men and women set free from life-controlling addiction and pursue lives of purpose, freedom, and joy. They service the Delmarva area with residential programs for both men and women, and have two crisis referral offices.
Where: Women’s Program Campus – Bridgeville, DE; Men’s Program Campus – Seaford, DE
Who: Men & Women ages 18+
Contact: Delmarva Adult & Teen Challenge Offices
English as a Second Language Class (ESL)
Three levels of English classes are offered (childcare is available for infants through 9 years old):
- Beginners: For those who speak little or no English
- Intermediate: For those who know just enough English to “get by”
- Advanced: For those who want to improve their pronunciation and accent to feel more comfortable conversing at work, school and in the community
Financial
Financial Peace University
We all need a plan for our money. Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan! It teaches God’s ways of handling money. Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you’ve dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more!
Your membership includes over 20 hours of additional on-demand content and a free one-on-one coaching session with a Ramsey certifiedfinancialcoach outside of the class. The Ramsey Solutions team has been hard at work and has updated most of the lessons with new speakers and updated content applicable to today’s unique financial times. Are you an FPU alumni that needs a refresher? You can come to the class for free!
When: Tuesdays @ 6:30-8:00pm January 14, 2025 – March 11, 2025
Where: Brandywine Valley Church in Wilmington, Delaware
Who: Adults or families (husband, wife, children). Childcare may be available if requested in advance.
Cost: $99.99. Select “Buy Now” and enter your information. (Workbook can be downloaded and printed with this membership level.)
Register: Visit Dave Ramsey’s site to register. Registration closed Sunday, January 12, 2025.
Men
Broken Beginnings
A ministry of Prison Outreach of Delaware, this Men’s Bible Study gives a “street friendly” introduction to Jesus, where any men, rough background or not, can come. It helps you learn that we are all equally broken, born into sin, and are all in desperate need of Jesus and His redeeming grace. This, then, leads you on a path of discipleship and a new way of life in Christ!
When: Sundays @ 1:00pm
Where: Brandywine Valley Church
Who: All men are welcome to attend
Contact: Call (302) 478-4255 or email Tim Santa Barbara, Broken Beginnings leader and Prison Outreach of Delaware‘s Aftercare Associate
Christian Counselors
Brandywine’s philosophy of counseling is a multi-step approach. Pastors and small groups can often provide counsel but when more in-depth counseling is needed we recommend seeking the help of a professional. Below is a list of Christian counselors with whom we have worked and recommend.
- Cynthia Brown, Professional Counselor, Chadds Ford, PA – (484) 291-1389; brown.cynthia511@gmail.com
- The Peacemaker Center, Kennett Square, PA
- Pike Creek Psychological Center, Newark and Odessa, DE
- Renewed Life Christian Counseling Center, Wilmington and Bear, DE
- Dr. Mitch Ruoff of Pike Creek Counseling, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Wilmington, DE – (302) 898-9229; pikecreekcounseling@gmail.com
- Dr. Barbara Shaffer, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Chadds Ford, PA – (610) 388-2233
- ServingLeaders Ministries Counseling Division, West Chester and Willow Grove, PA
Stephen Ministry
For people who are hurting and need comfort or compassion, Stephen Ministry provides emotional and spiritual support by connecting individuals who are going through significant stress with spiritually-mature Christians who can provide love, comfort, fellowship, and prayer support, based on scriptural principles of non-judgmental care. They offer a listening ear; they do NOT fix the problem, give advice or provide counseling.
Areas of support may include: fractured families; divorce or separation; loss of a spouse or family member; recovery from spiritual abuse or loss of faith; loneliness or feeling disconnected; care-givers under stress; illness; high-risk pregnancy, infertility, or the birth of a child; or transitions to a new stage of life.
Support is conducted on a one-on-one basis and is confidential. Care may include weekly meetings, occasional phone calls or text messages.
To be supported by Stephen Ministry, please complete this form. A Stephen Minister will contact you shortly. Please provide as much detail as possible in order to have the right person contact you.
You will be taken to a third party website (bvbc.ccbchurch.com) that we use for registration and is part of our online community. Your information will be kept confidential and will not be shared with anyone except the Stephen Ministry team.
Questions: Call (302) 478-4255 or email Jane Eareckson-Helm
Women
New Song for Widows
A support group by and for widows at Brandywine. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month for food and fellowship at homes or area restaurants. Widow, unlike fiancée or wife, is not a title you happily choose, but if your husband dies it’s yours none-the-less: for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, rainy days and sunny ones. We’d love to have you join us!
When: Second Wednesday monthly
Where: Location Varies
Who: Widows
Contact: Call (302) 478-4255 or email Charlotte Byrd
WinGS
WinGS (Walking in God’s Spirit) is a support group for parents with special needs children (kids or adult children). This includes any variety of special needs (diagnosed or undiagnosed). The time together is spent seeking guidance from God’s word and praying for each other and our children.
When: The first Thursday of each month @ 6:30-8:00pm.
Where: Downstairs in conference room #20
Who: Moms of children with special needs
Contact: Email Nancy Cordrey or call (610) 368-5400