Forestdale Community Church

Envision a church not confined by its four walls. Forestdale Community Church extends its reach far beyond its Malden location. Its story begins not with bricks and mortar, but with a spirit of service. Forestdale Community Church, a beacon of hope and action, has woven its mission into the fabric of both its local community and the wider world. In 1999, facing the constraints of a modest building, Forestdale Community Church made a bold decision. Instead of expanding, they embraced the concept of church planting. They sent their youth leader and 25 members to establish Seven Mile Road. This new church blossomed on the other side of the city, finding a home at Malden High School. Forestdale Community Church’s influence didn’t stop there. They helped plant a Vietnamese Church in Malden, and Seven Mile Road continued the ripple effect, planting churches in Philadelphia, Melrose, and Wakefield. This spirit of multiplication reflects a core value: spreading faith through action, not just expansion. The church’s global mission has its roots in its first pastor, Ralph E. Dodge. Dodge’s missionary work in East Africa imprinted a global vision on Forestdale Community Church, a vision that continues to resonate. Today, the church supports missionaries across the globe, from Haiti to Indonesia, from France to Papua New Guinea. Their efforts encompass diverse areas, including evangelism, church planting, and disaster relief. Closer to home, Forestdale Community Church actively serves the Greater Malden area. They support the Malden Warming Center, a vital refuge for the homeless during harsh winter nights. Operation Christmas Child, spearheaded by Lorraine Everitt, brightens the lives of children worldwide with shoeboxes filled with gifts. Forestdale Community Church’s community engagement doesn’t end there. They partner with the Bread of Life Ministry, addressing hunger and homelessness in Malden and surrounding areas. They organize short-term mission trips for teenagers and adults, providing firsthand experience of service in places like Haiti and the Philippines. Each summer, the church bursts with the energy of 80-100 children attending Vacation Bible School, a testament to their commitment to nurturing young hearts. Forestdale Community Church embodies a living testament to faith in action, a church that radiates outward, transforming lives near and far. It is a story of multiplication, of global outreach, and of a deep-rooted commitment to serving the community. It’s a story that invites you to be a part of something larger than yourself.