Todd Forrest

About Todd:

Pastor of Family Community Church of the Nazarene in Hammond.

Bachelor's degree in theology from Olivet Nazarene University.

Master's degree in religion from Southern Nazarene University.

Ordained in 1993.

He and his wife, the Rev. Raquel Forrest, live in Hammond and have three children.

Accomplishments: The Rev. Todd Forrest co-pastors Family Community Church of the Nazarene. The congregation has been meeting for Bible study since January and will celebrate their first worship service at 11 a.m. tomorrow, Easter Sunday. Today an Easter Fiesta celebration, a blending of Hispanic and Angelo traditions, is being held from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the church, 820 171st St. Forrest will share pastoral duties with his wife. Their vision for the church goes back to basics. "We want to be a traditional family neighborhood church where people know each other and support one another," he said. Worship will be family-oriented and include the children. "We want them to participate, not just be a spectator," he said. His long-term goal is for the church to become a thriving community of believers who are giving back to the community. The church shares the building with Our Family Center, a compassionate ministry started by the Forrests almost four years ago. It operates separately,

offering after-school programs for children three times a week and summer day camp five days a week all summer long. Forrest is excited about the possibilities of growth for the new assembly. "We hope to make this a church that reaches a new generation in a new century," he added.

Why I minister to others: "Mainly because God has called me. It means if I didn't do this I would be a very unhappy person. I have to obey God and what He wants me to do."

What I read: "The Bible, and one of my favorites is ‘Mere Christianity' by C.F. Lewis."

Advice: "Let your first thought be love."

What inspires me: "When I see the needs of people, the hurts of people, that inspires me to try and make a difference."

People might be surprised to know: "I met my wife in Guatemala Central. I was a youth pastor who took a group there to build a church building and she was one of my translators."

- SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate someone for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com