Thirty years of service as a foundation — and a bold new chapter beginning now.
For more than 30 years, Forrest Memorial Christian Center has quietly and consistently served the families, seniors, and youth of East Contra Costa County. Through Forrest Fire Ministries, our Service of Helps, and countless community events — we have been here. Showing up. Giving out. Praying through. And doing the work.
Today, we are proud to announce that this work is growing.
The Brightest Light Initiative is the formal expansion of Forrest Memorial’s community service work — bringing together everything we have built over three decades into a coordinated, year-round program that serves approximately 400 children, families, seniors, and individuals annually throughout Pittsburg, Bay Point, and Antioch.
Through monthly Bright Days events, participants will have access to:
- Groceries, household essentials, and hygiene products
- Financial literacy, employment readiness, and life-skills workshops
- Community resource navigation — connecting families to housing, health, employment, and educational support
- Youth leadership development through our volunteer corps of 20 young people
- Emergency and hardship assistance for families in unexpected crisis
The city of Pittsburg has grown significantly — from under 57,000 residents in 2000 to more than 75,000 today. The communities of Bay Point and Antioch have grown alongside it. As this region grows, so do the needs of its families. And Forrest Memorial is committed to growing with it.
What is new about the Brightest Light Initiative is the scale of our partnerships. We are expanding beyond the walls of our church and joining hands with local churches, nonprofits, businesses, and schools to reach more people than ever before. Our partnership with Eikon Church — which began with a joint holiday event that added household essentials to our annual toy drive and received an overwhelmingly positive response — is just the beginning of what we are building together.
| 400+ Residents served annually | 12 Monthly Bright Days events | 5+ Community partners |
Because the need is now. More than 60 percent of renters in Pittsburg are cost-burdened. More than 1 in 5 Californians face food insecurity. Families in our community are navigating rising costs, layoffs, and the ongoing effects of economic instability — often with little support.
Forrest Memorial has never waited for a perfect moment to serve. We have simply served. And today, with stronger partnerships, greater community support, and a renewed commitment to this region, we are ready to do more than we have ever done before.
This is not just a program announcement. It is a declaration of who we are and what we believe: that every family in Pittsburg, Bay Point, and Antioch deserves consistent, dignified access to the resources they need to thrive.
“As this community grows, we are committed to growing with our community.”
— Elder Billy L. Forrest II, Pastor