What people
say...
Veronica: It's lovely that Fresh Start is expanding. Joining 'Cheer' aka Fresh Start Ministry happened at the right moment in time. This was especially coming from a point of brokenness. My family and I have been blessed beyond measure to the point that I feel I need to give something back. The constant support has been overwhelming and has stretched beyond to my family. Fresh Start has helped me many times out of sticky situations, financially, emotionally and physically. I believe groups like this are very beneficial to single parents who struggle mentally and it is open to all parents, not just Christians. However, the added bonus is spending time and fellowship with like minded Christians. I personally could not manage alone during those dark periods.
Alison: Hello everyone I'm an old girl in Fresh Start. I joined quite a few years ago when I was in a dark place in a very abusive marriage, not physically, but psychologically emotionally and sadly to say sexually. I separated from my husband and was introduced to Caroline and her awesome, caring, supportive and compassionate team. Through the ministry and wonderful meetings, I became stronger and identified my worth as a woman and single mother. I will never forget the love shown to me by Fresh Start.
Sharon: Well I can say a lot In being a member of Fresh Start I would like to give a short testimony on how Me and my family have been blessed by this ministry. Firstly please understand I came from a background of no discipline at all so my foundations of parenting where very much on the house that was built with sand… and through the continuous love and support along with the biblical teaching from Fresh Start my house now built with stones standing strong, I have been empowered to discipline love and listen to my children as well as forgive and love myself… I now love standing up and saying I’m a parent who parents alone with Jesus..My confidence in who I am has grown so much over the years and when we gather with other parents I have revived breakthrough especially from rejection and anger which was rooted in fear.. Fresh start helped me see that I am enough for my children and for myself well I have went onto now pass on all of the teachings that I have learnt and applied to my life onto others which is such a joy and as I look back teachings on boundaries, discipline, money management, forgiveness grace I could go on has enriched my household. I am not the same person I don’t carry the stigma of single parents at all I work manage my household set goals and plans… the vision board has helped me a lot… the love and encouraging word from both Caroline and Clive has been amazing and still they continue to bless me love me and accept me for who I am where I am wow anyone who attends and joins with Fresh Start God bless you just know that your life will never be the same, you know angels walk amongst us well the founders of fresh start are those angels..
Claudine: It was only when I turned up at Ashburnham, that I realised Fresh Start was part of New Life Bible Church, although on the emails Caroline sent me they did have the New Life Bible Church logo (I was probably just so delighted that I didn’t even pay attention). By the time the retreat came around I was emotionally and mentally tired with life. I was definitely losing grip of who I was and, more importantly, of who God says I am. I said to myself “Claudine, I don’t know what you’re here for, but you're going to be open, so you don’t leave without it". The retreat was amazing, every single talk spoke to me directly. During our times of worship, I was at peace and the Holy Spirit spoke directly to me during these times, reassuring me, comforting me and filling me with His love. The retreat was only a weekend, but it felt like a week. The Holy Spirit showed up and showed off. Jesus didn't waste any time, I felt myself coming back to life again during every session. My son has also been transformed, I’m not allowed to call my son 'little Shaunie' anymore, he has grown. By being around boys of a similar age to him, Shaun feels affirmed as a strong boy/child of God. We have both been renewed and are moving forward with what God has for us.The fellowship was equally amazing, everyone was extremely welcoming. I started off knowing no-one and left knowing I had a new family at Fresh Start. My son was happy and safe and everyone treated him as though he was their own. Thank you Fresh Start. I felt like I was in a good place spiritually and emotionally, however I was worried about becoming stressed and overcome by anxiety. The school summer holidays had only began, like most single parents, I was juggling work, the extra expenses of summer childcare and trying to find time to have fun with my children and actually enjoy being a parent. I lay on my sofa and said something around the lines of “Lord, daddy, I need a break! I’d love to go on a retreat; but I haven’t got anyone to look after Shaun (my 8 year old son)”. Less than a week later, I was on WhatsApp and a picture popped up in one of the groups I’m in, it was a poster adverting a retreat for single parents. I was sooo excited, thank you Jesus, this is exactly what I was looking for. I knew straightaway that I wanted to go, but thoughts entered my mind that it would be too good to be true and all the spaces would have been taken. I was so desperate to attend; I wasted no time in ringing Caroline. I told Caroline that I saw the ad for the retreat and asked if any spaces were left, there was and I booked up straightaway. I had no clear idea who the organisers were, only that it was something to do with Care for the Family. I had no idea where Ashburnham was or how I was going to get there. I also had no Idea of what the teaching was going to be on; all I knew is that I was going; I had something to look forward to.
If it hasn't been the lord who was on my side let Israel say( psalm 124 )this is my testimony I was introduced to fresh start by my pastor Yaw five years ago. I was then going through my divorce, I was lost shuttered ,broken and confused. By the Grace and mercies of God , Pastor Caroline took me through the word of God natured me, rooted me to have faith in the almighty because He's the lord God of all flesh and there is nothing too hard for him(Jeremiah 32:27). God has settled my family and I with a beautiful home , I got my full driving license , my kids are doing brilliantly at school and we now have peace and comfort .. God bless Pastor Caroline for her time, advice , encouragement and prayers . God bless fresh starts team for the wonderful work you're doing for the woman.
I found out about Fresh Start in 2018 through my spiritual father Pastor Rick Johnston. At the time there was a single parent in my church that I was struggling to help so Pastor Rick recommended Fresh Start to me.The first meeting that I attended with the single parent, Pastor Caroline warmly received us and she personally continued to support the parent.Since then, I have always made it a plan to attend with my wife. Although I am not single, the meetings have been extremely helpful to us. The ministry that Pastor Caroline is doing is so important and such work is not only limited to Pastors as such, I encourage all local church Pastors to introduce this programme in their churches which will be valuable to all members.If any local church wants to establish Fresh Start in their church I strongly recommend Pastor Caroline to them so that she can support you through the process. If however, you believe you do not yet have enough grace to establish this in your church I still strongly encourage you to join their meetings and use it as an opportunity to learn new things which will bless you.A recent meeting I joined spoke about health and I have strongly benefitted from the information that was provided. God bless you Pastor Caroline.From Pastor Yaw.
On January 2017 my family, ex husband and 2 children were evicted from our home. The council gave as a place at the shelter to stay till they get us some where permanent. It took a while and whilst there on the 20th of May 2017. My ex husband went to work and didn’t come back. He’s walked out on my children and I. My daughter was 16 and writing her GCSE exams, my son just 12 years old. Things became really tough from then on and I was really struggling to pay for everything including the shelter. So unable to pay for the shelter, they issued us an eviction notice. In my desperation I called Pastor Rick, and that’s when things started to change for the better. Pastor sent Caroline to see me. She organised for the Church to send us some funds and help pay a deposit to the flat that she managed to find us. I had been looking for some where for us to move to for months. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. In the darkest time of our lives, with no where or no one to turn to. In my cry, screams for help. He did answer, became my refuge in times of help. That’s what, pastor Rick and Caroline are to my children and I and more. We’re still living in the property even now. My daughter is 23 years old now and is doing her masters at law and my son is 19 years old and is in second year at university studying engineering. When the Bible say God is good and faithful I’ll surely say He truly is because we have and continually are leaving through his goodness and faithfulness. With every appreciation, gratitude and immeasurable thankfulness. Anne-Marie and her Children.🙏