Pastoral Care
Hope, Care, and Support for Those in Need
Pastoral Care Rhythms
Caregiver Coffee
An opportunity for those caring for their aging parent(s), spouse, or special needs family member to find community, encouragement, and mutual support.
Widows Ministry
Widows Ministry holds two lunches a year and has care groups that regularly reach out to each widow, checking on them throughout the year.
Widowers Gathering
A group that meets monthly with the intention of building a Christian brotherhood who can support and encourage each other through regular fellowship.
Healing Hearts
A prayer and support group for women impacted by domestic abuse.
Opportunities to Serve
Pastoral Care Partners
We want to care for the elderly in our church who love God and have served Him for many years. Pastoral Care Partners make quarterly visits to members of our church and assist pastors in following up on needs.
Blossom Blessings
This serving opportunity assists in creating mini bouquets from larger arrangements of memorial, funeral, or wedding flowers and deliver them to local nursing homes to bless residents and staff.
Kindness on Call
At times we have church members who call the church office requesting assistance with rides to church or appointments. People on this list assist with this temporary need.
Common Questions
How can I ask for prayer?
You can submit a prayer request anytime using our online form, by calling the church office, or by speaking with a member of our Pastoral Care team on Sundays. Your request will be shared with pastors and prayer teams who will pray for you throughout the week.
Can someone come to a hospital or healthcare facility for a visit?
Yes. Our pastors and trained care volunteers are available to visit members in the hospital, healthcare facility, or during recovery at home. Contact the church office or submit a care request, and we will schedule a visit as soon as possible.
Can someone help me with funeral arrangements?
We are here to walk alongside you during times of loss. Our Pastoral Care team can help plan services, coordinate with funeral homes, and provide comfort and prayer for your family. Reach out to the church office and a pastor will follow up right away.
Is counseling available?
Counseling is available by appointment only. We can also refer to local vetted Christian counselors.
The Pastoral Care Team
Pastor Cade H. Farris is a native of northwest Alabama. He was raised in a strong Christian home and became a follower of Jesus when he was nine years old. As a freshman at the University of North Alabama (UNA), Cade answered God’s call to vocational ministry. At that time in Baptist Campus Ministries, he also met and later married his college sweetheart Jennifer in 1999. They have three children: Lauren, Carson, and Andrew. Cade has a music degree from UNA and received his Master of Divinity in Theology from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. In college and seminary, Cade was a minister of music at Baptist churches in Alabama and Indiana. Cade joined the staff at FBCO for the first time from 2004-2011 as the minister to college and singles for two years and then as the minister to adults for five years. He left FBCO to serve as the lead pastor at First Baptist Church of Wedowee from 2011-2015. Before returning to the staff at FBCO in August of 2022, Cade was the senior pastor at First Baptist Church on the Square in LaGrange from 2015-2022. Cade enjoys spending time with his family, praying with and ministering to others, singing, preaching, playing the guitar, exercising, playing Rook, watching Alabama Crimson Tide football and Atlanta Braves baseball, and all things Star Wars.
Kadin joined the staff at First Baptist Opelika after previously serving in the church’s student and college ministries. He holds a degree in Finance from Auburn University and a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before coming on staff full-time, Kadin worked with the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission in Nashville, serving in the Office of the President and supporting the team’s work at the intersection of faith, policy, and public life. He loves helping people move from simply attending to truly belonging—seeing the body of Christ come alive through connection and community.
Originally from Chelsea, Kadin enjoys cooking, hunting, fishing, reading, and spending time with family and friends. His favorite mornings start with a good cup of coffee in a rocking chair and end around a table filled with people and stories.
Joanne joined First Baptist Opelika in 2024 as the Assistant to Pastoral Care. She enjoys supporting those in need of pastoral care and finding ways to serve the church family through practical acts of kindness. Born and raised in Australia, Joanne graduated from the University of Melbourne. She and her husband, Terry, a retired U.S. Navy Chaplain, ministered to Sailors, Marines, and their families for over 30 years while raising three children.
The Gordons settled in Opelika after turning 14 houses into homes around the world. In her free time, Joanne loves baking, reading Christian fiction and Australian novels, and hosting a Missional Community group in their home.
Need to Contact Our Pastoral Care Team?
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