POCATELLO - On Sundays, the Krause family attends church with hundreds of other members of Gate City Christian Church.

But it's on Thursday evenings, in the comfort of home, that they really get the chance to feel closer to God and their peers.

"This is the church, really," John Krause says, motioning to the seven other people in his living room. "This is where you get to know people. This is where friendships are developed."

Krause and his wife, Angela, have led their small group of fellow worshippers for about nine months, although they have led other similar groups several times in the past.

The group, one of several sponsored by Gate City Christian Church, is called a CARE group, and it is a place where like-minded people can study the bible, talk and build community, pastor John Robinson says.

The CARE group concept is a major part of the congregation at Gate City Christian Church, Robinson said. Beginning in kindergarten Sunday school, children are part of small groups where they can learn and share.

For the teens, there are small groups as well.

About 50 percent of the congregation is involved in a CARE group, Robinson said. The goal is to have 100 percent involvement, he said.

"We kind of build it from the ground up," he said.

In the adult groups, church members meet in a fellow group member's home, and have a Bible study and discussion.

Groups include between 6 and 10 people - when the group gets too large, another group is formed from the current one.

At the Krause house, there are always snacks and a few jokes. For birthdays, Angela bakes a cake.

The group also got together to play volleyball over the summer. The group is a good way to meet fellow church members with similar interests.

"It's hard to get to know someone in service," Angela says.

Along with the friendships, the CARE group is a place to turn when someone needs help.

Todd Craft, a member of the group, helped the Krauses frame a shed. Others help families when someone is moving, sick, or needs a hand.

Group members are there when there is financial difficulty, or there is a simple family need.

If a need is too great for a CARE group to handle, the group leader passes the information on to the church congregation, which can often help.

"If there is a need, this is the first place to start," John says. "We do things whenever people need them."

They are also there for spiritual help. CARE groups offer a confidential, safe place to discuss problems, and to come up with answers.

"We can solve problems here," Craft says.