Conduit Family,
It’s a stormy time in our country but we serve a God who calms stormy seas.

Like you I’ve spent an enormous amount of time trying to read, learn and understand what’s happening in the coronavirus pandemic as well as the financial situation in our country. And in the words of the great poet Don Henley, “the more I know, the less I understand.”.

But I felt the Lord reminding me last night, “Darren did I ever promise you a peace that comes from understanding?  I promised you a peace that surpasses understanding.” That’s the peace that I am feeling this morning. I pray it’s yours as well.

MEETING
This week the Centers for Disease Control updated their recommendation to cancel any gatherings of more than 50 people for the next 8 weeks, with a new recommendation of no gatherings of more than 10 people. As we have said before, we are going to follow the guidelines being given out by government officials. This means that beginning this Sunday we will be moving 100% of our Sunday service online, 10am.

Our staff is working on what that could look like for us in the coming weeks and months. We are also dreaming about how we can create tactical small teams to be on the ready to help those in our community who are affected, to make sure our older/ isolated/ in-need members of the community are cared for.

Please keep your eyes posted in this group and be looking for church email. It’s our hope to over-communicate during this season. We might be physically scattered, but let’s commit to staying connected.

MISSION
We exist to be conduits of Jesus to the community in front us and to the world around us. We have the opportunity in front of us to lock arms together, and literally be the church together. At a time when the world is asking us to isolate physically, the body of Christ has an opportunity to unite spiritually.

When Paul was immobilized he wrote two-thirds of the New Testament. When persecution hit the early church and “scattered them” the Lord used it to unify them. What the enemy meant for harm, God used for good. Those who were scattered and made disciples in places like Ethiopia that are impacting the world even today.

The mission Jesus gave us doesn’t change in times of crisis, it enhances it.

MOBILIZATION
Please keep your eyes glued to our social media platforms. We will be mobilizing as needs become known and they will likely be time sensitive.

AWARENESS: As this season unfolds, we’re going to start seeing needs. Even in our own church family. You are our eyes and ears in our local community. If you hear, or if you are someone, who needs help specifically can you let us know.
PREPAREDNESS: We need to be financed adequately. If you’re not someone who is set up for online giving, can you prayerfully consider doing that now?
PRAYERFUL: We’ve already seen this happening organically online. Prayer  praying with each other, for each other.

History has proven over and again that the local church is the hope of the world. During times of crisis the church rises up in unity. As Conduits, it’s my desire that we are the tip of the spear in this coming season.

Grace and Peace to you.
-Darren