Dear Impact Family,
It’s been quite a week! I’d like to take a few minutes of your time to update you on what’s happening as we navigate the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in this part of the world, which we call home.
First of all, I want to say how proud I am of this church family. The faith, unity and hope you continue to show are second to none. As we continue to study the first century church in Rome we are being given the best opportunity to live out the Word and allow our faith to become famous in this region. This is not a time for panic, but a time to be repositioned in faith and share our hope.
As you know, Governor Murphy has recommended that organizations suspend gatherings with over 250 people to help control the spread of COVID-19. We care about your spiritual and physical health, so we will move our services to an online-only offering for the next two weeks.
We have always dreamed about how an online campus could help more people hear the Good News of Jesus and take the next step in their faith. What we didn’t know then was that God was preparing us for this moment when we would be called on to adapt how we do church together, meeting the needs of our community and reaching the hearts of our neighbors. So, here’s what’s coming next.
Online-Only Sunday Services
This Sunday, March 15th, our services will be held online only. Service times will remain the same at 8:30am and 10:30am. Our hope is to gather together at our South Plainfield campus as soon as possible, but in the meantime, we will continue to learn and grow by worshipping in our homes with friends and family. Remember, the church in Rome grew their faith in their homes. They had no public place to worship and no technology to keep them assembled. We have greater, so I fully expect our faith will be made famous in this season.
Since this is a “soft-launch”, tomorrow’s service will feature a Word from the Lord that I have for you and a time for us to connect through prayer. Then, on Sunday, March 22nd we will broadcast a full service including which will include worship.
To watch the livestream on our website, church4impact.churchonline.org.
Mid-Week Programs
Since our midweek programs traditionally follow local school district schedules, we are suspending all on-campus ministries for the next two weeks. We will evaluate this decision week to week as the situation around the outbreak continues to unfold. In the meantime, we will be providing alternative ways for you to grow closer to God and learn more about Him.
5 Ways You Can Help:
1. Post - Use social media in a good way to post things that return people to hope. Avoid reposting and texting articles that might lead people to panic and worry. Click here for a helpful guide about ministering during a crisis put together by our Presiding Bishop, Kenneth Ulmer.
2. Pray – Pray for those impacted by the virus, as well as their families and loved ones. Now, more than ever, you need to join our Wednesday Night Prayer Call at 7pm, to connect with family and friends and receive a prayer of hope and deliverance. You can do so by dialing (712) 775-7035 and using the access code 827217#
3. Give – Even though we’re not gathering in-person for church, you still have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others by giving your tithes and offerings through our giving page. Thanks in advance for practicing radical generosity.
4. Serve – We’ve been praying and thinking about ways we can be there for our neighbors during this outbreak. In the coming weeks, we’re looking to minister to frontline healthcare professionals at local hospitals, and seniors without resources. We will send specific details about these community outreach projects at a later date.
5. Be Wise - I know we walk in faith, but remember that biblical faith and wisdom never conflict. The opposite of panic is prudence. Therefore, please honor public health guidelines at work, home, and church. The state has posted guidelines to help identify if you or any of your family members are symptomatic of coronavirus . You should contact the state call center at 1-800-222-1222 or, if in NJ but using a non-NJ cell phone, at 1-800-962-1253. The call center is available 24/7 and can accommodate calls in multiple languages.
Questions or concerns?
If you’d like to share your thoughts, concerns, questions, and ideas with us as we navigate our response to this situation, we’d love to hear from you. Your input and feedback are truly important to us. Please email info@church4impact.com with any questions or comments.
Final Thoughts
Even though our world has changed, the power of God has not changed. The truth of Scripture has not changed. The hope of Jesus has not changed. Our mission as a church has not changed. Let us not give in to fear.
While we cannot control the virus, the spread, or the impact it has in our church, we’re doing everything we can to make our campus as safe and clean as possible. We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to help us do just that. We must also remember that God has not called us to live in fear, but in faith. As the Apostle, Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Spirit of God does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” My prayer is that God will fill all of us with these three gifts, no matter what comes our way.
In Christ,
Bishop De’Andre Salter