Happy Easter Family,
This is the day the Lord has made; we shall rejoice and be glad in it! I'm so thankful for being able to have Church 2.0 online, but I do miss our gatherings. For me, it's the little things my heart yearns for, like hanging around in the lobby greeting each other, and the warmth and hospitality of our house. I want to encourage you to show up online in small groups as your schedule permits because just seeing your face ministers to us all.
A VERY CHALLENGING WEEK
Last week was a challenging one. Our care team led by pastors Dan and Graham, have been conducting wellness calls, it's clear that by this point we have all been challenged by this pandemic. We have church members who have been or are infected by the coronavirus, who have close family or friends experiencing the same, and some have lost family and friends.
Also, Rita Reeves, our dear sister, went home to be with the Lord. She died of natural causes. Rita was a long-time and faithful member of Impact. She joined under my mother, Emma Salter, and was one of the few who followed us on our journey from Newark to South Plainfield. You might know her, but if she was in service, you undoubtedly heard her scream out, "say, so Pastor" when I was preaching. Lady Terri and Rita had an extraordinary bond, and we will miss her dearly. We will let you know any service or memorial details when we can, but please keep her family in prayer.
YET WE HAVE VICTORY AND GOOD NEWS!
Despite the challenges, I'm most encouraged by your faith and strength. While we have mourned, cried, and suffered some, each one of you has declared your love for God and continue to trust in His power.
We continue to break through to new levels in our online service attendance. Today’s attendance at 8:30 service was 1,840 people and 3,727 people at 10:30. Total attendance was 5,429 people from 6 different countries and 25 states. Thank You God!!!!
Also, our prayer call center is reaching people where and when they need it most.
Please do me a favor, this week let your friends know they can get prayer, Monday-Friday from 8a – 8p by calling 1-877-380-9478.
IMPACT STIMULUS PLAN
There is good news that I want you to know before the world hears about it. Yesterday, we took the next step in our small business stimulus plan and have provided a cash stimulus of over $10,000 directly to many small business owners who are members of our church. They must survive this crisis. Many of them are salon owners, truckers, consultants, and others who have been significantly impacted by this pandemic. As far as I know, we are the only church in America who have done a stimulus plan like this, and we aim to make it public to raise more funds for other small business owners and to hopefully set an example for other churches to do the same. You'll see the press release next week and even have an opportunity to donate via our website. We are also launching a business directory within the next couple of weeks so we can better support christian businesses. If you are a small business owner you need to join the ICBF there are some exciting things happening.
CARE TEAM: PROJECT MASK
We are also working on Project Mask, an ad hoc initiative run by volunteers of our church who are making over 500 reusable masks. These masks will be properly sterilized and packaged by Dr. Salter-Lewis, and we will send at least one to each household on record with maintenance instructions. All remaining masks will be given to communities that need them most.
We could not be able to do any of this without your faithful generosity. Thank you for trusting God with your financial resources and for continuing to sow into this good ground.
YOUR CONNECTION POINTS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 12TH:
iKids Zoom Party Today - 1:00pm
MONDAY-FRIDAY
30-Day Prayer Focus – Daily stay aligned with what God is doing in our house and use these to bring your family together. Terri and I gather our whole family every night to read the focus and pray together. We hope you’ll do the same. Click here for the focus.
7am Daily Prayer Call – You need to pray more, so drag yourself out of bed and join us for prayer! One Wednesdays we are also praying at 12pm and 6pm.
Hope Today Daily Devotional – Check in with my Facebook [click here] page every day for a devotional based on our 30-day prayer focus. Like and share – people will be thankful for daily good news.
THURSDAY, APRIL 16TH
Small Groups- 7:00pm
Webinar: Parenting Plus Homeschooling Can Be FUN!
8:00PM
CLICK HERE TO ATTEND
FRIDAY, APRIL 17TH
Zoom Q&A w/ Bishop Salter & Terry Outlaw -12:30pm
What To Do With Your Stimulus Check
Impact Teens Meetup w/ Tyanna LeGrand- 6:30pm
FINAL THOUGHTS
Again thank all of the brave healthcare, emergency and essential business workers who leave their houses every day to serve humanity.
Impact Heroes - Please like and share these heroes on our church Instagram @church4impact with your friend's circles and ask them to pray for these heroes.
Please continue to stay safe. We are still ONE CHURCH, now in MANY HOUSES!
Blessings,
Bishop De’Andre Salter
Senior Pastor | Impact Church