Most of us are probably a little tired of Corona/Covid posts filling our feeds, advertising interrupting our binge watching and arresting our attention during our infrequent escapes to grocery stores. So just to reassure you this post contains no conspiracy theories, no politics and no armchair expertise.
I, however, did want to share a little of how this season has been playing out for us here in Arlington. We so appreciate all our friends and families continued prayers, thoughts and support while we all navigate this.
For those not in the DFW area, social distancing and shelter in place began unfolding here a little over a month ago as we celebrated Beccy’s birthday. It took many of us a little by surprise and wave after wave of updates and phases of the shutdown measures meant for the last week or so of March our readjustments changed almost daily.
As we wrestled with how the significant changes in the environments we were able to work in it was more than clear that as much as ever the young people in our communities needed our teams to serve and coach them through this season. So as quickly as possible we rethought and reimagined how our teams could adjust their approaches to ministry. As April rolled in we essentially shifted all our ministry online and began recommissioning and coaching our teams to serve the young people in their communities through;
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- Online Interactive Bible Studies
- Online Discipleship groups
- Online Hangouts
- Online Q & As
- Producing Online Video Content
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In this way many of our teams continue to serve communities around the world.
Due to the travel restrictions some of our teams had to return to their home nations, however thanks to the wonders of modern technology many have been able to continue investing in the communities they grew to love during the months they were previously working face to face in.
Now as we step into the easing of some of the shelter in place measures here in the DFW area we continue to rethink and reimagine what ministry will look like in the coming months and years ahead. The silver lining of this heartbreaking crisis has been many things we have learnt in the process of adjusting to the social restrictions. Moving forward I look forward to seeing how many of these things improve our engagement;
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- More intentionally utilising digital platforms
- More intentionally creating community
- More intentionally exploring compassion initiatives
- More intentionally leaning into worship
- More intentionally creating space to experience faith beyond educating about faith
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This week we are currently holding our annual global summit for all our Pais Movement leaders around the world. It looks a little different this year online of course but it is nevertheless impactful with fresh inspiration, resources and the wonderful privilege of welcoming new nations to our stella team of national directors.
Whilst the weeks ahead are still somewhat uncertain in terms of how things in our communities open up and our schools will remain closed for the remainder of this academic year. We are preparing and getting ready for the next wave of missionaries planned to arrive in August. In this way we’d love you to join with us in prayer;
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- As the placement process for new missionaries gets underway
- As we train our team leaders online this year
- As we navigate some of the financial implications of the last few months
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In the meantime we’ll continue to do whatever we can to help as many as possible discover Jesus and His Kingdom. A Kingdom which regardless of circumstances is full of hope, full of joy, full of peace, full of patience, full of forgiveness, full of kindness, full of faithfulness and full of selflessness.
Long may our world come alive as we show up and share His Kingdom!