God Always find A way, ‘Mate!
The past year has been trying for nearly everyone on the planet. The COVID-19 pandemic has given us a few stops, starts, and even some U-turns as we journey through life. However, as believers in Jesus Christ, we know that God is still on His throne. He promises to work things for the good of those who love Him and are called to His purpose.
Rather than be shaken, the Council of Servants (COS) prayed that this could be a good opportunity to strategically bring the church closer to the community across Western Sydney. They prayed specifically:
To safely return to corporate worship by observing the required maximum number of people in a venue
To safely promote physical fellowship while observing proper social distancing
To create an avenue for evangelism by bringing Sunday venue closer to members and the community, thus, being able to invite visitors and new contacts
To create opportunities for new leaders and volunteer development, resulting in future church planting
With this vision in sight, they quickly began to make their tangible plan of action. They sub-grouped the Sunday congregation strategically across CCF Sydney West into 4 smaller groups to comply with the COVID-19 restrictions:
CCF Northwest at Castle Hill RSL Club
CCF Central West at Rooty Hill RSL Club
CCF Southwest at Casula Powerhouse Museum
CCF West Hub stays at Blacktown Workers Club
We pray that you will partner with us in prayer as we continue to assist struggling churches in meeting physically during this COVID situation and also pray for us as we also target new people groups online and disciple them in digital churches to adjust to the new normal. May we see hundreds of thousands of digital churches worshipping Jesus and multiplying in the next few years!
Rather than stopping the growth of CCF Sydney West, the pandemic forced them to reassess and seek the Lord’s direction. Then He answered their prayers in His typically creative way. He has provided new venues, which are closer to the people they desire to reach. He has raised up new leaders and volunteers to serve in the new venues. And He is already helping them reach out – seven first time visitors were connected to small groups in just the first two Sundays!
It always amazes us to see the way God works. Though CCF Sydney was growing before the pandemic, now because of the pivot to multiple venues, there are even more opportunities to see Him work!