Dillon Schupp
LifeSpring Family,

In less than 2 weeks, life as we know it has changed dramatically with the COVID-19 crisis. With many people forced to hunker down indoors, the nature of how we “do church” has had to change as well. Over the last two weeks, we have moved our Sunday Experience online, and the response has been tremendous! We’ve heard multiple reports of people far from God engaging with us through these messages- and that would not have happened with life “as normal”!

That simply means this: God always turns obstacles into opportunities! He does this as we take wise steps to leverage the situation we are facing in a way that moves the ball forward. Given that the current situation is likely to last for an extended period of time, it is even more critical that the steps we take be well-thought out and well-executed so the mission of God can continue to move forward in and through LifeSpring.

To that end, we wanted to let you know the steps we are taking in the “new normal.” We believe these steps will enable us to continue to pastor you well, encourage connection with others like never before, and equip us to give people opportunities to connect with LifeSpring and, more importantly, Jesus.

#1- Sunday Experiences will move online to Sundays at 10 AM until further notice. We are currently evaluating platforms beyond just Facebook Live that may enable us to broaden our reach. We are also exploring options to stream Sunday’s message directly through our website. Stay tuned to your email for future developments.

#2- Our commitment to lead the next generation to live for God, love all people, and lead others to do the same will not change. Encounter (6th-12th grade) will happen online beginning next week at a time and day to be determined. For LifeKids, we will continue to send out digital resources in a weekly LifeKids newsletter that will enable children to continue to receive age-appropriate Bible-lessons. Parents: this is an amazing opportunity for you to spend significant time with your child as they explore what it means to follow Jesus. As Pastor Mark said Sunday- “Seize the moment!”

#3- LifeGroups will continue to meet through online platforms. We will send out more information on this as we finalize plans, and days and times will be at the discretion of LifeGroup leaders. If you have yet to connect to a LifeGroup, NOW is the time to do so! Contact our LifeGroups Coordinator, Will Goins, at [email protected] for more info.

#4- We will be present with you each step of the way during this crisis, primarily through Facebook. If you have yet to get on Facebook, now is the perfect time to do so- even if it’s just for the duration of this crisis. During each week, each of our pastors will be giving you brief “nuggets” that help us continue to pursue God through His Word, song, and prayer, pursue those far from God, and find peace and hope during this crisis.  Since much of this will be on social media, we have the opportunity to not only view these things, but share them to people who need the hope held out in the Gospel.

#5- We will communicate with you weekly on what is coming up through email and text reminders. Early each week we will send you an email to let you know what’s coming up each week, how you can prepare, and other information that is important to our ability to navigate this crisis. We will send text reminders for each Sunday experience on Saturday and Sunday.

On that note, we have three important things to share regarding this week at LifeSpring:

  • This coming Sunday we are launching a brand-new two week series called “Unshakable Hope.” What people need in this moment more than anything is hope- and we’ll find out how we find that hope over the next two weeks.
  • Our “How to Read the Bible” class will take place online at 7 PM this coming Wednesday night on Facebook Live.
  • All other planned events are postponed until further notice.
#6- We will continue to care for our church and our community- especially for those who are considered “high-risk” for COVID-19. If you are in the “high-risk” category, please email me immediately at [email protected] and and we’ll start looking together for ways LifeSpring can serve you during this time. If you are not high-risk, reach out to those around you who are elderly or who may have underlying medical conditions and see how you can serve them during this time. At the end of the day, the church may not be gathering, but the church will continue to be the church!

It’s a different world now. That much is a given. What matters now is what we do moving forward, and I believe we have an unprecedented opportunity to see the Gospel impact people like never before!

We love you guys, and if there is anything at all we can do for you or if there is anyway we can pray for you, please let me know.

Pastor Dillon