Pandemic sees new generation step up

At Hope Vale in Far North Queensland we have been living in an era of limited involvement by congregation members in our weekly services.

Along comes COVID-19, prompting us to seek new, creative and technological ways to reach people, despite living in a very shaky internet region and having only basic technological equipment and knowledge. It’s been a very steep learning curve.

As a result a new generation is stepping up. Coleridge has willingly shown me YouTube. Learna has tutored us in the fine detail of live-streaming. Keithean has directed the ‘production’. Pam has controlled the camera. Kerry has assisted with the music. Jayson has been always ready to help. Cheryl has been the music technician. Pearl, Esma, Estelle, Jemily, Cheryl, Lillian and Dora have distributed printed material. Heather has advised on production quality. And the people ‘tuning in’ to the end result are too many to number.

This flood of helpers has been the result of the coronavirus pandemic! Only three of them were previously actively involved. The encouragement we have received from dozens of Facebook viewers/listeners who have appreciated this has been the icing on the cake!

God has chosen to work in another mysterious way. He has been my greatest teacher.

During the lockdown we have also kept our op shop open to serve the town, while following government health directives. It has provided mental health therapy for people and an income stream for our congregation, resulting in four-times the regular Sunday offering. How good is our God! As he assures us in these changing times, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5).

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