About two weeks ago, churches started calling off worship services because of Covid-19. Since that time there have been more people using Zoom, FreeConferenceCall, Facebook Live, YouTube, and dozens of other communication tools, than ever before.

Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Dexter, Georgia is where I serve as interim pastor and we have been using a conference call for gathering. We have a prayer call at 6:00 pm every evening, Monday-Friday and scheduled calls today for 11:00 and 5:00.

This morning at 11:00, the system was overloaded and only a few could get on. I imagine that in the Eastern time zone there are several million getting on the digital cyber-freeway at 11:00 am. Picture spaghetti junction (where I-85 and I-285 meet for those not familiar with Atlanta) at 5:00 pm.

Pinecrest Baptist Church in Cordele took an innovative step in sharing a key resource. For years the morning worship service at Pinecrest has been broadcast live on WSST television from 11:00 – 12:00.

Pastor David Grantham got together with Pastor Max Rogers of Northern Heights Baptist Church and Pastor Terry Ryan of Penia Baptist Church. The three pastors and a soloist from each church shared the hour.

Many who watch the Sunday worship service on WSST TV do not use a computer. They look forward to the live service each Sunday.

Today the ministry of these three churches expanded. Pinecrest expanded because Pastor Grantham saw this an an opportunity for the Kingdom of God. Northern Heights and Penia expanded the ministries because Pastors Rogers and Ryan also saw this as a Kingdom opportunity.

In Albany, a community wide caravan drove to Phoebe Putney hospital. The drivers parked around the hospital with lights on to let the medical workers and patients who could see that people were praying.

The typical faith events of gathering for worship, study, and ministry activities have been limited in the traditional form. The practice of faith, however, has not been diminished.

The practice has changed in innovative ways over the past few weeks. Difficult times strengthen us and our faith grows. Faith is alive and well.

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