Coronavirus update
Special message from Pastor John:In light of National, State, and Local authorities strong recommendations to cancel or postpone all large group gatherings, we are cancelling all in-person weekend worship and gatherings as well as any other ministry programming at both our Apopka and Lake County campuses until further notice. Although I had intended up until just a few hours ago to meet together this weekend, this seems to be the socially responsible step to take in view of this still widely spreading disease. It appears it could take weeks or longer before we see the spreading of this virus slow down and, in the meantime, avoiding contact in crowds is the prescribed safest strategy by health and government experts. We will comply with this request.However, WE WILL WORSHIP this weekend. You can still join our Livestream worship experience at the usual times of 5PM on Saturday and 9:30 and 11:15 AM on Sunday morning. For many of our Journey family, this will be your first experience of worshiping digitally. I urge you to join us online at journeychristian.com or download our Journey Christian app to connect with us. Creative Arts Pastor Jeremy Tomlinson and his team of artists and technicians will lead us in a meaningful time of worship through music. Pastor Dustin Aagaard will be sharing some important information about how we can minister and stay connected while we are unable to meet in person. A conversation I had with Dr. Mark Rutland will be the message and thus concluding our Sages for the Ages series. Dr. Rutland is one of the best organizational leaders in our nation and his practical wisdom, advice and scriptural insights about turning around under-performing institutions or individuals is needed even more now in light of this jarring crisis.The WAY we do church over the next few weeks, or even longer, may change, but the WHY we do church is non-negotiable and unchanging. We are on a mission to make disciples of Jesus who love God, love people and serve the world. In these times of societal turmoil, when we can’t GO to church, we can always BE the church wherever we are.Yesterday I urged all of us not to panic, but to pray and be prepared. While we want to take responsible actions to shepherd and steward the thousands of people who call Journey their church home during this unprecedented crisis, we also want to use this time to see where God is at work in all of this. He is with us, for us and will work through us as we surrender to his will and leading. I maintain that God can turn this outbreak into a global outcry to Him, turning the hearts of many to follow Jesus, who is, was, and always will be the source of the best life possible and the brightest hope available. This could be the beginning of the greatest Kingdom harvest that so many have been praying about for so long. Make it so, Lord, make it so.We will be sharing some important information about online opportunities to stay engaged in our mission and ministry programming early next week. Until then.Loving this uncharted Journey,Pastor John
