Dear AABC Family,

Do you remember what happened on March 13 of this year? It was the day we moved to Stage 4 of our Emergency Response Plan due to the widespread community transmission of COVID-19, the day we migrated all of our ministries to online platforms and no longer used the church campus. It seems like a long time ago, doesn’t it? And of course, a lot has happened to our church campus since then (with damage to our Main Building and the Children’s Ministry Center). 

In this season of unprecedented change, it’s given all of us an opportunity to vitally connect with God, one another and our neighbors in deeper and more creative ways. We are praying, learning, grieving and celebrating together in this challenging season. And I am confident that we will emerge from this testing of our faith with greater maturity and strength by our desperate reliance on Him.

At the last Quarterly Business Meeting, we presented our Re-Entry Plan (click here to see the full version), which is based upon these principles:

• We never closed for we are the Church.
• We are fearless but not reckless (Luke 12:4-5; Proverbs 14:16).
• We are listening to you and longing for us to gather in person again (Hebrews 10:25).

With much prayer and consideration of our gating criteria, the Council leadership and I are excited to announce that on Saturday, May 30, we will move into Phase 1 of our Re-Entry Plan. Although our campus remains closed, our Nurture Groups have the opportunity to meet in-person as long as group sizes are less than or equal to 10. Specific protocols for Nurture Groups will be shared by the Nurture Committee.

In the meantime, we ask for prayers for our Nurture Committee and our Nurture Group Leaders as they prepare their hearts and create the best environments for community connection and sharpening of one another toward Christ-likeness.

We also ask that you pray for yourself and one another. In these times in which many perspectives abound about COVID-19, it’s easy to look down upon those who disagree with us. Mask or no mask? Meet in person or stay at home? 

The world loves to slap derogatory labels on each other and elevate personal interests above others'. Of course, the Bible tells us to not do that and instead follow the example of Jesus: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3-5).

So please don’t let Satan gain a foothold in our church family by dividing us through criticisms and complaints. Instead, stay united in the love Jesus has for you and His Body by supporting and encouraging one another.  

We will continue to offer digital and physical options for people throughout all phases of our Re-Entry Plan so we can reach as many people as possible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After all, Jesus gave us His mission to make disciples that is to take place every day He gives us, everywhere He places us, with every one He allows us to befriend and on every platform (physical and digital) He makes available to us!

Peace,

Ben