Summit Family,
As the uncertainty of the CO-VID 19 coronavirus continues to unfold before us, it is as important as ever that we hold fast to our faith and to the Lord who upholds us with His right hand (Psalm 63:8) and calls us not to fear (Isaiah 41:13). In times like these, and indeed at all times, we need to lean on the Lord by feasting on His Word, resting in his promises, and pressing into the Body of Christ.
Fear, worry, and anxiety in a time like this are normal. You are not a ‘bad Christian’ or an illegitimate child of God if you are struggling with such feelings. Instead of allowing these feelings to be a path of isolation, let them be an on-ramp for intimacy with God, our Father, and a point of community with His Body. Let us remember and graciously remind one another that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
As we journey through the uncertainty of these days, let’s keep sight of God’s missional heart. Many around us are facing this pandemic without the hope we have in Jesus Christ. The history of the church is bursting with stories of God’s activity through his people, especially in the darkest hours. This is more than a health pandemic; this is a Gospel moment. If we walk with wisdom, we can seize this opportunity for the glory of God and the good of our neighbors. Through sacrificial service, acts of kindness, and grace-filled gospel words, we have the potential to impact the lives of our friends, family and next door neighbors. To that end, let us be prayerful, ever vigilant to the needs of those around us. As followers of Jesus, let's set the standard of what it looks like to love our neighbors and serve the least of these, for these are the norms of the kingdom of God (Matt. 25:40-45).
We are currently unsure of when we will be able to gather again across all of our congregations. We look forward to that day and pray that it will be soon. Until then, we commit to continue streaming online services every Sunday. We encourage you to gather with your family and allow these streams to nourish your souls. And though we won’t be able to gather all together in person, let us remember that the power of our gathering is actually seen in our scattering. So may the Spirit lead us and empower us in the days ahead as we scatter all across our community. We’ll be providing resources and ways to stay connected through regular devotionals, podcasts and more. So stay tuned to our social media channels, emails, and website.
We are also in contact with our Xpansion ministry partners and seeking ways in which we can help them serve our community and world. As more of the needs are made known to us, we will make sure to share them with you. For now, continue to pray with us and let us know how we can serve you and your families. Feel free to reach out to us at help@summitlife.com. We love you and feel extremely blessed to be on mission with you. God bless you!
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