AS South Africa attempts to flatten the curve amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Christians will be celebrating Easter in lockdown and Grace Family Church (GFC) has a plan to bring church to the public through technology.
The church was hard at work, pre-recording sermons when the Northglen News visited their uMhlanga campus on Tuesday, 25 March before the lockdown began.
Online church services proved to be a success with some 11 000 people watching sermons from home as services were suspended amid Covid-19 concerns prior to lockdown, said the church.
“We had more people connecting digitally than we have ever had physically in our environment. We had 11 000 views and we normally have about 5000 attendees on a Sunday between our four campuses. The church does well in times of crisis. In times of uncertainty, people are looking for certainty and hope,” said co-senior pastor at GFC, Tom Basson.
Group Life partner from GFC, Garth Gaillard said statistics before lockdown showed an 18 per cent increase in the church’s community group on social media as well.
“We have had that community group since 2019, but in this last 28 days, people interacting on the group has increased,” he said.
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While filming Easter services was a priority prior to lockdown, the church serves a broader purpose to support the community during the uncertain times that lie ahead. Co-senior pastor, Wayne Taylor said anyone can access the online Easter church services which aim to promote inclusively.
“We have this term social distancing, but in fact it’s physical distancing and social connection. We are separated physically, but all of our strategies aim to increase social connection online,” he said.
With experience in filming and broadcasting sermons, GFC has been able to adapt quickly to the current demand.
“The context is that we are a multi-campus church, so we have one church that meets in multiple locations. We are already equipped to broadcast sermons. We don’t believe a church is the building. We believe church is the people, so wherever people are gathered, that’s the church. We have been streaming online for a number of years already. We have a set up for that, but the lockdown has fast tracked it,” said Basson.
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GFC is working on a long term solution to provide data bundles or to set up a system that allows them to reverse data cost back to the church for those in need. The Church will share an Easter Friday service and an Easter Sunday service online. The public can logon via graceonline.tv.
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