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May 26, 2020

 

Good morning Proximity Church family and greetings to you and your families with the love of Christ!

Last week, President Trump deemed faith-based gatherings as essential. Yesterday, May 25, Governor Newsom allowed churches in California to reopen with stipulations and guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health. At this time, we are still awaiting guidance from the San Joaquin County of Public Health as well as the City of Stockton.

In any event, the guidelines are very restrictive and require extensive planning and preparation. Rosa and I are spending the better part of this week reading and understanding the guidelines and preparing a strategic plan to prepare Proximity Church to physically reopen to the church doors for in-person gatherings. We will then work with the church leadership and volunteers to put the plan into action.

We know that some of you are beyond ready to resume in-person services this weekend, and we long to gather in-person as well, but we want to be sure that when we return, we do so led by the guidance of the Holy Spirit to provide a safe and healthy environment. We know everyone has a different opinion about what the whole social distancing thing needs to be, but we’re going to respect everyone’s opinion as we phase back into regular worship services. We want you to be as comfortable as possible and feel as safe as possible when you return.

When we are ready to re-open the church doors, we encourage those of you who have health concerns or health-related issues that would cause you to need to have to wait, to do just that and wait. You know your health better than anyone else, and if you need to not return just yet, by all means, wait. Stay at home, continue to worship with us via livestream until you feel it’s safe for you to return.

AT THIS TIME, WE WILL CONTINUE OUR ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICES AND WILL NOT BE RESUMING IN-PERSON GATHERINGS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. MORE INFORMATION REGARDING IN-PERSON GATHERINGS WILL BE PROVIDED AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

Please pray with us and for us as we listen to the Lord as He leads us. We have not heard from God that Proximity Church has the go-ahead to resume services at this time. No matter what the government or others say, the only voice we listen to is the voice of the Holy Spirit.  

Whether in-person or online, as people of faith, we know that physical distance is no problem for our big God. He reaches us wherever we are and through this season, He has been growing us, teaching us, and blessing us. Don’t be fooled by the enemy into thinking that the church has somehow been closed down or slowed down because of COVID-19. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 16:18 that, “the gates of Hell will not prevail against (the Church).”  

The Church is not a building, the Church is you and us, and the entire body of believers worldwide. Our mission has not changed. Our vision has not changed. Our purpose has not changed. The anointing of God has not left us nor has its power changed. We exist to bring people to Christ, building people up in Christ, and send people out for Christ. For this mission and cause, our lives pursuit is to see people come to God and live out purpose-filled lives in Christ.  

Be the salt and light, Proximity Church!  

We love you all, miss you all, and are praying for you all.  

For the Glory of God,  

Pastor Ben and Rosa