Planting During a Pandemic
As Thailand enters its fourth? fifth? (we’re losing track) COVID lockdown, we’d be lying if we said we haven’t asked ourselves “Why did we decide to do this?” Planting a church during a pandemic is a unique challenge, and there isn’t a manual out there that says how to do it, and do it well.
It’s during those moments of questioning that we are reminded that God did indeed call us here. After years of growing a church in another city, God began preparing our hearts to plant an additional church in Chiang Mai. God also guided us to invest energy and resources into our online live-streaming for this church way before this lockdown, so He was already preparing for us to plant a church and make an impact, even knowing another lockdown was coming!
God Blesses His Plans
Despite the challenges, there have been many blessings in the midst of this plant. In our first 6 meetings, we had about 30 people attending each week. Just as this was stabilizing and growing, we had to limit the people in our room to just volunteers and team members due to the latest COVID restrictions. But we are very encouraged by the reports we are getting from our livestream audience! Through that platform, we have been able to connect with people who first saw us online, then wanted to meet. We’ve been encouraged by people saying they are tuning in every week with their families at home, and really being encouraged by the messages.
We’ve also been blessed to meet and get to know people from other churches and ministries. It’s so refreshing to share with each other how God is moving in our midst, setting aside comparison or competition for an earnest passion for the Thai people to know Jesus.
In our own neighborhood, we’ve been slowly getting acquainted with families and local shop owners. Though there has to be distance and caution when it comes to meeting people during a COVID lockdown, they’re already asking questions about why we’re here and what we do. We are so blessed to have this rental home and have already filled all the beds on numerous occasions with friends, family, and team members.
People are spiritually hungry during this time, and needing God more than ever. We are so thankful that the messages of God’s faithfulness, love, and goodness are still reaching people, even during a lockdown. If these times have taught us anything, it is that God is our only constant. Everything will pass away, but He remains the same.
As we move forward with this church plant, we know that this is God’s plan, not ours.
We praise God for His leadership and blessings.
We praise God for multiple gifts that have helped with our increased budget and travel expenses from planting in the city. These gifts went a long way to cover our family and allow us to be a blessing to others!
We praise God that 70% of the initial start-up cost has been funded. When we receive the remaining $18,000 we can begin building a cafe and area for fellowship in our room and pay the rest of the year’s rent!
People are spiritually hungry during this time, and needing God more than ever. We are so thankful that the messages of God’s faithfulness, love, and goodness are still reaching people, even during a lockdown. If these times have taught us anything, it is that God is our only constant. Everything will pass away, but He remains the same.
Shan and Lindsey serve with GlobalGrace in Thailand
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23