The Community serves through COVID
New Ventures have been quick to try new things in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and new social distancing practices. Here’s a story about what one community has been doing.
The Community is a New Venture in Esquimalt, BC that began with a group of pastors and ministry leaders wanting to meet the needs of the 1300 youth in their municipality. Cam and Candace and their team serve the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of youth in Esquimalt through a daily breakfast program, youth groups, mentoring, and engaging youth in volunteer opportunities.
The Community Youth are running Alpha Online.
Since the pandemic changed the way The Community can engage with their youth, they have moved a lot of programs online. They have begun an Alpha Online on Monday nights over Zoom and Tuesday night’s discipleship group has continued online over Zoom. A daily Bible reading plan has been created and put on google docs so participants can put their thoughts and questions right into the google doc live as everyone reads throughout the week together.
The Community’s daily breakfast program has gone to an online platform and they are delivering juice boxes for those involved with breakfast program. Perhaps the most meaningful change has been the new care groups that have been created. The youth have been split up into care groups with each care group under a pair of leaders and those leaders are making deliveries to youth to encourage them, dropping off chocolate bars, chips, encouragement cards, baked goods, chili and other food. Leaders have been knocking on doors, leaving their delivery there and then stepping back about 10 feet to talk to them for a few minutes and encourage them. Leaders are also letting youth know that we can help them and their families where needed with deliveries of groceries/medications/necessities as needed--particularly should a family need to self isolate.
The Community youth leaders hope that, while things look different right now, their youth continue to feel cared for and experience the transforming love of Jesus.
Follow The Community on Facebook to check out Cam’s fun Coronacast posts and learn more about The Community here.
Do you have an encouraging story to share about something new Jesus is doing in your community in response to the COVID pandemic?
Encouraged by the new things God is doing at The Community?
Here are some ways you can join them on mission:
Pray for them.
Pray for Cam & Candace Aitken and the lead team of The Community as they find new opportunities to care for the the youth in Esquimalt!
Consider a financial gift.
All donations received are processed through Canada Helps and will receive a tax receipt. The funds go directly to the New Venture Apprentice to be used toward their development and ministry needs.
Visit The Community profile here.