November 18, 2020

Dear Ivanrest Family,

West Michigan has seen a significant increase in COVID cases and Ivanrest Church has not been spared from that reality. Many in our church family and staff have been impacted by COVID-19 – testing positive and/or being required to quarantine at home. Kent County infection rates are rising, local hospitals are at capacity with patients, and the hospitals are beginning to board patients in the ER.

And so today, we find ourselves facing another pivot in ministry. The Administrative Team has made the decision to “press the pause button” on in-person worship November 22 – December 6, including Thanksgiving Day. We will offer a LiveStream serve at 10:00 AM with only a worship team, minister, and other essential volunteers present. A sub-team of people will closely monitor the ever-changing situation and we will resume in-person worship when we can or extend the pause if needed.

The LiveStream feed can be accessed by clicking here. We acknowledge that there have been some issues over the past month and we share your frustration. Our staff and volunteers work diligently each week to ensure LiveStream works well but have experienced a few technology glitches out of their control recently. The LiveStream feed should be available by 9:50 AM each Sunday morning. If there is a known issue, we will communicate that fact via social media and email as soon as we can. Every service is recorded and usually available by mid-Sunday afternoon.

The Student Ministries Team has also decided to transition middle and high school youth groups to online for the next few weeks. Parents and students – please watch for communication from Andrew for what you need to know and links to appropriate Zoom meetings.

Our goal continues to be the ongoing health and safety of God’s people while we try to increase the chances of entering the upcoming holiday season with opportunities to gather and celebrate His word together.

Are we alone in this endeavor? Certainly not. Additional faithful churches in West Michigan have temporarily paused for a period of weeks – with the prayer and desire that health and healing can be restored. Please join with us during this time – committing to a season of prayer – especially for those with severely compromised health concerns.

In Christ,

The Administrative Team