Churches have become experts at hosting online services and events during lockdown. But eight Elim churches in Cornwall recently joined forces to do this in a new way.
The group has united to run a joint Alpha course for their region – an initiative which launched in September.
The course is the brainchild of Kevin Pickup, pastor of Gateway Church in Launceston and Bodmin, and is managed by Steve Heathcote, who started as a minister in training just four weeks before lockdown.
“I live 40 miles from the church, so I think Kevin thought, ‘how can we keep Steve busy?” Steve jokes.
It is running much like you’d expect an Alpha course to, he explains. Guests come online to watch a film based on the week’s theme, then break into groups on Zoom to discuss it. But Steve and his team have injected inventive elements to tailor it to their area.
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