This post was written by Kyle Gilbert (kylesrandom.com), Pastor of Communications & Internet Campus Pastor at Faith Promise Church.
At the beginning of the year, I imagined the kind of impact Faith Promise could have by launching an online campus. Today, after just 13 weekends on the Internet Campus, I’m blown away by what God is doing.
Let me share a few stories:
Sharon & George attended Faith Promise Church a few times, but with busy weekends, they hadn’t quite gotten into the habit of coming each week. One Sunday morning, they were at home, and Sharon decided to check out the Internet Campus. Once she watched a few minutes of the service and got a glimpse of the message, she knew it was something they needed to experience together. So Sharon told the family to get ready, and they made it to our Knoxville campus in time for our 11:45 am Sunday service.
Eric serves in the military and was recently deployed overseas. Despite the geographical separation from his wife and kids, he can share the same worship experience with his family, who attends at our Knoxville campus. The shared experience helps them to stay emotionally connected through the separation.
Yvonne is a widow who lives out of state and is unable to go to church because of physical disabilities. She found our iCampus through the recommendation of a friend, and this is what she had to say: “I am blessed to be able to praise and worship God and be a part of a church community in spite of my body’s limitations. My spirit has been set free!”
Robert and his wife normally attend our Knoxville church campus, but due to issues with his Parkinson’s, there were several weeks when he was unable to attend. Through the Internet Campus, he was able to stay connected and receive personal connection and prayer in the midst of his recovery.
We’ve also had missionaries overseas that connect to our Internet Campus, and people traveling or on vacation often join us online.
Although these names have been changed to protect peoples’ identities, each story represents at least one person whose lives have been touched through Faith Promise’s Internet Campus.
Here are some quotes:
“I attended Faith Promise for over a year, but due to the economy we are no longer able to drive 50 minutes to church. I am so happy that you have started this service! I have missed Faith Promise, and look forward to learning and growing online!”
“I just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity to hear Pastor and worship with you guys today. I am home with a sick child, and this allows me to participate! Thanks again!”
“Thank You! My family and I moved [into the Knoxville area] in November of last year, and we have really been lost since we have been here. We came from a church much like Faith Promise and have not found church home. I just veiwed your service online and know that we will be attending next week without a doubt.”
