Churches go virtual to celebrate Easter

Bur situated at the front was an IPad, live streaming the Easter Sunday service.

For the Padar’s, both pastors, live streaming is new and uncharted territory.

“Being on social media is new for us obviously, preparing behind the scenes during the week sometimes we are doing videos, so it is definitely a whole new level of exposure for us,” lead pastor Rebekka Padar said.

But reaching out virtually is something many churches across the city have done to reach their congregations.

“I think it has forced us but a lot of churches to think outside the box. You know as a church you tend to judge what you are doing by how many people come into your walls,” lead pastor Ryan Padar said.

For the church, thinking outside the box originally meant a drive-in service.

“People were going to drive in to the parking lot, park two meters apart, and listen to us through the windscreen,” Rebekka Padar explained

But following heightened messages from provincial officials urging people to stay inside and take in virtual services, the church pulled the plug to be extra cautious.

Instead, relying on technology to deliver a much needed message of hope during a period of uncertainty.

“In a world where everything is unsure, what’s happening with my job? What’s happening with my house? Where am I going to get money from? Really god is the answer. There is hope out there. There is a way to find a deep sense of peace that really comes from only one source, that goes to the heart” Rebekka Padar said.

” If you are in a dark valley, don’t stop. If it feels like you are in a valley, fix your eyes on Jesus, keep walking,” Ryan Padar said.

by Tiffany Goodwein

Churches go virtual to celebrate Easter

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