Gateway hosts online services

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent 
 
Because Gov. Mark Gordon has mandated that the citizens of Wyoming follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that groups no larger than 10 people congregate, local churches closed their doors. 
However, Gateway Fellowship Pastor Jon Anderson took advantage of modern technology and found a way to deliver his sermon. Live-streaming his message through Facebook, Anderson preached as he would normally on any other Sunday minus the face-to-face human connection. 
Gateway Fellowship began live-streaming its services on Facebook a few weeks ago, so the community can enjoy a sermon and word of encouragement during the isolation, Anderson said. Those who don’t have access to a computer are given sermon notes. 
“It is my hope that we can begin meeting together again sometime in May. It is my personal belief that things will begin to reopen in the next two to three weeks,” Anderson said. 
Many are feeling lonely because of the quarantine, especially those who cannot access the online services, and Anderson said that God created humans for social interaction and contact. However, he stressed that it is still important for people to dig into God’s word and encourage one another despite social distancing. 
“I know people are feeling discouraged, and I have felt it myself.  It is like a sort of cabin fever or simply missing gathering together with people,” Anderson said. “Praying together is a great way to encourage others because it can be done over the fence in the backyard, by phone, email, text messages, messenger and a variety of other ways.” 
For him personally, Anderson said, they were blessed to receive calls, texts, emails and even a loaf of banana bread. 
“I have sensed God’s presence with me through this situation personally, and I also feel like He has intentionally put others on my heart and mind,” Anderson said. “I pray that we can learn to be creative in ministering to each other as well.”
For those interested in tuning in, the virtual service begins at 11 a.m. every Sunday on the Gateway Fellowship Church Facebook page. It is a time of worship and praise, followed by a sermon from the Bible. 
“We really do need continued encouragement and challenge from God’s word,” Anderson said. “God never leaves us even if we are not able to meet together.”