Reaching online viewers has been an ongoing ministry of Great Oaks Community Church, Germantown, Illinois. But, when Easter gatherings were cancelled due to a shelter-in-place order, the Great Oaks staff found unique ways to bring Easter to their entire community which encompasses two local church campuses.

With Easter worship gatherings cancelled, the Great Oaks staff embraced the challenge to deliver a worship experience and connection by Internet. They prepared 300 “Easter-in-place” boxes for church members. Each box contained an invitation card and a list of ideas for inviting friends to view the Easter service online. The boxes also contained supplies for at-home communion. One person responded, saying, “I love what you guys are all about. This is the kind of church I’ve been looking for.”

The highlight of the online Easter experience was a production of “Jesus Paid it All” that the Creative Arts team pre recorded and edited with 13 individual voices and instruments. The video can be viewed on Vimeo, here. The response to the video has resulted in thousands of views and responses.

One email response sums up the sentiment of many in the Great Oaks community: “I’m so happy you’re doing the online church. (It) Helps bring peace and spirituality to my life during these hard times. Bless you all and everything you’re doing to help.”