Content, they say, is king. And since we’re all hanging out at home for the time being, there’s definitely a need for more of it.
The coronavirus pandemic got pretty real last week. Now we’ve all been hunkered down for several days practicing “social distancing” — two words I think most people will be glad to one day (hopefully) never hear again.
In the meantime, though, several faith-based groups have stepped in with some much-needed resources. One company, the streaming site VidAngel, has even decided to make its service free for the time being.
VidAngel, which hosts the popular Bible drama “The Chosen,” first waved its fees last week and will be continuing to do so at least through the end of this week. Neal Harmon, CEO of VidAngel, said he hopes it “will provide some healing balm for the world right now.”
“The world just needs a big hug,” he told Faithwire. “There ’s only so much negativity that humanity can handle, and at some point, it just doesn’t become helpful and people, I think, are inherently good, inherently want to collaborate, inherently want to look out for each other.”
What other resources are available?
Minno
The Nashville-based kids digital media streaming app Minno is offering a free resource called “Church at Home,” a program offering parents tools they need to recreate the Sunday school experience for their children during this time of “social distancing,” when attending church like we usually do isn’t an option.
Minno is also making free daily devotionals available for parents to share with their children, who are out of school for the remainder of the year.
The service is also offering parents resources on how to talk with their kids about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
LifeWay
For years, we’ve known LifeWay as a Christian book retailer, but it closed all its stores last year. Now, the company is entirely online and, during this pandemic, offering a whole lot of free resources.
LifeWay is giving churches access to free, digital Bible study curriculums, access to its Kids at Home service, giving parents resources to help parents study Scripture with their children.
The Nashville-based company is also giving churches access to Ministry Grid — its database of information to help ministers lead their congregations through this medical crisis. For churches, LifeWay is also giving churches access to its online giving portal, Generosity, for the 90 days.
Ministry Designs
Based in Battle Creek, Michigan, the owner of Ministry Designs announced last week his company is offering free websites to any church in need of one until April 1.
The company opted to remove its $1,000 activation fee “in an effort to enable every church during gathering restrictions.”
“During this time of uncertainty and unprecedented gathering restrictions, we want churches to know that we are here for them no matter the circumstance,” said Tyler Rominger, founder and CEO of Ministry Designs. “We want to be a blessing in a possible time of need when meeting in person is unavailable, so web communication and Sunday service streaming are required.”
Rominger went on to say this is “a critical time” for the church and he wants to “empower” church leaders to be able to communicate with their congregations “effectively.”