From high street to live stream
We have been dreaming for the past 5 years, not day dreaming you understand, but dreaming of what it would be like to connect the things of God to people who have never thought of him.
It started with the search for the proper platform, we tried everything (it seemed!) from School assemblies, to skating competitions, to fathers day giveaways on wet seafronts, to giving donuts to the world… There was a BUS involved but then the FIRST big transition happened, the move into permanent digs on the high street!
A perfectly placed shop unit in a Penzance shopping centre allowed us free access to the shopping public and the wider community. With an open door and smiling volunteers we have welcomed people into our space for almost 2 years!! This year (2020) especially had the feeling of moving forward, embracing big changes in what Breathe looked like and felt like, our biweekly gatherings had just become weekly, our small community had found greater cohesion, there was discipleship, worship, prayer, evangelism, mentoring and creativity. It was turning into something really exciting!!
THEN, the virus struck, worldwide, towns and cities closed down, businesses, shops, factories told to stop! The world in turmoil, economic and travelling restrictions in place to prevent the global pandemic overtaking us all.
In self isolation we find space to stop and breathe
Finding ourselves at home, self isolating and shielding our loved ones, doing the social distancing required by the Government we found enough energy to regroup online.
NOW, realising that BREATHE is church reimagined for people who can’t cope with traditional church, the long mentally involved sermon, the constriction of the structured seating and requirements of silence and stillness. For many in our communities this is impossible, some may try it out, endure the struggle of the glares and the commands to ‘stop’ and ‘sit still’ and ‘be quiet’… BUT for most they will avoid and protect themselves from such judgements by staying away.
BREATHE seeks to engage people and help them connect with God firstly through creativity, through community and through mutual support and so when the virus put us on lockdown we had to change tack but still desiring to connect with our local community.
SO, BREATHE LIVE was born out of our desire to continue to connect with our community in a different way, through fun, energy, interaction and laughter, through prayer, through support, daily phone calls to every member of our group. THIS is our commitment to those who are part of us.
You may think BREATHE LIVE is flippant and irreverent, but for us we are embodying the love and person of Christ to a wide audience. If you want a sit down sermon, there are plenty to choose from, BUT if you want a fun focus on God with interaction and Kingdom values for the whole family then BREATHE LIVE is the place to be.
We LOVE our community and are enjoying connecting with a much wider audience and will continue to do so as long as we need to (we may even continue at the end of the isolation period??!!) and would love to see you there participating in our LIVE streams…
SPREAD THE WORD, BREATHE LIVE IS FOR EVERYONE!
You may think it’s easy to stand up and entertain for only an hour a day, but a lot of work goes on behind the scenes, day in day out… It takes a lot of emotional energy to put so much into these shows every day. Our deepest desire is to build the Kingdom of God, both here in Cornwall and around the world to the extent that God chooses to use us.
So we bless you in the name of Jesus Christ, and pray that God would protect you and strengthen you through this time of isolation and uncertain futures.
With love,
Murray
