If at any point you are in need of assistance pertaining to the Coronavirus (Covid-19), Emerge is here to help. Whether you need practical help, would like a call from one of our pastors or you have a specific prayer request, we'd like to know.

Please get in contact with us using the form below to provide us with information on how Emerge can help you. One of our friendly team will be in contact soon after.

The media is inundated with daily updates and it's impossible to read, absorb and respond to every news report, social media post or latest rumour. We're following a reliable list of information for educational, planning and management purposes.

The Australian Government Department of Health for the latest updates Australia wide

https://www.health.gov.au/

The Queensland Government Health website for Queensland specific guidance

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19

The World Heath Organisation for a global perspective including myth-busters

https://www.who.int/

Lifeline, providing support and practical guidance around mental health issues that may arise during this time

https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/topics/mental-health-and-wellbeing-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

1st April 2021

Hey Church... an update on Easter 2021... The Covid lockdown has been lifted from 12 noon today...but there are still some restrictions. With those in mind we have decided to not have our Good Friday Fun Day as we feel it will be too difficult to maintain social distancing measures consistently.

We will STILL HAVE IN PERSON SERVICES on Good Friday am and Easter Resurrection Sunday AT ALL locations as normal, PLUS ONLINE as we already have all precautions in place, but with mask wearing mandatory. We will have masks available.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.

Blessings of our Risen Saviour.

Ps Mark

29th March 2021

In line with current news and regulations we will be going into a 3 day lockdown from 5pm Monday 29th March 2021. Please stay safe and well during this time and be a great witness to your friends, family and community. All Easter events will be going ahead as planned unless the situation changes and we will update you here and on social media as and when we can.

For up to date info from our local authorities you can visit https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/urgent-covid-19-update to stay informed regarding the mandatory use of masks and restricted movement during this time.

17th April 2020

I hope you're well and still have plenty of chocolate left from Easter to snack on. We loved seeing the photos of different ones participating in the Passover Celebration with Ps Shane Willard. Keep the photos and testimonies coming. We love seeing and hearing what God is doing in your life during this time and the impact we can still have inviting others to watch 'Church from Home' which is as simple as going to emergechurch.life and following the prompts.

Our Church service will continue to be live at 9.30am and can be replayed anytime after. We love getting the opportunity to chat during this time and we've got new Chat Hosts this week so make sure you jump on early and say hi. 

Our Sunday night services brought great connection and fruit for our Young Adults so from this Sunday night our Young Adults will be starting a new church series of EYA LIVE. This will be run by our very own young adults group with lots of exciting segments. You can watch live at 6pm on their instagram account, @emergeyoungadultsbne. This will later be posted as a podcast.

I will be launching the Book of John bible study on Thursday 23 April from 7pm on our Emerge Church facebook group. This is the place to head to for all our weekly devotions, bedtime stories etc. It is a private group for Emerge Church members so if you're not apart of it and would like to be let us know and we'll get you connected in.

Thanks for your continued generosity towards our Covid Relief. We were able to bless families, couples and individuals over Easter all thanks to you!  

If you are interested in becoming a Congregation Member, you still can, just fill out the forms attached to my last email and send to [email protected] 

I love you and I love our church.

Ps Mark

9th April 2020

I hope your well and surviving being at home... It's going to be a different Easter for us all... we can't even go to the beach...that's just un-Australian, but we all know why and can see the positive effects of social distancing...

Easter at Emerge Church is filled with great content. We have a 9.30am Good Friday Communion Service and a 3pm Passover Celebration with Ps Shane Willard. On Resurrection Sunday we have a celebration service at 9.30am complete with an incredible item. Use these services to evangelise... ask someone to watch...tell someone about "Church from Home" I'm hearing great testimonies from people who have been able to get people to watch who have never been in church before. It's such a non confrontational way to get someone to church and its as easy as going to emergechurch.life and following the prompts.

I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has given to Corona Relief. You have been amazingly generous. It has enabled us to give significant relief to a number of people in our congregation and we have been able to do it in such a way that people can retain their dignity during this tough time. I love that I pastor such an incredibly generous church...you guys are amazing...

This year due to the restrictions we are unable to have an Emerge Congregants Members Meeting but we will still send out to all who are members our Reports. We will do this the first week of May. If you are not a current member and would like to be please fill in the attached form and send back to [email protected] 

I don't push membership as I believe just by coming to Emerge you are a member, but being a Congregation Member means you are committed to our vision and your place in fulfilling that vision. It also means that on important issues about our church you get to have a say. If you have any questions please just email me back. I have attached the Regulations and Constitution, which includes the Statements of Beliefs.

I love you and I love our church.

Ps Mark 

3rd April 2020

Well it's been almost a week since we have essentially been "Confined to Quarters" I hope you have enjoyed it more than endured it. I know I have relearned the glory of the +4 UNO card...

Thanks once again for your uptake of our on-line Service. I love seeing Emerge Church coming together. It's been amazing seeing more people engaging with our Service than if we were actually meeting in our buildings. I love the fact that people have engaged in our services who haven't been to church in years or even ever. I know a guy who grew up in my street over 40 years ago joined in through Facebook... Nina's cousin who has never been to church watched the whole service last weekend and many many people who haven't been to church in years have been watching... How good is that. Please be bold and invite someone to watch.

We have had some issues for the 6pm replay and we are trying to sort that out, but the 9.30am has been awesome. A huge shout-out to Ps Neil who has literally worked day and night to make this happen. 

Please remember that if you wish to give directly to help those in distress in our Emerge Congregation please designate your offering to "Covid" and it will 100% be used to help people. If you know of someone who does need a helping hand, please let one of our pastors know. 

For Easter we have a Good Friday Service at 9.30am complete with an incredible item... and at 3pm we will be replaying Ps Shane Willards Passover Meal from last year. I have attached the Passover Script Ps Shane used, which includes the elements you would need if you'd like to follow and do your own Passover. 

On Easter Sunday we have a special 9.30am Resurrection Celebration it's going to be amazing...

We also have many things going on during the week... tonight the youth are meeting on Instagram Live... Emerge Families are doing Virtual Dancing led by Joelz and Isaac Scot...Just get on through the Emerge Families page.

Next week on Monday night I'll be reading a Bed Time Story for Kids... Once again Emerge Families Facebook page is the place to head... I love what Kirralee and Rob Pauly are doing in this space.

Next Tuesday morning we will be begin Emerge Devotions with Ps Nina...and I'll be beginning the Book of John next Thursday night.

Don't forget the whole church in Australia is getting together at 7pm every night to pray for 15 mins...please be a part of this.

So as you can see we may not be able to meet together in buildings but Emerge Church is still gathering in so many ways...

Be a participator.

Much love and Blessings,

Ps Mark

27th March 2020

I hope you’re well and enjoying not just enduring being at home... Everyday there seems to be something else to worry about. But thank God, we don’t have to be alone, we have The Holy Spirit to comfort us and the church to walk through it with. 

Thank you to all joined Church from Home. It’s amazing what our team put together in just a few days. I’m so proud and thankful for them. Thanks for getting on board. We had a few minor issues at the 6pm but they’ll be sorted out by this Sunday. Remember all you need to do is go to emergechurch.life just before 9:30 am or 6pm Sunday and follow the prompts. It’s that easy. 

There are some people who do not have access to the internet and with people needing to stay home it’s not safe to join together in even a small group. Let us know if that’s you or you know someone like that and we will arrange for a DVD to be delivered before the Sunday so you can join with us all.

Here is a link to a “Good Neighbour” card. This is a great opportunity for you to be a good neighbour. It’s very simple... just print it out for about 10-20 of your neighbours and put it in their letterbox... it’s not all “churchie” or spiritual but it is neighbourly... Let’s be good to live near. 

At this time please be extra loving and take some time to ring someone from Emerge. It’s good to be a good neighbour but we need to especially look out for our brothers and sisters. Some people have already lost jobs and others are isolated so please reach out in compassion to them. 

Also every Denomination in Australia has put aside 15min from 7pm each day to pray. Let’s get behind this. At 7pm set your alarm and pray for Australia, our Leaders and for a viable vaccine to be found soon. 

Also let me thank you for continuing to give. I think it shows great faith and trust to give in difficult times. It demonstrates a real maturity in God. I don’t take it for granted and I honour you for it. 

Please remember that all our Emerge Church staff are here for you. All our Life Group Leaders are here for you. You don’t need to be alone, just pick up the phone and call. 

We love you 

Ps Mark, Nina and the whole Emerge Team.

20th March 2020

Hello,

I hope you're not sick of hearing from me...I'll be in your spam folder soon. But everyday things are changing and I'm wanting you to be aware, informed and feeling in control.

This Sunday we begin Emerge Church From Home. At 9.30am and 6pm you'll be able to enjoy Church from the comfort of your home. It's so easy for this to happen.

All you need to do is go to emergechurch.life and click on the very obvious icon and then follow the prompts...in just a few clicks you'll be here with us.

If you feel you don't know what to do or if you run into some difficulties just text 0402807495, leave a message and someone will call you back very soon and get you on. Lets try and get it all set up by 9.15am so by 9.30am everyone is ready to go...No excuses for being late for church now (unless your toast is burning).

Please help us by being in unity. In times like this the enemy will use the confusion to sow discord and I don't want him to have any foothold at all. Please get on board. I know we have never done this before but we haven't been in a situation like this before. Yes it's disruptive, yes it's not optimum, yes we wish it wasn't like this and yes there will probably be some hassles but let's be people that help rather than hinder, cooperate rather berate, encourage rather than discourage. This is a great chance to practice unity not only speak about unity.

On Sunday I have a great message that I believe God has given me for the church. 5 keys from 1Peter 3v8 that will see our church not only survive, but thrive. Make sure you're watching.

To get a sense of belonging we would love you to share pic's of you doing Church From Home using the hashtag #emergechurchfromhome. Let's bring some fun into what's becoming a serious time. 

See you virtually on Sunday 9.30am at emergechurch.life

Much Love and Blessings

Ps Mark

18th March 2020

Well what a day it's been, the Prime Minister with the best interests of Australian's at heart has declared a ban on meetings of over 100. So obviously we are going to abide by that. While our weekly rhythms will change due to whats happening in our nation, our church remains, and is deeply connected. I have detailed some action points below.

CHURCH FROM HOME: We will still be meeting on Sundays. Where we were meeting in three locations we will now meet in 100's of locations... your home will be an EMERGE Church location. We will be sending through the exact details of how this will happen in coming days. It's actually exciting!! 

LIFE GROUPS: Life Groups will still be meeting but in new creative and clever ways, which we will detail to you in coming days.

PASTORAL CARE: We will be here for you. Our staff will all be working and busy contacting people. We have identified at risk people in our congregation and will be making specific calls to make sure their needs are met. The church will not be closed and you are welcome to come and pray... we will have a Pastor available for you. 

OUTREACH: This is a time for the church to shine bright, and we will be giving you ways and opportunities to be used by God at this time.

I want to say right here at the outset, God's Church has never been badly affected by the worlds crisis's. It's always been the Churches chance to bring the Good News. As our society struggles and people are left bereft of comfort and answers, the Church will be like a beacon of light. The church isn't a building, it's you and me and like never before CoronaVirus has given us a direct opportunity to not only tell people about Jesus but to love them in a practical way.

There will be much more info coming your way over the next couple of days. Don't stress, don't fear, don't fret, God is going to get glory from all this and we as a church are only going to get stronger. We love you and will continue to care personally for you.

Love Ps Mark, Nina and the whole Emerge Church team. 

13th March 2020

As I said in last weeks communication, I will continue to update you on the Coronavirus issue in Australia right now.

Ps David and Helen Elder have just recently returned from overseas and have been tested for Coronavirus and praise God the results came back negative so it will be good to see Ps David and Helen enjoying church on the weekend.

This afternoon the Prime Minister has advised that there should be no non-essential gatherings of 500 people for the foreseeable future beginning from Monday 16 March. Though we have more than 500 people attend church on a Sunday, we do not have any single meetings with more than 500 people in attendance so there should be no risk in normal church attendance.

We will continue the measures put into place last week with one extra around our offering.

OFFERING:

We will not pass the offering containers along the rows and would ask that you use online methods or use our text to give facilities. There will be an offering container at the exit of each auditorium door for you to drop your offering into should you not wish to use online methods.

BANK DETAILS:

Emerge Church Ltd

BSB: 034 077

Acc: 473004

TEXT TO GIVE: 0439 739 957….text ‘GIVE’ and follow the prompts.

FOYER:

Hand Sanitiser will be available at the entry of each auditorium. Please use this on entry and exit. 

COMMUNION.:

We will provide pre-packaged communion elements and will place these at each seat so that communion plates do not need to be passed.

GREETING:

We are encouraging waving and smiling rather than handshakes and hugs.

INFORMATION DESKS:

We will provide sanitising wipes at each point and ask that you wipe down the screen after each use.

KIDS:

We will assist you with checking your child into Emerge Kids by manning sign in with a volunteer, ensuring you will not need to touch any screens or keyboards. We will also have hand sanitiser/wipes in the Parents Room and kids rooms. Thank you for your patience and flexibility ahead of time.

Then there's just the common sense things which are a good idea anytime. 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol based hand sanitiser.
• Stay home if you're sick but let us know so we can pray for you.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Once again I want to reiterate we are not ruled by fear and we do believe that God is our protector but it would be remiss of us to disregard community expectations and we want to make Emerge Church somewhere you are proud to invite your friends.

Don’t forget we have Prof. Rikk Watts for a Bible Seminar on ‘Who is Jesus’, 9.30am – 11am on Saturday at our Redcliffe location and also Sunday morning and night at Redcliffe and Warner. I will be preaching at Morayfield this Sunday morning.

Don’t let fear stop you from being there.

Much love and blessings,

Ps Mark

6th March 2020

As you're probably aware Coronavirus has been in the news a lot lately. I know that all these reports will be generating a variety of questions and speculations regarding our response as a church. The following represents our current thinking on the matter as of March 6th 2020. We are of course monitoring all developments in real time and will communicate any updates to these recommendations via email and our church social media.

First, the primary tactic of the enemy is FEAR. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) Our cities, our nation and our communities need a church that is NOT ruled by fear but by FAITH. We trust in a God who is in complete control. (Psalm 91) In this next season, the church has the opportunity to be a calming, stabilising presence in a world of fear, worry and anxiety. So... as this continues to unfold, may we be the people of great faith and NOT ruled by fear. 

Prepared people can lead in crisis with a thoughtful response. Unprepared people can only react. Because we want to be prepared and thoughtful, we are being proactive in the following ways regarding how our church will conduct Sunday Services this weekend.

FOYER:

Hand Sanitiser will be available at the entry of each auditorium. Please use this on entry and exit. 

COMMUNION:

We will provide pre-packaged communion elements and will place these at each seat so that communion plates do not need to be passed.

GREETING:

We are encouraging waving and smiling rather than handshakes and hugs.

INFORMATION DESKS:

We will provide sanitising wipes at each point and ask that you wipe down the screen after each use.

KIDS:

We will assist you with checking your child into Emerge Kids by manning sign in with a volunteer, ensuring you will not need to touch any screens or keyboards. Thank you for your patience and flexibility ahead of time.

Then there's just the common sense things which are a good idea anytime.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol based hand sanitiser.

• Stay home if you're sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Let me restate clearly here, that we are not controlled by fear, we very much realise that Coronavirus has essentially had very little actual impact here in Brisbane, but that also it's something our community is very focused upon, so we have to do something to in response to community expectations.

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday I'm preaching at Redcliffe and Warner and Ps Nina is at Morayfield with Ps Julie at Night.

Much Love and Blessings

Ps Mark