11 Apr Update on the COVID-19 Care Team

I really miss playing football–but probably not for the reasons most people think.

Over 16 years of playing, I scored lots of touchdowns and won lots of games.  But, do you know why I miss it so much? I don’t miss football because of the touchdowns, or because of the wins or the thrill of playing in front of large crowds. I miss football because of the one thing I experienced off the field that produced the success on the field: the sense of TEAM.

What I miss is the brotherhood I had with my teammates, the camaraderie, the “we are in this together and nothing is going to tear us apart” stick-to-itiveness that is willing to stare down every obstacle, look every adversary square in the eye and press on–because you know the person next to you is depending on you, and you are depending on them. That’s what I miss.

There’s just something about being on a team like that, about being part of a people who are committed to one another and achieving something together. And honestly, that’s why I love our church family so much, and why I am so incredibly grateful that the Lord has placed me here at Mosaic!

For nearly 18 years now I have seen us, as a people, stare down some pretty intimidating obstacles, lock arms, trust God, and “take the field” together in our pursuit of God’s heart and God’s glory.  I can tell you that for me, the successes we have seen Jesus accomplish in and through our church family have been far more rewarding than any touchdown or championship I ever experienced in football.

This COVID-19 crisis we face today is yet another adversary that has sought to run roughshod over us, our city, our nation, even our world– and yet again by God’s grace, I have seen “Team Mosaic” respond to that challenge and rise to the occasion. When COVID-19 said, “You have to separate and isolate”, we said, “Zoom! How you like me now?”

When COVID-19 said, “You can’t gather to worship”, we gathered around our computers and screens united in heart and God has sent that streaming further than we could have ever imagined. We have people from nations on the other side of the world gathering with us now. And when COVID-19 said, “I’m going to tear your city apart with fear,” we have rallied together to bring healing to our city with the incredible love of Christ.

So Mosaic family, I know we are what we are by God’s grace alone, but I have to tell you, as a long-time member and pastor, I am so incredibly proud of what I am seeing. I know we don’t all get to see it because we are separated, but I wanted to take a moment to tell you what I am seeing, to show you why I’m honored to be part of this TEAM! Here are two updates:

Care Team

Two weeks ago we launched an initiative to form a Care Team that would enable us to respond to the many needs COVID-19 has created in people’s lives. This team already consists of 82 volunteers from South Austin to Georgetown who are willing to step into the trenches by doing grocery store runs, picking up medications, praying for people over the phone, reaching out to others with encouragement or just being a  listening ear and a good friend, delivering meals to families in need, reminding people they are seen and loved and cared about during their time of isolation.

One Care Team member recently brought groceries to a 67 year-old widow in Pflugerville, who was moved to tears when the groceries were delivered. Knowing there was someone she could count on, she then asked if we could help her mow her yard because her lawn service was no longer going to be able to do it. Another Care Team member helped her mow her yard. And, just the other day I received a call from her where she simply said she needed some advice and knew that Mosaic was a place she could find people she knew she could trust, people who cared about her. Though she has never stepped foot in our church building, she has experienced God’s heart through Team Mosaic, and this is just one example of one life.

We continue to have needs come in, and we are anticipating that number will only continue to increase in the weeks to come, with the peak of COVID-19 expected in early May. By God’s grace and through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our Care Team we will continue to serve and love our city in its greatest moment of need. If you’d like to join the Care Team simply fill out our Need Help/Give Help form online.

Distribution Center

We launched the Mosaic Distribution Center nearly two weeks ago and have had a great response there as well. Donations and supplies are ready and we are about to begin distributing items as needs increase and availability in stores is likely to decrease. When I posted the schedule saying we needed 30 people to serve in the distribution center every Wednesday night and Saturday morning for the next 5 weeks, every volunteer slot was filled within 2 hours of me posting it. I have watched members of Mosaic put on gloves, strap on masks, sanitize toys and cans and cereal boxes, and do whatever needs to be done with a smile on their face and a song in their heart. I’ve watched vehicle after vehicle pull up to our curb with craft supplies, canned goods, toys, toilet paper, educational supplies and more, asking what else can they do to help.

So, if you’d like to bring non-perishable food items or supplies by the Distribution Center, we will be in the MKids Worship Center Wednesdays 6:00-8:00pm and Saturdays 10:00am-12:00pm for the next few weeks.

COVID-19 has shaken our world to its core. But, I have total faith and confidence that this truly is our finest hour, that our God is at work in our world, and that when this is all over with the name of Jesus will resound across the nations. Though there are many reasons for concern, I am looking to the people God has placed around me – my Mosaic family, and I know that together we will overcome. Go Team!

Sincerely,

Brett Millican