By: Michael Reel
Something For Sunday
As the COVID-19 global health crisis continues to cripple this country and many aspects of our daily lives and economy, churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship have been forced to find new and creative ways to remain in communication with their congregants while exploring and even creating innovative ways to fellowship and worship.
Located in Southern California’s South Bay community, Restoration Life Church is a Sunday morning worship destination. In response to the pandemic, Restoration recently created and launched a 6:00 p.m. service held on the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean in the city of Hermosa Beach.
“The building is not the church; the people are the church and wherever the church is that’s where the people are,” stated Pastor Eddie Vargas. “In 2020 the church has left the building; let’s go to the beach and worship Jesus together.”
Because of the global pandemic, local and state government-mandated shutdowns, traditional worship services across all denominations have been shuttered. “People love being at the beach and it’s a lot easier to do that; you’ve got the sand, the ocean and the fresh air,” expressed Pastor Vargas.
As a veteran pastor, church and community leader, oftentimes neighboring pastors and lay leaders call upon Pastor Eddie for knowledge and guidance when faced with difficult challenges like the current pandemic. “No pastor that I am aware of has ever been trained for a pandemic,” stated Pastor Vargas. “In this season the best thing pastors can do is get alongside other pastors that are healthy and creative and help them navigate the obstacles as well as helping them be restored in this climate.”
In addition to speaking with Pastor Eddie, Reel Urban News spoke with church members and several other church leaders currently serving the Christian community of Restoration Life.
Co-Pastor Roxanne Vargas, who leads Restoration Life’s Women’s Ministry, provided perspective on maintaining the family during this challenging time. “It’s definitely the Lord who has been able to help us navigate through this time,” said Pastor Roxanne.
A mother and grandmother, Pastor Roxanne understands the challenges confronting young mothers and families at Restoration Life Church. “It’s a lot but finding creative ways to keep their children entertained with school work and then with bible study and also being able to get the kids out of the house — so we all encourage one another.”
It was through a Facebook post that Reel Urban News initially learned Restoration Life Church was worshiping on the seaside in Hermosa Beach. The very next week our cameras and producing team were on hand. We spoke with Michael and Ryan, who were both in attendance of the first seaside worship service.
With an enthusiastic voice, Michael, a pink afro-pick strategically placed in his black and gold perfectly cropped afro, gave a brief description of what the first week of seaside worship was like. “Super awesome — we had baptism — we had worship and Pastor Eddie brought an amazing word. I think one of my favorite things about it was seeing different church communities and different people from different walks of life coming together.”
“We are the church,” added Ryan, who also attended Restoration Life Church’s initial Hermosa Beach worship service. While keeping a watchful eye on his son, Ryan shared a little bit more. “There are multiple churches that are here — just kind of meeting. Even the cops rolled up and they gave us comforting words like ‘Hey guys, keep going.’”
The oldest of her siblings and a second-year member of Restoration Life Church, Yelitza Lopez works with church merchandise and marketing. She spoke with passion about a perfect relationship with God. “He should be your first love and everything just flows after that.”
Passionate about her faith, Yelitza disclosed that several of her family members contracted COVID-19. “Talking with my family, we’ve hit some bumps in the road, but it’s just time to push through the rough waters and the Lord is going to part the sea for us.”
At the close of his sermon, Pastor Eddie provides an invitation to all to join Restoration Life Church and even be baptized following service in the Pacific Ocean. The duties of baptism fell upon trusted associate and Youth Pastor Maximilian Youell.
Max spoke from the heart regarding Restoration Life Church’s ability to find function while still in a pandemic. “We wanted to use our best giftings and abilities to bring the community back together and love on one another and share the Word with one another and really show the church is essential. Pastor Eddie understands that and he’s led by the Holy Spirit.”
