BE THE BRANCH
Pruning and Purification Encounter Online Provides Platform for Growth “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 opportunity to step out of the painful silence of
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isolation and into community. he image painted through the words of Jesus in John 15 is one of growth—
Through Encounter Online, hundreds of
a deep inner work that produces a
individuals were able to participate in Support
beautiful sweet fruit that reflects the goodness
and Recovery groups over the three-and-a-half
of the Father. This is fruit the participants
months of in-home quarantine. A large number
in Encounter know well. In the Encounter
of these individuals, some of whom had never
community, any fruit reflects the strength
stepped foot in a Southeast campus, continued to
and resilience it takes to endure the painful
stay connected as Encounter began regathering in
“pruning and purification” necessary to remain in
the first week of July.
relationship with Jesus and one another. This community exemplifies what it means to do the painful inner work required to stay connected
Encounter is a community of
to the life-giving, fruit-producing power of Jesus.
people seeking healing and
Encounter is a community of people seeking healing and hope through prayer, worship, testimonies, teaching, and support and
hope through prayer, worship, testimonies, teaching, and support and recovery groups.
recovery groups.
Encounter Online
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The success of attendance in the Teen Support Group, for example, is a result of Encounter Online
Formed almost instantly out of the COVID-19
participation. Students participating in in-person
pandemic, Encounter Online provided the
gatherings have almost all been connected via
opportunity for many to maintain—or be
our online presence. A group that wouldn’t have
introduced to—this vital connection to Jesus and
developed otherwise has been formed and is
one another. With meetings available four days a
creating space for community and friendship in a
week via Zoom, participants were given the
season where isolation is so easy to fall into.
