Coffee Break: Being Together While Apart

One of our core values in the Coffee Break ministry is the desire and willingness to meet together to study the Bible. Coffee Break was started so that you could invite your neighbors and share a cup of coffee while studying the Bible. It is this casual atmosphere that has helped Coffee Break leaders invite their neighbors to study God's Word. Many groups have created a strong bond born through this time of fellowship and discipleship. Now we are in a time where that fellowship is being tested due to the social restrictions of the Covid-19 virus.

Thankfully, we live in a time where technology can allow us to continue to meet together and continue studying God's Word. We are able to still meet, though virtually, and share stories, comments, insights, and smiles. We can still discover the Bible together!

In this post, I will be sharing some resources that will allow your group to meet virtually. In the coming days and weeks, there will be additional information on how to run an online meeting and how to care for members from a distance. These resources are not what's most important, after all, you could always just pick up the phone and call someone. What's important, now more than ever, is to stay connected. Give these resources a try and if they won't for you or your group, then try something else. 

Free virtual meeting resources:

• Zoom 
  • Zoom is one of the most popular virtual meeting programs in the world. The free version will allow your group to meet for up to 40 minutes. This software is very easy to use and works on a phone or computer. Zoom is also great for members who can't connect online because you can also join the meeting by phone. 
• Google resources: offered free through your Google account. Most people do not realize Google already offers several resources for free to all of it's Gmail users. Next time you log in to Gmail just click on the nine dots (usually on the right of the screen) and you will find a listing of several Google apps. If you don't have a Google account, you can easily create a Gmail account and have access to their other apps.
  • Google Hangouts
    • This meeting app can be used on just about any device. You can have multiple people on the call at one time. You can even use the share screen feature and show people something from your computer.
  • Google Duo
    • This meeting app is best for video phone calls. In fact, you don't even need a Google account to use it. If you are familiar with Whatsapp, this app is very similar. 
• FreeConferenceCall.com 
  • A fairly easy to use conference call program. The instructions for using the program are right on their main page!
• GoToMeeting 
  • The free version of this popular app will allow you to meet with up to 3 people for 40 minutes. If you are looking to do a short one on one meeting, this is a good option.