When the federal government came to a standstill, so did the paychecks for many who call Virginia Hills Church home.

With the church’s proximity to Washington, D.C., it’s not unusual for members to work in federal agencies or with government contractors. But as the recent, record-breaking shutdown stretched on, that connection brought new challenges.

Some members were furloughed and sent home without pay. Others were required to keep reporting to work even as their paychecks stopped. Still others, as contract employees, faced uncertainty about whether their jobs would continue at all.

“As the shutdown dragged on, it came to our attention that these families of ours were starting to feel the pinch financially,” said the church’s leadership team.

Virginia Hills Church in Front Royal had already prepared for moments like this. Each year, the congregation sets aside five percent of its budget for benevolence needs, a fund reserved to meet practical needs within the body. As soon as the situation became clear, the church began using those resources to help affected families with essentials like utilities and groceries.

Then the church invited the entire congregation to join the effort. A simple QR code gave members two options: request prayer and support if they were furloughed, or volunteer to help others in need. Each person who reached out received a personal phone call from a pastor—an intentional step to listen, pray, and understand how the church could walk alongside them.

After just two Sundays of sharing the opportunity, the response was overwhelming. Three times as many people offered help as those who asked for it.

That kind of generosity doesn’t surprise the team at Virginia Hills, but it does inspire gratitude.

“We’re thankful for the way our church family has stepped up to care for one another,” the team said. “We pray that more, because we know there are more, workers and families will allow us to serve and love them the way they’ve served and loved our church.”

Through faith, generosity, and community, God is providing for his people once again…reminding everyone at Virginia Hills that even in uncertain times, his church is never closed. And they’re not alone. Across the Converge movement, churches are following God’s leading to serve their communities by providing food, supplies, and support to those affected by the shutdown.

Together, you are showing what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus when the world around them comes to a halt.