TFL’s COVID-19 Response Page

How your church can help…

The Church Ambassador Network team has reached out to the Governor’s office, local mayors, and community organizations to find out our communities deepest needs during this crisis. We have universally found 4 key areas Iowans need assistance: blood centers, childcare, food banks, and senior meal delivery. We are working to provide ways for the Church to assist in each of these.

If your church is interested in helping please fill out this form and our Church Ambassador Network team will reach out and connect you with ways to help meet those needs. Download>> FORM LINK

Click here >> for the If 7:14 Prayer Plan for the global response
to the coronavirus.

Church Guidelines for Re-Opening
– CAN Guidelines, Principles, and Recommendations >>Click here
– CAN Pautas, Principios y Recomendaciones >>Click here
– Iowa Department of Public Health Guidelines For Gatherings >>Click here
– Iowa Department of Public Health Guidelines for Parking Lot
Services >>Click here

1. Sustaining a Distant Church During the Coronavirus Pandemic
>>Click here

2. *NEW – Guidelines and recommendations for reopening Iowa churches >>Click here

3. Pastoral Care and Discipleship in a Time of Crisis >>Click here

4. Four Powerful Ways Pastors Can Shepherd through the Coronavirus Pandemic >>Click here

1. 10 guidelines for pastoral care during the coronavirus outbreak
>>Click here

2. Self-Care for the Weary Pastor – Focus on the Family >>Click here

3. How to Care for Your Mental Health During COVID-19 >>Click here

1. Ten Ways Your Marriage Can Survive the Coronavirus Quarantine – Focus on the Family >>Click here

2. How to Grow Closer to Your Spouse During COVID-19 >>Click here

3. Parenting During Coronavirus: Help Your Family Stick Together and Work Through Tough Emotions >>Click here

Greg Baker, TFL’s Vice President of Church Engagement, and his counter-part in Indiana, Josh Hershberger, recorded a series of video conversations on the tension between the government’s response to the virus and religious liberty. Josh is both a pastor and an attorney, who has defended religious liberty in court. He has a heart for the governing authority and for the Church. Check out the discussion series below:

Video 1: Is government violating the first amendment? >>Click here to watch video
Video 2: Balancing the tension. >>Click here to watch video
Video 3: When should churches be allowed to hold in-person services again? >>Click here to watch video

Iowa currently has widespread need for PPE, personal protective equipment, across the entire state. Face masks are the most limited in supplies. The Governor has asked Iowans to assist by making face masks at home and donating them to places in need. If this is something you or your church are willing to assist reach out to us at [email protected] or your local emergency management agency. Each county in Iowa has a coordinator you can work with. Those contacts can be found at Homeland Security .pdf.

Directions: Make a homemade mask
-Resource #1: The Iowa Department of Public Health has created guidelines on how to create an effective homemade face mask. >> instructions
-Resource #2 >> instructions
-resource #3 >> instructions

The CARES Act, which stands for the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act,” was signed into law on March 27th. It was passed to address the economic fallout to families, businesses, and non-profits including churches of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic in the United States.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having negative effect on both the day-to-day operations and possibility the long-term operation of many churches and churches. Though many churches may choose to not accept or pursue what this legislation provides, we want to provide you with some resources to help you navigate this legislation.

CARES Act resources:

Eligibility Requirements: >> click here
Religious Liberty and CARES Act: >> click here
ECFA CARES Act resource: >> click here
Official Government online application portal: >> click here
Unemployment Insurance Extension for non-profits, including churches: >> click here
Paycheck Protection Program Borrower Application: >>click here
Paycheck Protection Program Information Sheet: >>click here
Paycheck Protection Program Overview: >>click here

LifeServe is Iowa’s sole provider of blood and blood products to the region’s 120 hospitals. Their blood supplies are very low, and they are asking for help from the community. We have reached out to learn ways you and your Church can assist. If you would like to give blood personally reach out to LifeServe at www.lifeservebloodcenter.org. If your church is interested in hosting a blood drive reach out to us at [email protected] and we will connect you to your closest blood center.