CLEVELAND — For Pastor Larry Macon Jr., 2020 has been a year of learning and shared experiences.
“It's been very hard and very challenging to see so many people hurting and afraid. But I'm more resilient than ever to continue to bring hope,” Macon Jr. said.
Macon Jr. is a co-pastor at Mt. Zion of Oakwood Village, a Baptist church that is one of the largest churches in the greater Cleveland area.
Being a beacon of hope that so many look to in times of crisis, he and his congregation adapted quickly to the new normal.
Pre-pandemic, his church would welcome as many as 3,000 people for weekend services and events.
“Of course, when the pandemic hit, we totally retrofitted the church for social distancing. We began to drive in service where people could worship from the outside and we've boosted our online ministry for those that can't come out at all,” Macon Jr. said.
Macon Jr. has devoted his life to helping others.
And during the COVID-19 pandemic, that devotion only became stronger.
“People love to know that every Sunday they can come in, they can see their pastors. They can see their friends and family, even if they're in cars or they see us outside on the stage. I think we just give them hope every single week to help them through the next week. And so I love just being there and just showing up and saying, you're going to be OK. We believe that God's going to see it through,” Macon Jr. said.
He said the church is adapting to the times to allow church-goers to continue their faith during a time when they didn’t have much else to lean on.
“Well, everybody’s looking like I want to get rid of 2020. But sometimes you have to say, 'well, I’ve learned some things,' and I just hope people get lessons and they realize that in 2021, maybe they'll live their life better," Macon Jr. said.
"Maybe they'll take advantage of more things that they didn't take advantage of before the pandemic. And so, I think people can do better because they can learn from the challenges that they've had.”
As 2020 comes to an end, Macon Jr. shared some lessons he’s learned.
“I've learned that you have to adapt, and I'm learning that you can do without some things. And there's a lot of things that we're learning to live without right now, but we're doing OK. And that's what we have to hang our hat on, is that even with less, we can still do more,” said Macon Jr.
He also said he hopes people enter the New Year with renewed strength.
“I love to motivate people. I love to share what I believe with others. And I like to see people feel better. I know a lot of people come to me that feel down, and I just want to say, I want to lift them up and say, 'this is the hope that you need, and you can do better.' I want to lift their spirits,” Macon Jr. said.
Because if 2020 taught him anything, it’s that we shouldn’t take life for granted.
“Enjoy your life because we see that you could be here today and gone tomorrow. But you are still here. And because of that, you should enjoy it and you should live it to the fullest,” Macon Jr. said.