Less than three years ago, the world fell into a chaotic reality dominated by Zoom, sick days, and face masks. Churches were hit hard. Small ones were hit harder. But at Macy Christian, Clint Manning says the pandemic sparked needed progress.

Macy, Indiana is located about 20 miles north of Peru. According to the last census, the quiet town’s population sits around 250, but the streets surrounding the church host mostly abandoned buildings. Manning, an elder at Macy Christian, said its size severely hinders the church’s ability to offer the same sort of outreach activities larger congregations can easily manage.