Sometimes it’s hard getting out the door, especially on weekend mornings. For those who can’t make it to church in person, Kokomo-based Pastor Randy Kerr broadcasts his in-person Eagles Wings Fellowship sermon on YouTube, with viewers spanning from Kokomo to Europe.
But Eagles Wings Fellowship church was close to not having a meeting place for their live-stream fellowship. Kerr and his wife signed the closing papers for their home, where fellowship now happens, on the day that Kokomo shut down due to COVID in March of 2020.
Kerr’s small group started meeting shortly after the papers were signed and they moved into their home, which they open up to the community for anyone who wants to attend an in-person sermon on Sundays.
“This home was actually owned by a pastor before us,” Kerr says. “I don’t believe in coincidences. It was an ordained type of thing that worked out that way.”
Kerr has been active in ministry for over 36 years. He started as a drummer, choir member, and a backup vocalist with the praise and worship team at his former church, then lead vocalist with the praise and worship team. In the midst of all of this, he also devoted time to obtaining his ordination through his church’s bible school and additional online study. He holds a bachelor’s degree in pastoral studies.
“The idea for Eagles Wings Fellowship has always been in the back of my mind,” Kerr says. “I was in prayer, and this image came to mind. I roughed out a sketch of what I wanted the Eagles Wings logo to look like and shot it over to a friend who was a graphic designer, and went from there.”
Kerr’s overarching vision for his home-church fellowship is based on his belief that smaller churches in a more intimate setting allow for the members to truly connect and get their heart right with the lord, and hear what he has to say.
“I personally don’t believe in the megachurch,” Kerr says. “A member can attend a church with 500 people, or thousands, and hide. They want to check a box. They hear a good message that is emotionally or intellectually stimulating but they might not be connecting. I believe in the home-church so much because it breeds intimacy that you read about in the New Testament.”
Likeminded and like-faith members meet at Kerr’s home where they enjoy fellowship and share meals together – something they’ve been doing every Sunday since its inception. This supports Kerr’s goal of building intimacy through teaching and Bible study, which members can attend on Monday evenings.
Though Eagles Wings Fellowship is a small group, Kerr knew they had a global vision, and they found a way to fulfill it.
“Wanting to live-stream our services on YouTube and Facebook happened to coincide with staying home because of COVID, so it just amplified our idea that this was a good medium to broadcast to the masses with,” he says.
Kerr also recognizes that some members of Eagles Wings Fellowship, and viewers far and wide on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, might hit a midday slump.
“Some people hit that slump and get a cup of coffee,” Kerr says, adding that the broadcast is called “A Time With Him!” for those wanting to check it out online. “I thought, ‘Why don’t I broadcast something around that time?’ I wanted to give our viewers something to think about with their cup of coffee. So everyday at noon I record and post an encouraging word and put it on all of our social pages. People can look us up, get a verse and explanation, and hopefully feel a little inspiration for the rest of the day.”
Going forward, Eagles Wings Fellowship won’t turn into a brick-and-mortar church, although Kerr has thought about it. He feels they should remain a home-church, and that if members want to go out on their own and start their own small groups – almost like satellite churches – then that is the way they will grow.
In-person service times are Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and Mondays at 6 p.m. at 734 Santa Fe Boulevard in Kokomo. You can find Eagles Wings Fellowship on YouTube @ewfbroadcast91.
