2020 North America Region End of Year Message

Habakkuk’s opening questions powerfully resonate with our experiences through the unexplainable realities of 2020. “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you ‘Violence!’ and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise (v. 2-3).” In the raw emotion of the prophet’s pondering and reflection God poignantly answers. “Look among the nations and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told (v.5).”

God understands the challenges that we are each walking in during the global pandemic that’s entering a second wave in most places. God also reminds us that as He does His work in the most difficult of circumstances, His redemptive purposes among the nations will cause us to wonder and be astounded beyond belief.

Both the U.S. and Canadian Alliance began 2020 with the decision to evacuate personnel from one of our Middle East locations due to a politically motivated crisis. Both of our churches are facing similar challenges related to the Coronavirus. During the past nine months, our pastors and churches have experienced pressures, fear and setbacks that defy anything that we could have expected. Most churches have resumed meeting in-person while also conducting online services. The attendance in many is only at the 20% mark of pre-COVID levels. One leader summed it up by saying that moving forward with Sunday services is easily twice the work at only a fraction of the impact with people.

How we talk and think about race also has become prominent in the backdrop of “black lives matter” and needs to be worked out delicately and with wisdom at all levels in North America. Raw emotional responses, agitation, anxiety and anger that seems shocking, unexpected and unprecedented is brewing under the surface and regularly boiling over.

COVID-19 is forcing the North American church to re-evaluate and to respond with fresh longing to walk intimately with God and into revival and renewal of the heart, soul and spirit. Church as primarily a Sunday celebration ingathering is no longer satisfying. The church as an outgoing society unleashing the gospel into the storm that is upon us is what our souls long for. A key question is whether a focus on the nations will again be the main thing across the Alliance in line with our historical DNA. Giving toward missions has been stronger than expected, which is a huge encouragement. The Fourfold Gospel focusing upon the centrality of Jesus has never been more appropriate than today. Fresh methods in mission are being courageously explored among the migrant neighbors God has delivered to our doorsteps. Digital communication systems are being introduced and used, bringing new ways of doing evangelism and making disciples. Integrating with other Alliance nations in mission efforts in the 10/40 window is dynamically emerging. Adversity and suffering are pioneers for spiritual freshness that launches innovation and invention. Alliance leadership both sides of the border desire revival, not a return to normal. May we seize the God-sized opportunity predicted in Habakkuk.

Respectfully,

Rev. Brem Frentz
Regional Coordinator North America Region