“We will not be able to help everyone, but we will be able to help those who have nothing”

This was what the president of an African national church said during one of four meetings this week to organize a global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It summarizes our leaders’ understanding that the challenge before us is beyond our capacity, but God has given the necessary provision to His people, and we have the resolve to share it with those most in need in the communities we serve.

Many Christian and Missionary Alliance churches have started projects to tackle the challenges posed by the pandemic. They are educating communities about COVID-19, making and distributing soup, masks and gel, serving meals, visiting and helping the elderly, promoting farming in rural areas, distributing food packages, and so on. Jesus is a compassionate Savior and His church is demonstrating that same compassion.

The churches are experiencing a renewal and growth in people attending online during the pandemic. Almost all churches have conducted services and prayer meetings remotely. Families of church members, and even people unknown to the church, are attending the meetings. A Bible college in the Middle East saw the number of students rise from 60 to more than 200 after the pandemic started. Hospitals are requesting dozens of Bibles. Pastors and church members are visiting, praying for or walking with people who feel alone. God is at work and His Church is ministering accordingly.

Pastors have had to adapt quickly to the new reality, and many of them are working even more to care for church members and respond to new demands created by the pandemic. Pastors are seeking additional training in online communication for more effective pastoring and outreach.

Church finances have been greatly affected by the pandemic, especially in regions with fewer resources and where church members work on a day-to-day basis. From the testimony of many national church presidents, it has become clear that our global response needs to also look after Alliance pastors and their families. Many pastors and leaders are feeling stressed by the new situation and its demands.

In a first step toward a global response to COVID-19, nearly 100 representatives from 38 AWF member countries came together in four meetings from May 11-13 to share their views and experiences. On May 15, a task force formed by the representatives of the Relief and Development ministries of USA, Canada, Netherlands and others will meet with the Executive Committee of the Alliance World Fellowship to consider their next steps in this project.

We count on your prayers.