In a time of daily uncertainty, we hold fast to the faithfulness of our Father. We trust him. We know God is still on the throne and has promised to unleash his unlimited resources for the fulfillment of his kingdom purposes. We are trusting the One who has been faithful in the past to be faithful in the future through his sovereign love.
I know that for some of you these days may also bring a time of financial uncertainty. Churches are meeting online and technology is being maximized, yet some of us are starting to face weighty budget realities at home and at work.
Many are asking how our Global Partners missionaries are doing. Several families closest to the coronavirus epicenter have had to depart from the field. The majority are self-quarantining in their country. Many of the strategies that our teams have already been using for years may also be helpful to you in this time as you connect virtually with friends and family.
- Discovery Bible Study: Many of our teams use this method to study the Bible with new friends or new believers. Host a virtual small group and share with someone who wants to learn more about the Bible.
- Online Zoom Prayer Gatherings: Invite a small group to gather in prayer at a specific time. One missionary serving near the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak continued to connect via ZOOM with locals for prayer and encouragement. May we be just as innovative in engaging our communities.
Many are also asking, “What can I do to help?”
- We are so thankful for your continued giving to support the mission that matters most — even amidst these days of global crisis. Our missionary teams are remaining in their homes around the world — reaching out with the love and hope of Jesus to the friends and communities they are close to in these times of quarantine, just as you and I are trying to as well.
- Many Wesleyans are on the frontline continuing Jesus’ ministry of healing the sick. Global Partners Health Network (GPHN) is a community of believers who use their gifts, strengths, time and prayers to demonstrate Christ’s love through healing. Let’s pray for those serving the sick around the world. You can learn more about Global Partners Health Network here.
We trust that God can use our obedience to bring gospel access to some of the 4 in 10 people that have no community witness of Christ. Millions are being forced to face their mortality. It is urgent that each and every one of them hears the good news — in the here, near and far places, no matter how hard.
Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus through this crisis. We trust him to give us his wisdom, and we will not be driven by fear. We press on, confident that the Good Shepherd is leading and caring for us all.
Dr. Dennis Jackson is executive director of Global Partners.
