It’s happening. In a world where it seems everything has stopped, God’s mission is moving forward.
Pastors and missionaries all over North America are loving their neighbors and sharing the gospel. Their stories tell how the love of God is bigger and more powerful than even a global pandemic.
Read and listen to the stories below to learn how even now—especially now—the mission is moving forward.
‘Class of 2019’ church plants turn challenges into ministry opportunities
Church planting missionaries expect obstacles when launching new ministries in parts of North America that need gospel-proclaiming churches. For the “class of 2019” Southern Baptist church plants that launched last year, persisting in the face of a global pandemic was not something they could have planned for.
“What looked like a challenge became an opportunity,” said Akeem Smith, lead church planter of Storyline Church in Oakland, Calif., about facing the hurdles created by COVID-19.
One nearby resident heard about Storyline’s launch in September 2019 and had interest at the time, but she was tentative about coming to a service. When she saw that Storyline was going online, however, she decided to tune in.
“She came to Christ after hearing that message and joined an online virtual new members class. She is now a member of the church and is connected to a life group,” Smith said.
For Such a Time as This
Several years ago, when churches in New Orleans banded together to start a series of health clinics in medically underserved neighborhoods, they didn’t know what was coming. But God did. Listen to how those churches are now able to share Christ in communities that have be hardest hit by COVID-19.
Responding in love during the coronavirus pandemic
I 'm accustomed to making changes slowly. I’m Korean American, and I helped replant and pastor a historic Hispanic church in Los Angeles (LA)—which means, change is slow. So far, this slow change has been deemed wise, and appreciated by the original, mostly older, church members.
But COVID-19 (the new coronavirus) has dramatically changed that slow pace, and we’re now having to make sudden, drastic changes every week.
Last Sunday, we livestreamed our service for the first time, and next week we’ll be 100% online. Last minute changes have been both scary and exciting at the same time.
While our church is adjusting to the change, we’ve also seen how God has used this unsettling season for good. As a church, we want to lovingly care for our neighbors that are also wrestling with a lot fear.COVID-19.
#TheMissionMovesForward
There are thousands more stories just like these. One of them might be yours. We want you to tell everyone how God is moving the mission forward in your world. Join the conversation at #themissionmovesforward.