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When the COVID-19 crisis first hit our area, I did as many pastors and ministry leaders did, I prayed. I asked God for direction and what to do. I clearly felt God's direction was to keep doing what we are doing.
Two weeks after most churches canceled services, we were still having Wednesday night Bible study. Then, Gov. Kay Ivey ordered there should not be gatherings with more than 10 people. So, we added another mobile outreach to our schedule for Wednesday nights to replace Bible study. We also started meeting needs of the homeless and needy on campus differently by doing everything outside except for the showers and laundry, of course.
We started moving people through quicker, but still making sure we made time for praying and talking with people. We found out about some areas where people were in need of food, so we began more mobile outreaches ... taking Jesus and food to more people.
My heart hurt as I saw so many people struggling; people who were doing good before losing their jobs due to the crisis. As more places closed, I sought God's continual guidance. I cried tears of sadness for those suffering, tears of joy for God telling us to keep going, and tears of determination to be obedient to God.
During one of our outreaches, God gave me a vision of an orchard with trees filled with fruit. I clearly heard, not with an audible voice, but in my heart, God say, "The harvest is ripe. Start picking." So, without questioning Him, we have continued with the ministry God has called us to, and we have already seen a harvest reaped. So far, 45 people have made decisions for Jesus since the coronavirus crisis began, seven have been baptized.
We have been scattering many seeds of the Gospel in the hearts of thousands of people. A great harvest is coming. People are open to the Gospel more than I've ever seen in the U.S. It is time to be spreading the Gospel and meeting needs. It's what God's church does. It's what the church has always done.
I told our small staff and volunteers at the beginning that if they felt uncomfortable doing ministry during the crisis they did not have to do it. Some of our wonderful volunteers have stopped during the crisis, mainly because they are in the older age bracket, which has been the most susceptible to the virus. We miss them tremendously, and look forward to when they can return.
New volunteers have joined us, and they have been a tremendous blessing. When our other volunteers return we are going to have a tremendous army of volunteers to serve.
We have witnessed some intense salvation moments, amazing times of prayer, and overwhelming provision from God. Every need is being met. Recently I thought about the Israelites when they were wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. Day by day God met all of their needs. They had food, water, and their clothes and sandals never wore out. We are seeing God's provision daily. Sometimes Martha and I just cry tears of joy because of being overwhelmed by our Father's great provision.
He is working through His people. Day-in and day-out people are coming by LIA with donations of food, cleaning supplies and more. People are donating finances to keep us going strong and having all of our financial obligations met.
While I hurt to see so many people struggle and suffer due to loss of jobs, and hearing about those who are sick and have died from the virus, I am excited about what God is doing. He is moving mightily in the middle of this crisis.
Idols have been taken away - sports, entertainment, economy, church buildings - and God is clearly saying "Worship Me and Me alone." As more and more people are turning to Jesus, we are going to see a lot of great things happen as we move through and come out of the crisis.
I firmly believe those who are moving with God and being obedient to what He is saying will see amazing things happen in them and through them. Those who don't listen and obey will get left behind.
Let's keep praying and keep moving forward in Jesus. Together, we are doing what God has called us to do. We can't do it without everyone supporting us through prayer, finances, donations, and volunteers. Let's do what Jesus tells us in His Great Commission, let's, "Go and make disciples."
