Asking God ‘How’ And Not ‘Why’
It is beyond doubt that we are living in very unprecedented times. As the world grinds to a halt, and global travel and trade come to a standstill, all while the virus continues to claim thousands of lives, we see the physical, mental and economic impact this pandemic is having on brothers and sisters around the world daily. Yet, in these strange and challenging times, we also see stories of hope, faith, and provision.
In this edition of The Church in The Pandemic, read the story of Michael Chrisdion, who is the CTCAP Network Leader in Indonesia. Michael also pastors Gibeon Church, a gospel-centered church, in Surabaya, Indonesia.
CTCAP church planter, Abet Almanza shares his story of planting a church amid the pandemic in the highly urbanized city of Makati in Manila, Philippines, with a population of 5 million people by day and just a tenth of that by night.
Gibeon Church in the Pandemic
In the midst of the escalating COVID-19 situation, Gibeon Church has responded to the call to rise up and aid the city to fight the spread of COVID-19 by spearheading a massive relief effort in the city. In April, the church purchased and distributed two tons of rice. Several members from the congregation have also contributed oil, sugar, salt and other essential rations to hundreds of unemployed and disadvantaged houses. The task of distribution proved to be a mammoth one, and so Gibeon Church partnered and collaborated with volunteers from numerous other churches across denominations to pull it off. It is encouraging to see the body of Christ unite in aiding the city in need. The people who received the aid were Christians and non-Christians alike and all were blessed by the positive initiative taken by the church. This is the gospel in action!
In addition, Gibeon Church also procured and distributed COVID-19 testing kits. In April, they have worked closely with a non-profit organization called Medicare Indonesia to distribute over 2,000 kits to different clinics via the Doctors & Nurses Association. These kits were provided at no cost to individuals showing symptoms of the virus.
In further support of this COVID-19 testing initiative, Gibeon Church have been walking the extra mile and have been providing clinics with portable screening rooms, sanitizers, liquid soap and even Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits (including hazmat suits, masks, goggles and gloves) for the doctors and nurses in the front line.
Pastor Michael encourages us to ask God how we can help the community and how the gospel can shine in the midst of this pandemic, instead of asking the ‘why?’ question. What is God saying to us in this situation and how can we bring our cities to the knowledge of the hope presented by the gospel through this pandemic?
Hebrews 10:24 calls us to "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
We would love to hear your stories. Stories where church planters are on the offensive (whether through evangelism, justice and mercy, projects to get supplies to healthcare workers, or any work that is being driven by your love for others in these times of COVID -19) and not just the defensive, to highlight what we are doing and can do creatively to spread the gospel and the love of Jesus in these times.
Do you have a story to share? Get in touch with us at ben.thomas@citytocityasiapacific.com
We want to pray with you and stand by you through this. So we invite you to also share stories of any struggles you’re facing in dealing with the situation surrounding your family or your church in these times.