Mobilizing Missionaries into the Covid Chaos
Calling all missionaries:
In a time like this, Jesus’ body (if it truly is connected to Jesus as the head) will be mobilized into mission.
The question is how. Here’s some ways to help jump start the process of mobilizing into the chaos of the coronavirus.
1. Serve those who are sick.
Check the local news every day to see if there are more cases reported in your area. As more people are tested, you may know someone personally who has the virus. The rest of society will tend to react in fear…but followers of Jesus will react with love and compassion. Be wise; it doesn’t help the overall problem if you end up getting sick yourself. There are a lot of ways to love from a physical distance of more than 6 feet. Consider the following as you learn of people who are sick around you:
Write notes and draw pictures to those who are sick. If you have small children, this can be a fun family exercise and can bring a lot of joy and encouragement to those who are sick.
Arrange meals for the family.
It’s springtime…it’s time for yard work. If it seems good and beneficial, fix up their yard and plant beautiful flowers for them.
Call and talk to them ( or use a video chat such as Zoom). This can be a frightening time and isolation doesn’t help that. Let them process and pray with you.
Mail, text, or deliver a note each day with encouraging verses.
2. Support medical professionals.
There are heroes on the front line of this war. They are wearing white coats and scrubs. If you know anyone in the medical profession, treat them and their family the way you would if a soldier was going off to fight in WWII. Here are some thoughts on how:
If they have a family at home, visit with them. They are probably undergoing emotional and physical stress right now given the degree to which medical professionals are having to work extra hours and be exposed to everything out there.
Make a giant sign out of poster board that says “Thank You” and put it in their front yard.
Serve them by getting them meals.
Make sure all of their chores are done. If you can wash their car when they are home or fix something around the house when they are gone, go for it.
Record your prayers for them on audio and send them over once a day. They will get breaks from time to time and these could be very encouraging moments.
3. Support those who are without work.
Many people are not able to make money during this time. Ask around your relational radius and be intentional about knowing how people are doing financially. Don’t forget to ask about needs within your relational church (Galatians 6v10) as it demonstrates to the world around how an inclusive spiritual family cares for on another. But also be sure to extend this questions out to your neighbors and beyond. If you find out that someone is in a financial crisis, consider the following:
Inventory their skillsets and utilize your relational network to see if there are small jobs (mowing yards, fixing things, etc.) that could provide income. If you don’t already have a communication group for your neighborhood (such as Nextdoor App, a private Facebook group or an email chain), then start one for this purpose.
Ask the Lord about financial generosity towards the person in mind. Your relational community can take up an offering if needed. You can give the money anonymously in an envelope (place it in their door) or you can may choose to let them know it’s from the body of Christ.
If there are certain bills or groceries needed, arrange to take care of these needs.
4. Support local businesses.
Larger chains are in a difficult time as well, but they typically have a reserve of capital to help during these times. Smaller, local businesses typically rely on a steady income stream. Try to maintain the typical level of financial spending on food and other goods and services…but aim everything at local businesses. If we can keep supporting one another during this crisis, employers and employees will be able to put food on their table.
Utilize the drive-thru options at local restaurants…and leave really big tips. You can even ask that the tip to be distributed among all of the employees.
Utilize social media to talk about your positive experience with food or other goods you’ve enjoyed. The more people hear about your positive experience, the more likely they will incorporate safe options to spend money into their new rhythms.
5. Pray for those who are sick.
Keep tabs on how many people are sick. And commit to pray daily for all of these affected by the virus. This may be simple, but remember that the living God hears and answers prayers.
This is a simple site that shows the latest numbers in each country and each state within the U.S. Consider checking it in the morning and at night, followed by intentional prayer.
Pick a country or state and pray for. Pray for those who are sick and for the families of those who are sick.
Consider hosting online video meetings with your community to simply pray together for the sick.
6. Check on and support the elderly and immune-compromised.
This is a scary time for those who are more susceptible to getting sick and even dying because of this virus. Be proactive. Reach out. The normal social guidelines need not apply. These are times when you can get away with an extra call or a knock on the door. Engage in a long conversations to ensure you know and understand any needs that may need to be met.
Make sure the elderly and immune-compromised have all of the groceries and supplies they need. If you are going out to do a supply run, check with them first.
Make sure you keep your distance and that they see you being extra cautious.
If the weather is nice, bring over some lawn chairs and just sit outside and talk.
7. Preach the Gospel to everybody.
What an amazing time to just let the Gospel roll off of your tongue! People are talking about fears and unknowns! We know and serve the Lord or Lords and the King of Kings!
If you aren’t fluent in speaking the Gospel, it’s time to learn to speak about what matters most. Practice talking to people in your spiritual community to learn to be clear and confident about the Gospel
Invite people to train with you through the Gospel by utilizing resources such as the Narrative (part of Blueprint).
Let people wrestle with ideas (like the presence of God and the goodness of God) within all of this. Connect with people in their doubts and concerns and offer a way to know God, here and now, through the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ!
8. Recreate with your neighbors.
People need connection and there are safe ways to connect without risking spreading the virus. Be outside and be visible to allow for more connectivity. Even if your neighbors don’t come out, it’s really good for people to see other people.
Get outside and go for walk or a bike ride. When you see a neighbor outside, stop and talk.
Watch out for children who may not know the boundaries of social distancing. Kids are magnets to one another so be responsible as a parent. Even if your boundaries aren’t as conservative, your neighbors may want to keep an extra- safe distance.
Start up a small 3v3 soccer game (pretty safe since you don’t touch the ball).
9. Pray for leaders of our country.
No one would want to be tasked with leading a country like ours at a time like now with something as unknown as this. There is no winning. We are urged in the Bible to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2v2). Prayer for leaders should be infused with your political worldview…it should be a humble plea for God to grant wisdom and guidance to those in charge. Also include medical leaders (CDC, WHO, etc,) as they are very important players at this time.
10. Submit.
As Christians, we may be tempted to view this as an opportunity to prove the steadfastness of God by going about life as usual. Some have mistakenly compared the willpower for Christians to get together and worship during this time to that of the Chinese church’s willpower to meet under times of persecution. The difference is this: if the Chinese church were caught for worshipping, each member would have been suffered for their decision; if Americans choose to gather, it could be the least of these who will suffer. There are times where rebellion against the government is required to truly obey God…this is not one of them. To push against the recommendations of the governing parties doesn’t communicate courage to our culture right now, it communicates selfishness. Let’s be known as people who loved well during this time.
For the churches of Radius Greenville, we have set up a direct email (covidsupport@radiusgreenville.org) to be used to send all practical ideas/needs for us to connect together on as a network. We highly encourage ANY opportunities that involve a collective mobilization of finances or other resources to be sent to this email address. We will contact you back and mobilize resources accordingly.
If you, as a missionary, have other practical ideas…or stories from the frontline of how the Lord is advancing his kingdom, please post below in order to spur on our missional movement into this chaos!