Stay at Home to Save Lives by Daniel Bair

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Daniel is the executive director of Englewood Family Outreach and one of our College Church evangelists.

Stay at home to save lives. That is sage advice. However, organizations that provide charitable and social services are exempt from this edict. Therefore, we as a ministry are faced with the difficult question of what to do in the face of such an unprecedented outbreak in our time.

The board of Englewood Family Outreach held a meeting the Friday night Governor Pritzker issued his order to discuss the ramifications for ministry.

We agreed unanimously that we cannot operate as normal, but there was room for discussion on how exactly we should respond in a way to love our neighbors. Do we stay home and eliminate all physical contact in order to halt the spread of this virus, or do we take the risk for the sake of restoring those in need? Staying home is probably the best way for most of us to love and serve our communities, it is not an easy question to answer for those who serve the vulnerable who will be disproportionately impacted by all this.

As I pondered this, I couldn’t help but wonder what Jesus would do if he were here right now. There was a flesh-eating disease in that time known as leprosy. From fear of the spread of this disease or defilement, those who had it living outside the camp wore rags and had to proclaim loudly, “Unclean! Unclean!” When Jesus approached a leper in Matthew 8, he did something unexpected. Before he healed him, Jesus touched the leper. Granted, we are not Jesus. He knew he was going to heal the leper and (therefore) wouldn’t spread the disease but cure and end it. But more than the method, I marvel at the message—Jesus saw a person in need, not a disease. 

Our ministry has neighbors in need, and we are brainstorming ways that we can encourage them and help meet their needs, from the physical to the mental to the spiritual. There is a virus spreading rapidly; if it goes unchecked it will likely overwhelm our medical facilities. But there are people buried under the headlines of fear and toilet paper shortages who are being crushed by the havoc the coronavirus is leaving in its wake. Sure, the government is doing much to try to alleviate their suffering, but without the organizations that have already been serving on the frontlines, the organizations that know the people of the streets, there are many who will be lost and out of reach. We must see the people buried under the rubble. We must see them, touch them (in a no-contact sort of way) and point them to Jesus.

At the end of Matthew 25, Jesus says that he will come back as king and reward his righteous sheep for clothing, feeding and visiting him. Baffled they will ask, “When, oh King, did we do this?” The King will respond that as they did it to one of the least of his brothers, they did it to him (Matt. 25.40). 

In some divine mystery, we are given the privilege of serving King Jesus as we serve the least of his brothers and sisters in the neighborhood. That is the attitude we come to the community with—not the attitude of the hero riding in to save the day, but the lowly servant coming in to help his King. One way to serve them is to stay home and not spread the virus—we could make things physically worse if we become a link in that chain, and staying home is a prudent decision. There is also a second option.

There is something great at stake here. Right now, people are confused, vulnerable and scared; and that is nowhere more true than in our under-resourced communities (just today I spent time praying with a mother from our neighborhood who, full of fear, called me sobbing). We have a unique opportunity to speak peace into their lives. While helping insure their physical, mental and emotional well-being, we can also impact their spiritual trajectories. There may be no greater opportunity than the one afforded by this virus to speak into their lives. It may be that this virus strikes while we are positioned here for such a time as this. 

Yes, the coronavirus has been killing thousands and we want to curb that as much as possible. But in the end death will come for us all; our greater concern is the thousands who may face death from the coronavirus without the hope of Christ. Hopelessness is in the air. The streets are emptied. Businesses are closed. The lights have almost all gone out.

But we will keep a lamp burning. A light will shine forth from our refuge to possibly be the spark of revival in the hearts of people in our community. There may be a day that our light goes out, but it is not this day.

Discover more about Englewood Family Outreach.

Write Your Own Psalm of Togetherness

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Even though we are isolated in a lot of ways, here’s something we can do together. It works for all ages, so don’t think you are too young or too old. You can do this with all the people under your roof or think of it as an exercise to focus on God and bring family or friends together on online. If you have friends in another country or another state, invite them to join you, too.

Part One: Choose something about God—a truth or a character trait about God.

Example: God is present everywhere. Make sure everyone knows this theme.

Part Two: Using simile or metaphor, have each person write a description of God with the theme of your psalm. A simile is when we compare to things with the word “like” in between. A metaphor is taking out the word “like” and comparing them in an even closer way.

Example of simile: God is like the sun.

Example of metaphor: God is the sun. (Note: this is not the same as saying “The sun is God.”)

Part Three: Write one or two lines or phrases that explain or expand the simile or metaphor you chose.

Example: He gives light to all things. No plant can grow without his touch.

Part Four: Return to the beginning. Restate in a different way or reflect on the attribute of God.

Example: His light shines everywhere.

Part Five: Now comes the fun part. Collect them from every person and put them together. Putting them together will be a surprise.

Example:

A Psalm of God’s Presence

God is the sun.

He gives light to all things.

No plant can grow without his touch.

His light shines everywhere.

Add the four lines from each person together into a psalm. Share it with everyone who helped to write it. You could have each person read their own if you are gathered either around your table or in a virtual meeting.

If you would like to share it with College Church, email wtriggs@college-church.org.

Why Are You Cast Down?

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By Erik Dewar, pastor of worship and music

Sheet music

I find Psalms 42 & 43 particularly meaningful during this season of sheltering-in-place. The psalmist finds himself lonely and cut off from corporate worship, longing to be reunited in-person with the people of God.

The repeated refrain asks a good question: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?”

We could answer with a long list.

The psalmist does.

When your tears seem to say, “Where is your God?”, pour out your soul to the One who hears. Share your list with the One who cares.

And remember the end of that refrain. There is hope. Hope in God. Why? Because amidst all our troubles, He is our Salvation, and we will again praise Him.

Psalm 42 & Psalm 43

            As a deer pants for flowing streams,

                        so pants my soul for you, O God.

            My soul thirsts for God,

                        for the living God.

            When shall I come and appear before God?

            My tears have been my food

                        day and night,

            while they say to me all the day long,

                        “Where is your God?”

            These things I remember,

                        as I pour out my soul:

            how I would go with the throng

                        and lead them in procession to the house of God

            with glad shouts and songs of praise,

                        a multitude keeping festival.

                        

            Why are you cast down, O my soul,

                        and why are you in turmoil within me?

            Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

                        my salvation and my God.

                        

            My soul is cast down within me;

                        therefore I remember you

            from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,

                        from Mount Mizar.

            Deep calls to deep

                        at the roar of your waterfalls;

            all your breakers and your waves

                        have gone over me.

            By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,

                        and at night his song is with me,

                        a prayer to the God of my life.

            I say to God, my rock:

                        “Why have you forgotten me?

            Why do I go mourning

                        because of the oppression of the enemy?”

            As with a deadly wound in my bones,

                        my adversaries taunt me,

            while they say to me all the day long,

                        “Where is your God?”

                        

            Why are you cast down, O my soul,

                        and why are you in turmoil within me?

            Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

                        my salvation and my God.

 

            Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause

                        against an ungodly people,

            from the deceitful and unjust man

                        deliver me!

            For you are the God in whom I take refuge;

                        why have you rejected me?

            Why do I go about mourning

                        because of the oppression of the enemy?

             

            Send out your light and your truth;

                        let them lead me;

            let them bring me to your holy hill

                        and to your dwelling!

            Then I will go to the altar of God,

                        to God my exceeding joy,

            and I will praise you with the lyre,

                        O God, my God.

        

            Why are you cast down, O my soul,

                        and why are you in turmoil within me?

            Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

                        my salvation and my God.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Like a River Glorious

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By H. E. Singley, organist

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.“(John 14:27, NLT)

According to several sources, Wye Valley is one of the most scenic locations in all of Great Britain. It is located between England and Wales and surrounds the River Wye, the fifth-longest river in the U.K.

I mention Wye Valley because it is the name of a hymn-tune well known to us in College Church and associated in our minds with a very meaningful text, one that offers encouragement in uncertain times.

These words were written by Frances Havergal, the daughter of a British pastor and a contemporary–and admirer–of Fanny Crosby of the USA. (She also wrote “Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated” and other hymns in our hymnal.) The hymn-tune was composed by Englishman James Mountain specifically for “Like a River Glorious.”

Please take a few moments to read the hymn in its poetic form, then reflect over each phrase.

Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,

Over all victorious in its bright increase;

Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,

Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,

Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;

Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,

Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Every joy or trial falleth from above,

Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love.

We may trust Him fully all for us to do;

They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.

Refrain:

Stayed upon Jehovah, Hearts are fully blest;

Finding, as He promised, Perfect peace and rest.

  • From stanza 1, think of the great rivers in our country, the way they seem to inexplicably maintain their flow, as if there were no end to the moving water. Think about how God’s peace eclipses any turmoil we face in life (“over all victorious”). Then, think about how his peace is perfect, but that it nonetheless increasingly manifests itself.

  • From stanza 2, consider that, in the face of foe, traitor, worry, care or the pressures of time or task, we are hidden in Christ, completely secure. (Cf. Psalm 27:5; John 10:28,29.)

  • From stanza 3, ponder that (1) God is good, (2) He is absolutely sovereign and (3) nothing comes into our lives that He doesn’t ordain (“Every joy, every trial . . . .”). Recognize that we can completely trust Him for everything and find Him to be comprehensively trustworthy and true.

  • From the refrain, we are reminded of the overarching theme of the hymn (after each of the three stanzas). As we keep ourselves centered–“stayed”–on the Triune God (cf. Hebrews 12:2), we apprehend this perfect peace.

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. (I Thessalonians 5:23, 24, NLT)

IDEAS FOR LISTENING

  • „  Listen for the melody of the hymn-tune throughout.

  • „  Listen for the right hand and the sense it portrays of a “flowing” river.

  • „  Listen for the three stanzas, the first and the last of which are almost identical musically.
    (This creates what musicians call a ternary form.)

  • „  Sing the hymn–words and music–even if you’re by yourself!

Global Voices for a Global Pandemic

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Strangely enough, a global pandemic makes some people less global and more local. It's easy when we're staying at home for that to be where our focus is—our own homes. But what's happening to us now is something we're sharing with everyone. To lift our eyes and help our ears hear the global voices of College Church, we reached out to some of our missionaries to get their perspectives on COVID-19 in the countries where they live and serve. Here's what we've heard so far.

DATELINE—FRANCE, MARCH 17, 8:46 a.m.
STANLEY OKORO
The current shutdown is giving us an opportunity to practice what we preach. We preach that the church isn't the building, it's the disciples of Christ together. Church isn't something that happens on Sunday, we should be living church all week. When we're living as church all week long it takes the pressure of having to squeeze everything that should be part of church life into one hour and a half meeting. So during the next two weeks (or more) we will continue to live church by praying together in small groups daily, having a time of worship on Saturday and a brief teaching on Sunday. We're extremely grateful for the technology that allows us to continue to 'be' together, and even help those who are in need of a meal or groceries all without leaving our homes. We're also on the lookout for ways we can be of help to our neighbors and point them to God through our good works - Matthew 5:14  

Thanks for praying for us,
Stanley (in Lille, France)

DATELINE—UKRAINE, MARCH 17, 10:40 a.m.
CHERYL WARNER
Thanks for your prayers. We're praying for all of you too. Here's a bit about life here.

On March 9, we were just wrapping up a great week in the Middle East at a conference on ministry in Central Asia when we learned that the member care conference we were heading to in Spain had been canceled. Scrambling to change our flights scheduled for the next morning, we were able to reroute and go straight home to Ukraine. We're using this unexpected block of time to prepare for future events, communicate with our Ukrainian missionaries, avoid overdosing on the news, pray more, read Scripture more, keep worshiping, and tend to others' souls and our own.  (Having run out of excuses, I also started mopping floors and may have to wash windows if this goes on very long.) Borders are closed and we couldn't leave if we wanted to, but we're thankful to be right here. We thank God that we did not go to Spain and get stuck there, and we pray for our Ukrainian missionaries, who can't get home, to be shining lights where they are.

DATELINE—AUSTRIA, MARCH 18, 12:54 p.m.
JIM AND LYNETTE HATCHER
We are all navigating unfamiliar waters these days. Lynette and I are doing fine, confining ourselves to home and digital communication. We have taken walks together, keeping a safe distance from others along the way along the way; and today we had to do a shopping run. So far, we are fine and learning to do ministry in a new way. Here’s a brief look at that.

Austria is on lockdown, which is tough on extroverts like Lynette and me. I had some high needs to talk with people of late, these last couple of days, I picked up the phone and began making calls. The handful of seniors from church were grateful to chat. I was surprised how well and positive they seemed. They ended up being more of an encouragement to me than maybe I was to them. Next, I called my neighbor S, who is an atheist. Even on the phone, I sensed her fear and anxiety.

“It’s like war,” she said, “I’m afraid of people becoming desperate and trying to break in.” I promised to come over in my protecting gear, if she needed help. We both laughed. What are neighbors for, I said. She is in her 50s, but her husband is 67 and has high blood pressure. I hope S is less worried after the call, and I do know she feels loved.

After S, I called M, my Muslim friend and a refugee from Iraq and Syria. He is isolated and feeling terribly alone. He has a phone but no television or computer. His only friends are Christians in our church. We talked for nearly an hour. After these many calls, Lynette and I prayed for our lost friends, lonely and afraid, praying that they too would know God’s overwhelming peace and sustaining hope. 


DATELINE—FRANCE, MARCH 18, 9:38 a.m.
THAD AND JOY MCAULEY
We went on full lockdown France-wide at noon yesterday (March 17). For at least the next two weeks we are only to go out to the grocery, pharmacy or bank, and that’s being enforced. Kids are doing school from home, but the servers for the older kids are overloaded. We can go out to exercise, just not in groups. Borders are closing, even Schengen [an area comprising 26 European states that officially abolished all passport and border control at mutual borders]. It’s surreal, but people seem calm and understanding. Our family is fine.

From a ministry perspective, we obviously must rethink things for the immediate future. Our church has done its worship services and other gatherings virtually the past two weeks. Our venue for an Easter service that was to be combined with a few other churches has already cancelled. It’s forcing us to rethink how and why we do things, which is good.

Right now, we are reflecting on personally and with our GEM (Greater Europe Mission) teams across Europe is
Crisis=Gospel catalyst 
●When we can’t do things for Jesus, the focus can better become being with Jesus. 
●What might God be saying to us right now?
●What opportunities do we have to help others to experience Jesus?

DATELINE—VIETNAM, MARCH 18, 8:33 p.m.
HEATHER OWENS
Greetings from Hanoi, Vietnam where we are finishing our seventh week of school closures and other social distancing measures. In the early days we kept thinking, “Surely, next week will be back to normal.” After nearly a month of waiting for “normal,” Daniel put on his “IT guy” hat and found a way for the Bible college to move classes online. The problem here is that the majority of the students live in mountain villages, and many of them do not have reliable internet access. Half-way through one of Daniel’s first classes a student complained that his battery was running low. Another student helpfully suggested that he plug it in. “I can’t,” he responded. “I had to climb the peak to get a signal, and there is no electricity here.” 

Three weeks ago, Vietnam had successfully treated and released all known SARS-ncov-19 cases, so there was a brief window of optimism. The school brought the students back to Hanoi for a week of classes before more cases erupted. Hanoi Bible College made the difficult decision to cancel the semester for all but the graduating class of students. Those who have reliable internet access have returned to their homes. Those who don’t are doing classes online from the student house. Graduation has been moved to September in the hope that we will experience “normal” again by then.

Our family life is relatively unchanged. In fact, I think we should have t-shirts printed that say, “We homeschooled before corona.” The boys have been disappointed that activities are mostly cancelled and that we don’t get out of the house as much as usual. However, I noticed yesterday that they were laughing and chatting together instead of bickering. I’ve also seen that, in spite of a general fear and suspicion of foreigners right now (the new virus cases originated in Europe), our neighbors have continued to be warm toward us. One lady passing by our house as I was sweeping the alley nearly fell off her bicycle swerving to put distance between us. A few paces on, though, she stopped and lowered her mask to smile at me—a meaningful kindness. Such small things are evidence of God’s great mercy. It is to His unchanging love and strength that we cling in these uncertain times.

DATELINE—PAKISTAN, MARCH 19, 12:52 a.m.
BETH TEBBE
I think what has touched me the most is the profound faith in the Lord of some of our lower staff—mostly all illiterate, with good jobs at Forman, but still not highly paid and living from one monthly paycheck to another. These folks still have all the so-called normal illnesses and crises that are present as part of life and don’t have a lot of context for how to handle this new challenge, how hugely it could/will impact their lives. The government has cancelled all schools and worship services (for everyone (but enforced more for the Christian churches); there is little capability or concept of social distancing in their small households. But they know the Lord is powerful and cares for them, and they pray their hearts out. My household helper tells me every morning about some prayer meeting she has attended the previous night. Food prices are skyrocketing and so much looks grim, but these least-of-these brothers and sisters will be called great in the kingdom of heaven with their firm faith in the Lord!

I’m continually humbled as we stew over the logistics of our responsibility in managing the crisis and their faith is a constant encouragement—if anything, whining less than usual, just accepting both good and bad as from the Lord’s hands!

DATELINE—ONBOARD AFRICA MERCY, MARCH 19, 5:56 a.m.
BRIAN BLACKBURNHere is the official Mercy Ships statement:
The current situation of COVID-19 on a global level and the increasing travel restrictions applied by several countries, have made it increasingly difficult for Mercy Ships to continue to carry out its programs to the required standards, while protecting against the possible spread of the virus.

Therefore, in line with the measures taken by the President of Senegal with the Ministry of Health, Mercy Ships has reviewed the activities associated with the Africa Mercy, and has decided to adapt the programmatic operations of our mission in Senegal.

The main concerns of Mercy Ships are the health of the Senegalese people and the safety and well-being of our own volunteers, crew and staff worldwide.

Now from Brian:
We are safe and well on the Africa Mercy (currently docked in Senegal.) Things are changing each day and Warrie seems to be in meetings from morning to late in the night. The hospital is stopping service and we will return to Senegal to complete our outreach when it is safe to do so. We are committed to stay on the ship and serve the crew until our Mercy Ships headquarters makes other arrangements. It is very hard to social distance while living on a ship! God is good and at work in our patients, day crew, and crew.  

DATELINE—KENYA, MARCH 19, 9:29 a.m.
STEPHEN RIGBY
We had our first case in Kenya confirmed on March 13, the government responded immediately and within two days added travel bans and closures of schools and other non-essential government offices followed. We were impressed with the speed of the response, but given we were the 116th country with a confirmed case, it was appropriate. Additionally we also knew with certain cultural proprensities and socio-economic realities implementing social distancing and eventual isolation here will be very difficult. We have many medical professionals in our organisation that are working at hospitals around East Africa. Several of them are on our leadership security response team and have kept us well aware of the unfolding situation since January and so we have been expecting this day, trying to anticipate what happens next.  

With news unfolding seemingly hourly at times and situations changing daily we as a team, and  other expat workers at large, have  been asking similar questions... should we stay? how do we help? what's the impact? and... for how long? We have adjusted as a team to implement social distancing and minimizing how much we are out and about. We are praying with and listening to the medical community as they prepare their families, hospitals, and staff to handle the projected onslaught of patients, while still carrying the burdens of everyday brokenness around them has been sobering. There is no question of leaving; there is a sense of how do we prepare for a Tsunami with extremely limited resources? We are engaged with the local church community and experiencing the deep sadness in the cancellation of worship and small group gatherings—in this we are witnessing a distress that is beautiful to observe when one realises how cherished the body gathering is to people. We too are figuring out how to encourage one another and will be remotely meeting as a small group for now. 

Within Ambassadors Football, all our programs have been shut down. With this we feel the weight of the cut off of our regular program income that we depend on to sustain our office for an indeterminate period of time and the effect that has on our staff who depend on that income. My coworkers give me a perspective from the impoverished community that is skeptical of the government, concerned for their neighbor who needs to go out of the house to fight for the $2 per day to survive and inundated with WhatsApp messages sharing poor theology, inaccurate medical advice and conspiracy theory information about coronavirus.  

The myriad of responses around us has reminded us of our role to stand in the gap. To hold onto the hope of Jesus while facing the reality of the situation. Not overspiritualising our response (if you pray Psalm 91 enough times the virus won't affect you) or ignoring what's coming (it won't impact Africa). We seek to be wise, actively pray and be generous in this time. Psalm 112:7 is what my mind keeps coming back to, "[The righteous man] is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord." May we anchor ourselves to the Lord in this season so that we may bear witness to his glory.

DATELINE—SPAIN, MARCH 20, 2020, 4:35 a.m.
DEBBIE DAVIS
For us personally it means National Lockdown. In our homes. Everyone must stay in their homes, military and police patrolling the streets and fining those that break the lock down rules. There are only eight justifiable reasons for leaving the house, only one person can be in a car, and if shopping for food or medicine there is a two meter safety distance to observe. Hotels are becoming makeshift hospitals. And there is an App that now helps us to self diagnose and communicate symptoms should we experience them.  

For us ministry wise, we had to send our Canadian short termers home before they got stuck here. All church ministry is cancelled, although pastors and elders try hard to work via WhatsApp. In our personal ministry, we had to cancel Mision Posible, National Youth event for which GIles and I are directors, and  would have begun April 9. We have a committee meeting today to determine what a possible next step could be. We already had 300 students paid, and some are asking for their money to be returned, while we cannot quite give answers about a future date since the location is unavailable at all possible future dates, and hotels are not able to focus on this topic at the moment. So we really need wisdom when interacting with people about it.  We also do not want to see the enemy rob the country of this gathering, but maybe there is something else we have not thought of, that the Lord would have for youth. We just want to hear His will and desire. 

Thank you for asking. We covet your prayers, and we are praying for YOU too. We know Freda cannot have visitors. And Tim, Giles brother at Washington House, is also getting antsy. We pray for the College Church staff, and all the ministry YOU all have to do as well in these tremendous times.