God knows what we need and he never fails to provide. This is true even now—in the middle of a pandemic. He knows what we need to grow in faith. He knows what we need to share that faith with others. He knows what we need to continue meeting online.
This week, we have heard remarkable stories of God’s faithful provision. God provided a remarkable opportunity for Christian unity. God provided live-streaming technology for a small church in Sydney. He provided perseverance for elderly Christians adjusting to online church in South Africa. And, in a suburb of Perth, he provided a surprising opportunity to publicly declare Jesus as Lord.
COVID-19 has come to a surprise to us. But, it hasn’t surprised the God of the universe—and he will glorify himself through it.
Australia Will Pray
Nationwide
Next week, on Saturday the 2nd of May, hundreds of Christians will gather online to pray. Michael Hastie, Assistant Minister at Erskineville Anglican Church, wanted to see Christians united in prayer during COVID-19. With the help of Scripture Union NSW, God has brought Michael’s vision to life.
‘I wanted to see people from across Australia praying—in churches, on farms, in their homes,’ Michael says.
As a long time supporter of Scripture Union NSW, Michael rang up the board and explained his vision. They saw the potential and put their resources behind it. And so, next Saturday, Scripture Union NSW is running a virtual prayer event, to unite God’s people across the country—and the world. Using Zoom, many Christians will praise God and petition him on behalf of the world. What an image of unity! This initiative is a very real way Christians are obeying the call of Romans 12:12, ‘Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer’. Through COVID-19, God’s Spirit is calling us to be persistent in prayer. And next week, many Christians will obey that call.
‘I’ve got lots of people from my own church family coming along’, says Michael, ‘and I hope it spreads a lot wider than that’. The registrations are clocking up by the day. You can register to join here.
Next week, Australia will pray. If that isn’t good news, we don’t know what is.
God Provides for His People
Rouse Hill, NSW
For a small church in northwest Sydney, God is using COVID-19 to grow their numbers and deepen their fellowship. Rouse Hill Bible Church usually meets in a community centre. When the COVID-19 situation developed, the doors of that centre closed. The church did not have the resources to livestream—and now they didn’t have a space to record in either. But God moved one man to generosity. This member of Rouse Hill Bible Church set up a recording studio in his home.
God moved one man to generosity – he set up a recording studio in his home.
Since launching online services, more and more people are tuning in each Sunday. The church is praying together like never before, meeting online to pray throughout the week. The gospel is going out in new ways as the livestream link is sent to friends and neighbours. Through opportunities for generosity, prayer and outreach, God is growing Rouse Hill Bible Church in Christlikeness.
God Draws People to Himself in Unlikely Ways
Melville, WA
Caroline is part of a young church plant, The Common, in a low socioeconomic suburb of Perth. Recently, Caroline and her family have been building a friendship with the owner of their local coffee shop. They are praying for him and taking every chance they can get to speak to him about Jesus. COVID-19 has hit this coffee shop, hard. Last week, Caroline ordered a takeaway coffee, keen to support him during this difficult time. As she was waiting for the coffee, a woman approached her and began a conversation.
Caroline listened as the woman shared her story; a difficult life. Still standing in the coffee shop queue, Caroline offered to pray for the woman. The women bowed their heads and payed. Then, Caroline’s new friend burst into song—a hymn. This went on for a while, the woman singing loudly about, ‘Jesus being her best friend and the bible being the best book to read’.
All of this unfolded in front of the store’s owner. He was witness to two women praying and singing praises to God. ‘There was God,’ says Caroline, ‘in a hurting and deserted Perth suburb amidst the COVID-19 lockdown—orchestrating this meeting.’
There was God—in a hurting and deserted Perth suburb amidst the COVID-19 lockdown—orchestrating this meeting
Global Church Strengthened Through COVID-19
KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Reverend John Stimson from KwaZulu Natal in South Africa wrote to us, ’I am not sure whether there could be encouragement from another part of the globe for the Christians in Australia?’
His story of God’s goodness is certainly an encouragement to us—and we trust it will be to you. South Africa’s lockdown was implemented quickly and intensely. Rev Stimson’s church, Christ Church Hilton, faced the challenge many of our churches have faced in recent weeks: how do we remain connected?
For older members of the congregation, this proved difficult. Solving technical problems from a distance was frustrating. But the rewards have been great. ‘I was able to get my mum to see her great grandchildren and her grandchild in New Zealand,’ says Rev Stimson. ‘Her eyes welled up when she saw what her cell phone could do.’
Christ Church Hilton has been encouraged by the perseverance of their older members, embracing technology for the sake of the church family. God’s sanctifying work has no age limit!
God’s sanctifying work has no age limit! Older Christians are persevering with new technology for the sake of the church family.
As COVID-19 has unfolded, unity has blossomed. Online services attract people from Cape Town, Johannesburg, Dubai, Botswana and New Zealand. The church is also working with those ministering in poorer communities, helping them record sermons and reach those without access to technology.
‘God truly does work in every situation for His glory and our good—we just need to be still for a while to see it clearly.’, says Rev Stimson. As Christ Church Hilton faithfully leans into the challenges and opportunities presented by God, they see the fruit. Through COVID-19 God is growing and refining Christians in South Africa—and across the world.
Send us your story
What has God been doing in and through your church, during COVID-19? We want to hear your stories—big and small. If you have encouragement to share, please get in touch with [email protected]. Let’s continue to remind one another of just how good our God is.
