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God at Work in Ukraine

Grace Tia — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 03:50:22 +0000

God at Work in Ukraine Grace Tia Thu, 08/05/2021 - 03:50

God at Work in Ukraine

Even though church services were on lockdown and many Nazarenes struggled with COVID-19, God has been at work in new ways during this difficult time.

Rev. Sergei and Olga Onofriichuk, who lead ministries in the town of Kazatin, Ukraine, have creatively assisted their community through food distribution to many who are experiencing great need, ongoing rehabilitation for addicts, and an alternative kindergarten and school for the town.

Recognizing that many of the poorest people in the town were heavily affected by the virus, members of the Kazatin church organized and delivered food packages, basic medical and toiletry supplies, and school materials. Most importantly, they checked on the needs of these families. While similar projects were happening throughout Ukraine, the projects in Kazatin are a good example of partnership with new and particularly vulnerable families.

THE REHABILITATION CENTER

During COVID-19, quarantine restrictions made the work of the church’s rehabilitation center in Kazatin more difficult. The rehab program helps people who come to the center after being freed from addiction to drugs or alcohol, and the center serves as a hostel for those without housing and needing guidance. Spiritual, emotional, and physical counseling are the heart of the program.

The residents in the first step of rehab continued with their in-house programs during the pandemic, but those in the second step transition house were often without work unless they had an essential job. Even though this was a very difficult situation, by God’s grace, all the men in the transition house have now resumed work, except for one on medical leave. Though not being able to work during quarantine was frustrating to everyone, they survived and are now thriving. Throughout the 16 years of the rehab center’s work, many men have experienced the transformative love of Christ with a future and now serve with their families in the Kazatin Church of the Nazarene.

“This is a very difficult time for me,” one parent shares. “I am raising two children myself, and it’s always difficult for me. But last year, due to quarantine, I practically didn’t work and everything was simply unbearable. The food that the church gave us literally helped us through this terrible time.”

Actually, COVID-19 served as a benefit for this school because during the six months of public school closings in Kazatin, many new students attended this private school when adaptive quarantine was in effect for four months, allowing private schools to operate with restrictions. Thus, many new families have discovered the witness of the church in Kazatin as a result of their experience with the school and its teachers during the pandemic.

“Thank you so much for the help that your church provides to our family during this very difficult period of quarantine,” another parent told the church. “I thank you for the school that you opened and for the opportunity to work, for taking care of my children and all the help that you provide to us.”

A new law in Ukraine has recently made it possible for churches to provide educational opportunities. The Ukraine District dreams that someday it can provide excellent education for the community from kindergarten through college.

THE SCHOOL

Olga is the administrator for the alternative kindergarten and school—the Marvel Kindergarten and Cleverland School—located in the Kazatin church. Currently, the school serves about 60 children from the community through their creative program that includes English training every day. All the teachers are Christians, and most of them are from the Kazatin Church. Often, the school children are invited to Kids Club—the field’s name for Nazarene holistic child development programs—events as well, forming a bridge between church and school programs. Through the school, church members and teachers were also able to identify families in need of food assistance.

GOD’S WORK CONTINUES

God always has better plans than anyone can ever imagine; He used the difficulties of COVID-19 to provide paths for His work in Kazatin and throughout Ukraine.

“It is impossible not to notice what you are doing in our city,” shares another person who was assisted by the church. “Likewise, now in the most difficult period of life, you provide tremendous support to many people. It so happened that in 2020 there was pregnancy and childbirth and it was not easy, but ... your participation in my life is a miracle.”

Ronda Winderl is a professor emerita at Point Loma Nazarene University. She, along with her husband, Carl, is serving as a missionary for the Church of the Nazarene in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Taken from the latest issue of NCM Magazine.

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Serving the Most Vulnerable During a Pandemic

Grace Tia — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 08:49:25 +0000

Serving the Most Vulnerable During a Pandemic Grace Tia Wed, 04/28/2021 - 08:49

Serving the Most Vulnerable During a Pandemic

In the Franklinton neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, in the United States, 55 percent of people live below the poverty line (which in the U.S. is defined as a yearly income of $26,200 for a family of 4), and almost 1 in 4 adults are unemployed. Compared to other areas in the state, Franklinton residents have the lowest life expectancy, a sign of the socioeconomic inequities and barriers to health care access that are a constant challenge for people living in poverty.

To remove those barriers, Lower Lights Christian Health Center (LLCHC), serves the people of Franklinton and five other neighborhoods in Columbus with high quality medical, vision, dental, behavioral health, and nutrition care, regardless of the ability to pay and with or without insurance. LLCHC is a Nazarene compassionate ministry center, and therefore provides care for both the body and spirit.

A line for a recent vaccination clinic in LLCHC.

Food insecurity, a measure of both availability and access to nutritious food, is an ever-present reality in lower-income urban neighborhoods has a direct impact upon the health of a community. Supporting and improving health through nutrition is part of the ministry of LLCHC. In May of 2018, the center opened the Jubilee Market and Café, a non-profit grocery store that brings fresh and high-quality food to the residents of Franklinton at an affordable cost. The Café accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and WIC benefits, and provides discounts for customers with greater financial need.

Throughout the pandemic, LLCHC has remained open for patients, meeting needs first by pivoting to telehealth visits during the initial lockdown period, and later by providing coronavirus testing services at two of their locations. Now, LLCHC is operating as a coronavirus vaccine provider, and while appointments are open to anyone, the staff are committed to ensuring that their most vulnerable neighbors are able to make it in for a vaccine if they desire. The center offers scheduling on their website and also by phone to better meet the needs of those without internet access. As of April 16, the center had provided over 5,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, communities of color have been among the hardest hit in the United States. By providing affordable care, testing, and vaccines, LLCHC is working to ensure a patient’s race, economic status, or zip code is not the determining factor in their ability to fight the virus.

A recent "walk-in" COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic provided more than 250 vaccines for community members.

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Serving Christ in a Pandemic Hotspot: Reflections from a Public Health Official

Grace Tia — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 08:57:08 +0000

Serving Christ in a Pandemic Hotspot: Reflections from a Public Health Official Grace Tia Thu, 01/28/2021 - 08:57

Serving Christ in a Pandemic Hotspot: Reflections from a Public Health Official

Shortly after the coronavirus outbreak ravaged New York in 2020, the Navajo Nation surpassed the Empire State as the new hotspot. First citizens have suffered the brunt of the pandemic that has devastated hundreds of families and created an urgent need for support in the health system.

Janice Ballard has spent her career working as a public health official, and she applied that knowledge to service in the Navajo Nation with COVID Care Force (CCF), an organization founded by Dr. Gary Morsch to mobilize volunteer healthcare professionals to serve in COVID hotspots.

“When Gary called to ask me to support, my response was a resounding yes,” Ballard shares. “For me, the practice of public health isn’t just a career. It’s my calling—a tangible expression of my service to God and to His people, here in the USA and in the nations, and the question was, if not now, then when, and if not me, then who?”

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a massive toll in the Navajo Nation, which spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. More than 13 percent of Arizona’s cases were in the Navajo Nation, home to only 1.4 percent of Arizona’s population. About half of Navajo residents live below the poverty line, and about 40 percent of the population has no electricity or running water. That complicates efforts at good sanitation. The unique multi-generational households cherished by the Navajo people leads to an increase of exposure when one family member becomes sick.

Ballard was part of the initial assessment team sent to the Navajo Nation. The need was so profound that she felt compelled to stay and fight this deadly virus alongside the Navajo people, many of whom have lost multiple family members to COVID-19. Her duties included visiting health facilities, mobilizing resources, determining where to send doctors and nurses to serve, and serving as the field representative for CFF. She also stepped into a role with the largest hospital in the Navajo Nation, advising their pandemic response.

“My main role here has really been to listen, learn, and support the good work the leaders were doing for decades before I came,” Ballard says.

Ballard made connections with local Church of the Nazarene leaders, including Dr. John Nells, superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene’s Southwest Native American District, NCM and Work & Witness coordinators, and Rev. Chris Davis, pastor of Gallup First Church of the Nazarene, who has an active outreach ministry in the community. She was also able to meet Jonathan Nez, Honorable President of the Nation, as part of a small delegation.

Ballard was blessed by the people she has met. “I came to the Navajo Nation as a stranger,” she explains. “Now, I’m here working alongside my new friends and neighbors, worshiping Jesus, fellowshipping, and praying with them. The Navajo people have given me more than I could ever give them. My life has been incredibly enriched …. Ahéhee’—thank you!”

This story taken from the latest NCM Magazine. Click here to read the full story.

To read more about Janice’s efforts in the Navajo Nation, click here.

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When Neighbors Become Family: Addressing Need Through Relationships

Grace Tia — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 09:14:11 +0000

When Neighbors Become Family: Addressing Need Through Relationships Grace Tia Wed, 01/20/2021 - 09:14

When Neighbors Become Family: Addressing Need Through Relationships

“Shepherd has been the best thing to ever happen to me and my family,” says Donna Little. Little’s daughter died unexpectedly a little more than a decade ago, leaving her as the sole guardian of three young granddaughters. Grief and the financial burden of becoming a parent again left her wondering how she would make this new family work.

Shepherd Community Center, a Nazarene compassionate ministry center in the Near Eastside of Indianapolis, first opened its doors in 1985. Today, Shepherd regularly serves more than 500 families in the community each year. The programs are created to nurture the whole person and the whole community, considering the physical, emotional, spiritual, and academic development of each individual.

Little found the nurture she and her granddaughters needed at Shepherd. The compassionate care she received was both spiritual and practical, and it has continued as her grandchildren and now some great-grandchildren have grown up in her home.

Andrew Green, the assistant executive director, explains that Shepherd’s aim is to break the cycle of poverty long-term, not provide a solution for a brief period of time.

“We try to approach things from a really holistic standpoint,” Green says. “... we know that poverty really impacts every area of a person’s life. So, when we think about programs, we try to address every part of a person’s life.”

According to statistics from the Indianapolis Department of Public Safety, the murder rate, drug use, and poverty rates are all dramatically higher in the Near Eastside. These are all things that Shepherd seeks to address through their various programs and outreaches. Simply put, the project focuses on three areas: housing, food, and health. Holistically addressing these needs can take the form of painting houses, providing food for hungry families, and an ongoing partnership with the Indianapolis police and fire departments, which send an officer and a paramedic to make social work calls and build relationships in the community.

Access to fresh and healthy food is difficult in the Near Eastside. Many residents live at least five miles from a grocery store. For most of the children in the neighborhoods served by Shepherd, school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic have made accessing regular meals more difficult. Little says that during the pandemic, “Shepherd just took over like a big family,” just like they did when her daughter died. The staff or volunteers come every Wednesday to drop off food for her and the great-grandchildren she is helping to raise.

As of July 2020, Shepherd had distributed 88,000 meals to their neighbors during the pandemic, and more than $550,000 has gone to meet the needs of neighbors in a variety of ways. The center now provides e-learning hubs where students can go to learn online during the pandemic and receive support and tutoring, an aspect of ministry that is above and beyond their regular support for students.

Above all, Shepherd prioritizes their neighbors, resourcing and empowering them to then serve others. Little explains why she seeks to serve her friends and neighbors, saying, “Because I know God would want me to [serve],” she says. “He never turned His back on me, so why should I turn my back on them?”

William McKeller credits Shepherd with helping to get his life back on track. Now he volunteers at the ministry, helping with food distributions, and runs his own prison and street ministries on top of that.

“They just allowed me to make peace between me and God—and allow people into my life that I could trust and I could talk to,” McKeller says. “Shepherd does a lot for this community. ... they’ve helped a lot of people over the years, and they’ve [taught] me how to be more giving and more helpful.”

Shepherd might provide resources and compassionate care, but it’s the ripple effect of those who receive care and then turn around and give it to others that’s most amplifying this ministry’s impact in their neighborhood and throughout Indianapolis.

This story adapted from the latest issue of NCM Magazine. Click here to read more about Shepherd’s ministry in Indianapolis. To visit their website, click here.

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The Necessity of Hope

Grace Tia — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 09:45:12 +0000

The Necessity of Hope Grace Tia Tue, 01/05/2021 - 09:45

The Necessity of Hope

I was reminded recently of the tenaciousness that Christian hope involves. This kind of hope—the hope that persists—is something we all need right now.

In being a truly global church, the call in Scripture for the People of God to mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice is no small thing. We live in a highly connected world, and so we feel deeply when disaster strikes our brothers and sisters in Christ in storms, fires, famine, and the shadow of COVID-19. These days, it seems that the crises compound and compound again, and while there still is much joy to celebrate, there also is deep pain and suffering in the body of Christ around the world.

As Christians we lean into prayers of lament, like David crying out in Psalm 13: “How long, O Lord?" We turn to Scripture to remember when and why the People of God have had to cry out to the Lord, and we are invited into their journeys of trust in our Lord's plans of restoration and salvation. Thanks be to God!

The references to hope in God run deep in Scripture and in the experiences of God’s people. Here, hope is not presented as a passing feeling, or even something we train ourselves to dwell on. It is not the will to think more positively, or even being optimistic about the future in the midst of pain. Rather, hope is an active force. It wells up within us as a deep motivation and conviction that then propels us on to change and transformation in our personal lives and in our life as the Body of Christ. Hope is a verb.

“Hope is necessary because our world needs rescue.”

To get there, we might have to imagine what it is like to have hope in the dark. Hope is not something we clutch to our chest and feel lucky or fortunate to have. Rather, hope is what gives us the strength to break down the door in an emergency. It is the feeling of digging deep—deeper than you have ever dug—into your gut to rescue another, to get out of the clutches of darkness, to climb out of the pit of despair. Hope asks us to imagine a future when all our creative energy is gone. Hope is necessary because our world needs rescue.

It is a commitment to live fully in the present so as to make a better future.

Hope is our active presence standing up against the weight of suffering and exploitation. Hope challenges the path of death and destruction. Hope does not come after pain, but lives through it. Hope resides in the midst of deep suffering and does not run away from it. It is the result of a tenacious faith in God—an always seeking, ever deepening journey of faith.

Following in the footsteps of Jesus, hope calls us to be fully present in the midst of suffering. God Emmanuel—God with us—calls us to make a home there. This we can do not by our own strength, cunning, or will power, but because we have been given a hope beyond all hope in Jesus Christ who suffered, was put to death, and rose again, conquering even death.

This article taken from the Winter 2020 issue of NCM Magazine. Read online here.

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Waiting in Hope: Emilio's Story

Grace Tia — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 06:55:51 +0000

Waiting in Hope: Emilio's Story Grace Tia Wed, 11/11/2020 - 06:55

Waiting in Hope: Emilio's Story

Thirteen-year-old Emilio* is just one of the children living through the changes brought about by pandemic-related protocols in his country, Peru. Emilio attends a local Nazarene child development center, one that he begged to join when he learned it was opening. Right from the start, he applied himself to the activities in the center, was punctual in his attendance, and faithfully completed his assignments.

Then came COVID-19, and life for families in Peru changed drastically. The nation was hit especially hard by the virus, and more than 30,000 people in Peru would eventually die from it. Emilio’s father, a motorcycle taxi driver, was suddenly out of work for months due to lockdown restrictions. His mother, who ran a small business selling quinoa, soybeans, coffee, and other foods, was also forced to cease selling as they stayed home for protection. Emilio couldn’t attend his local government school or the child development center.

Emilio, like many children, was upset he couldn’t attend his school or center in person, but he shares that everything he learned at his center is helping him in his online schooling. He expresses how much he misses his friends and looks forward to the end of the pandemic when his routine will return to normal. He is excited to one day return to the tutoring and care he receives at the center.

For families like Emilio’s, the disruption of food supply chains and income makes hunger a very real threat. The only way his family was able to put food on the table was donations from some relatives and monthly food pack deliveries from Emilio’s child development center. These food packs made a very real difference.

The struggle isn’t over for Emilio’s family. Even now, as the country opens up more businesses and public spaces, Emilio’s father shares that his motorcycle taxi business has not rebounded— many people are still taking precautions and continue to stay at home. The local Nazarene church and child development center will continue to offer care and support to families in their communities, while they all wait in hope for a return to stability and normalcy.

*Name is changed for protection.

COVID-19 relief projects like the food packs Emilio’s family received are funded through the COVID-19 Response Fund. Learn more and give here.

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Making a Difference through Cash Distributions

Grace Tia — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 07:57:00 +0000

Making a Difference through Cash Distributions Grace Tia Thu, 10/15/2020 - 07:57

Making a Difference through Cash Distributions

The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the devastating challenges families and individuals living in poverty were already facing. Global lockdowns, sickness, and economic turmoil have by far had the greatest impact on those who are most vulnerable, which includes those living in extreme poverty.

To counter the effects of lost income, many churches and districts have created cash distribution projects to help families buy exactly what they need to survive. When cash is given directly to households, families are empowered to both provide for their own needs—which they know best—and support local businesses.

Want to know what that means on a practical level? Read on for stories of how people have been impacted by cash assistance.

BANGLADESH

In Bangladesh, one woman shared how a cash distribution to 250 families in one community impacted her family. “Through this NCM support, we could survive for at least 20 days,” she shares. Some of these families looked to bless friends and family with their distribution, and shared what they had received. In another area of Bangladesh, 814 families were chosen to receive cash distributions.

Bimal, a day laborer in Bangladesh, was thankful for the support. “When I together with my family members are struggling, [the] Church of the Nazarene came to my church with its assistance,” he says. “I received cash and with that money I bought rice, lentils, potato, pumpkin, and oil.”

GUATEMALA

In Guatemala, some of the families who received assistance normally make a living by pulling items out of the local landfill to recycle and sell. Due to virus-associated shutdowns, the landfill has been closed for several months. Those who depend on it have been unable to earn anything, and they felt as though they had been forgotten.

One man explains, “… we are collectors from the landfill here, but it has been closed for more than two months. So, we thank you very much to the people who made this help possible.” His wife adds, “Thanks to God ... [it] is a blessing that they remembered us, because the truth is almost nobody does this. Thank you very much, the Lord bless you.”

A local Nazarene district distributed cash aid to 300 families in this community. Another woman shares that it has made a huge difference. “I am a recycler at the landfill, and we have a lot of time since we cannot enter because of COVID-19,” she says. “I thank you very much and may the Lord bless you.”

INDIA

In India, pastoral families struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns and closures. They, along with many others, lost income and had trouble purchasing food and supplies. Most pastors in India are bi-vocational, and many lost multiple sources of income when the shutdowns began. To support pastoral families, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries in India provided cash distributions.

Pastor Samson and his family received assistance during the lockdown. Though his church tried to share what they had with community members in need, he soon had nothing to give. “The effect of the pandemic was severe in our community, as the village we were living was sealed down,” he says. Pastor Samson’s family also suffered; without regular tithes, offerings, or income, the church had no way to pay his salary. “The church was closed for five to six months, and there was no income from the church,” he says. “Nazarene Compassionate Ministries came forward to [help] through prayers and financial support. Through your support, we got a big relief …” Through the support, Pastor Samson’s family was able to buy enough food, and they will continue to support the community.

Watch the video below to learn more about cash distribution through a relief project held before the pandemic as a response to survivors of Cyclone Idai in Malawi.

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Feeding the Body and the Soul: Food Ministry During COVID-19

Grace Tia — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 07:29:59 +0000

Feeding the Body and the Soul: Food Ministry During COVID-19 Grace Tia Thu, 08/27/2020 - 07:29

Feeding the Body and the Soul: Food Ministry During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions to supply chains, country-wide lockdowns, and loss of income. Combined, these challenges have both created and intensified food insecurity for millions of vulnerable people around the world. There are no easy answers for families struggling to feed their children—something that is especially difficult if they have been forced out of steady employment due to lockdowns and curfews.

The global church is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap for those most in need. Nearly 6,000 Nazarene churches have COVID-19 programs, many of which center around providing food for hungry people. In fact, more than 200,000 people have benefitted from COVID-19 food security programs since March.

“The global church is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap for those most in need.”

When disasters come, children are among the most impacted. The network of child development centers in Nazarene churches has provided a key point of contact for food distribution ministries. Even though the centers had to close their in-person care, staff and volunteers have stayed connected to their students and families from a distance. Some centers have provided students with distance academic and Bible lessons and regular phone calls or emails with teachers. But many have also provided food distributions for the families of children who come to the center and the broader communities.

In Kenya, students have received food packs for their families, along with counseling from staff with reassurance that the pandemic won’t last forever. Teachers spend time reading Bible stories to children over the phone to encourage their spiritual growth during this time.

In South Africa, food packs are handed out to eight families two times a week, and 70 children receive meals in the center three times a week. The center staff is also providing emotional counseling to children who need encouragement.

In the Dominican Republic, center teachers have used Zoom calls to stay connected to their students, and families who have lost income have received bags of food and supplies to support them.

In Panama, the local police assisted the center staff and volunteers in distributing food packs to their students and families. These packs included face masks and Bible studies for the children, along with seeds so the families could begin their own gardens at home.

In Romania, 37 families received 50 pounds of food along with a bag of soap. The food packs included oil, pasta, flour, sugar, rice, butter, canned meat and vegetables, and juice. Some of the staff have continued to use their personal funds to supply additional food for families facing the most need. One center family said upon receiving the pack, “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!” Another mother explained that the last income she had received was a month prior to the distribution and she had no ability to purchase food.

In Nicaragua, a child development center coordinator explained how food ministries care for the children in their center:

“The center program is located in a rural community. The families from this community are seasonal agricultural workers and the income is very low. The center creates hope for life for children, where they can see that the church feeds them with the Word of God and also by providing food. The center is a source, not only of learning where children are able to reinforce their daily classes, but [where] they also receive nutritious food, which is prepared with love. It is the only opportunity some children have to eat regularly.”

Every food distribution, whether held in a child development center or in a local church, is bridging the gap for people living with great need. As the pandemic and associated economic difficulties continue, churches will continue to serve and feed their communities. Through these food distributions, the love of Christ (who himself fed the 5,000) is demonstrated in a very tangible and meaningful way.

~~~

Thank you for your support of COVID-19 projects around the world. To learn more or give to the relief efforts, click here.

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Make a Difference From a Distance: Practical Compassion During a Pandemic

Grace Tia — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 07:55:57 +0000

Make a Difference From a Distance: Practical Compassion During a Pandemic Grace Tia Tue, 08/18/2020 - 07:55

Make a Difference From a Distance: Practical Compassion During a Pandemic

God has called us to show compassion to each other. While the world has changed to accommodate the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still ways to show that compassion, even when physically distanced from other people. Here are some suggestions to help you make a difference from a distance, and continue to cultivate empathy. Let these ideas spark your imagination—what else would you add?

Support Children and Families in Foster Care

Supporting children in foster care, their families of origin, and the families that care for them is a great way to care for others. Look for local organizations like Care Portal and Safe Families. These groups, and others like them, are designed to support families in crisis. They provide tangible ways churches can support the needs of hurting children and families. Consider packing care packages to donate to local foster agencies, to give children needed clothes or other items. Find out from your local agencies what items foster kids need most. Some agencies may have virtual tutoring programs right now, to support foster children who are learning at home. Most importantly, pray for all involved in the foster care system.

Reach Out to Your Neighbors

How often do we show our neighbors—whether those that live right next to us or those that are in our broader community—compassion? Sometimes, our interactions may actually drive us to feel frustrated or annoyed. Counter those temptations by reaching out intentionally with care. If you haven’t met your neighbors yet, introduce yourself next time you see them. Leave a kind or encouraging note, or offer to serve them in some way. Pray for each household nearby regularly. Ask God to use you as an instrument of peace in your community and be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Send a Note of Thanks

Notes and cards are another way to help people feel included and remembered. Make a list of people you know and create a schedule to send them a card. Let them know why and how you are grateful for them. Thank them for the role they play in your life. After sealing each envelope, take time to pray for God to bless and encourage them. You can also do this for organizations or institutions you appreciate, like hospitals, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and more.

Support Local Schools

The pandemic has created many challenges for educational professionals. Reach out to your local school and ask what they need at that time. Maybe there’s a need for virtual tutors, or perhaps teachers could use help finding sanitation supplies. Involve your family or friends to make a bigger impact, and like all of these ideas, remember to pray for each need the school shares.

Support Local Organizations

Many organizations, both small and large, are standing in the gap as helpers and advocates while people are experiencing financial hardship, food insecurity, mental health needs, and more. Think of the things that God has put on your heart, and find an organization doing similar work. Perhaps it is a shelter for survivors of human trafficking or an addiction recovery group. Reach out to ask what their greatest needs are, then prayerfully consider how your skills and resources could address any of those needs.

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Ministry during COVID-19 in Africa

Grace Tia — Fri, 29 May 2020 10:46:29 +0000

Ministry during COVID-19 in Africa Grace Tia Fri, 05/29/2020 - 10:46

Ministry during COVID-19 in Africa

Like churches all around the world, Nazarene churches in Africa have pivoted their ministries and community presence due to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. Keep scrolling to see how the church is responding across the continent.

SIERRA LEONE

In Sierra Leone, local Nazarene churches are providing virus awareness and prevention training in groups of less than 10, using appropriate social distancing measures as they instruct. Church members are sewing facemasks for free distribution and placing handwashing stations in public areas to encourage good practices.

RWANDA

Members of Gisenyi Bridge Church of the Nazarene have raised more than $1,200 to support community members who are vulnerable during the country’s COVID-19 lockdown.

The church used the cash to buy two tons of maize, two tons of beans, and 40 boxes of soap, which will benefit at least 350 households—mainly informal cross border traders who are currently out of work.

Rev. Simon Pierre Rwarambi, the Church’s pastor, said they had been inspired by the government’s call to help the most severely vulnerable members of society to cope with the economic consequences of COVID-19.

GHANA

Kuguri and Denungu Churches of the Nazarene prepared liquid soap and distributed it to people in nearby villages, making it easier for families in the northern areas of Ghana to follow sanitation guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19.

COTE D’IVOIRE

In Cote d'Ivoire, Nazarene volunteers have been distributing food and sanitation supplies for families in need. While the country is beginning to reopen schools and restaurants, strict social distancing and face masks are still mandatory in urban areas.

Other distributions have taken place in Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as other countries across the continent.

“We continue to encourage everyone to be united in praying for the world, for our countries, our government and church leaders, our communities, and our families. Remember our medical front liners, those people who are working in the line of defense, and the poor and vulnerable communities during the pandemic.” –NCM Africa

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God at Work in Ukraine

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Serving the Most Vulnerable During a Pandemic

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Serving Christ in a Pandemic Hotspot: Reflections from a Public Health Official

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When Neighbors Become Family: Addressing Need Through Relationships

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The Necessity of Hope

“Hope is necessary because our world needs rescue.”

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Waiting in Hope: Emilio's Story

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Making a Difference through Cash Distributions

BANGLADESH

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Feeding the Body and the Soul: Food Ministry During COVID-19

“The global church is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap for those most in need.”

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Make a Difference From a Distance: Practical Compassion During a Pandemic

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Ministry during COVID-19 in Africa

Like churches all around the world, Nazarene churches in Africa have pivoted their ministries and community presence due to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. Keep scrolling to see how the church is responding across the continent.

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