“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season (whether it is convenient or inconvenient); convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching… As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist; fulfil your ministry.”
2 Timothy 4:1-2,5

How quickly things change.

Even a month ago, who would've imagined how drastically things could change around the world. The reality remains though, for you and me, in our Jesus the Lord, nothing changes in terms of the command he has given us to tell others: Jesus changed my life and he can change yours! This call to bear witness to the risen Lord remains in effect in all seasons, whether it is convenient or inconvenient. He wants everyone to know his love, forgiveness, and power to change.

Our Lord Jesus has freed us from sin, Satan, and death in order to be his witnesses of an entirely new life. Jesus promises us fullness of life presently and everlasting life with him. The life he has given us is not only for ourselves, but for the sake of others. Every baptized Christian is to be his servant on mission! He has made you and me to be ambassadors of Christ, God making his appeal through us. We are called to offer the life-giving, fear-stopping, Good News on behalf of Christ―be reconciled to God!

Even when inconvenient, he has a plan for us to be able to advance his mercies and love to others. Think of Sts. Paul and Silas beaten with rods, bloodied, and shackled in the bowels of a jail, and at midnight what are they doing? Worshipping God with spiritual songs! (Acts 16:25) Why? Because they knew whom they served and their hearts were set on heaven. They worshipped the Lord in their circumstances (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). An earthquake occurs and the jailer and his family receive the Lord Jesus and are baptized. They were still on mission―worshipping God and setting the captives free.

We as a team have been praying and talking about how to support you in our common mission in these unpredictable urgent times.

 

How about some practicals?

First off, as I already said, nothing changes in terms of each of our mission to bear witness to the Lord Jesus. Let’s all stay close to the Lord in daily prayer, trusting his sovereignty over all things. Let us resist the devil’s tactics to subject us to fear of sickness and death.

Remember the truth that the Lord through his own "death has freed those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life" (Hebrews 2:14-15). We know the truth and it will set us free as we ask God, by his Holy Spirit, to draw us more fully into his promises to be more like him! He wants us have our hearts set on the goal of heaven and bringing as many others along with us as can.

 

Let us help you continue your ChristLife courses.

We have heard from a number of you that ChristLife courses have been canceled because you can no longer meet together at parishes. To support you, we want to offer you free video rentals for all course teachings for the next few months.

Click here to learn how to mobilize your small group facilitators to lead online small groups.

Together we want to continue to fulfill the task the Lord Jesus has given us and we believe he is leading us! We look forward to hearing all that the Lord will do during this season.

Nothing is impossible for him. Nothing! Our hearts cry, give us more souls to discover, follow and share the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us worship the Lord. Give him thanks and praise, always and in all circumstances. He is Lord of all history. Intercede for the Church and the nations, especially the lost.

 

Please pray for us and consider supporting us financially. We are having many events canceled and ask you to partner with us during this season as we together press on to make him known, loved, and served.