Steadfast: The Gospel and COVID-19

Posted on March 17, 2020

I have been meeting with team members from around the world over the last few days to discuss how they are being affected by news of COVID-19.  I’m happy to report to you that our national team members in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America are remaining “steadfast” in their work to serve the pastors and churches in the hard places who are looking to us in this time of uncertainty.  Our team believes that the gospel is the world’s greatest need—and that is why we exist as an organization.

During a meeting with one of our team members who lives in India I asked, “How are you and your family doing?” He broke down and said to me, “My greatest concern right now in this time of uncertainty is for the people in my country to hear the gospel.” Wow! And then it hit me: That is my greatest need. That is my family’s greatest need. That is the greatest need of our world.

The gospel is “good news” for our souls in the midst of COVID-19 and uncertain times. The gospel teaches us that though we might be physically separated from each other, there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:35–39). The gospel teaches us that trials and difficulties will come, but He is at work for good in “all things” (Rom 8:28). The gospel teaches us that while this world is broken with disease and disappointment, God is on a mission to “make all things new” (Rev. 21:5).

Because of the gospel, our team is remaining “steadfast and unmovable” (I Cor 15:58) throughout the world—in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and here in the United States. Like you, we are taking every necessary precaution to “be careful” while we are serving the world. But we cannot stop doing what God has called us to do, because the gospel is the world’s greatest need. In fact, the world needs hope like never before.

We will be sending you more updates on how we are mobilizing our international team to serve the world with the gospel in this time of need. This is an opportunity for us to be the church and to respond to this world in need. We are so grateful for your continued support for the work we are doing around the world. We cannot do this work with you. “Be strong and of good courage” and “remain steadfast and unmovable” because of Christ.

For the Gospel and Our Team,

Lionel Young