I WILL NEVER FORGET walking out of Andy’s Diner in Hawthorne, New Jersey, one cloudless September morning. An enormous column of smoke churned upward over New York City, just over 10 miles from where I stood. It was September 11, 2001.
The rest of the day was a blur – staring at CNN news with Rena, checking on our kids at school, calming a distraught dad determined to take his child out of school, praying with a frightened father whose daughter worked in Tower One, seeing police cars encircling the Jewish temple close to our house, waiting with a young wife whose husband worked on the 94th floor, praying with people at our church until after midnight.
Right away we saw God at work. Neighbors helped one another. Traffic flowed courteously. Families filled our church. Christians gathered to pray and read Scripture together. Some changed jobs – even careers – to give priority to what matters most in life. Men and women gave their lives to Christ.
Jonathan Edwards scoured news sources of his day (mid-1700s), looking for ways God was advancing the gospel around the world. He often found them in difficulties that demonstrated how vulnerable our prosperity is and how fragile our lives are on this earth. We can too.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET COVID-19. It’s hard not to focus on the increasing cases and deaths, dwindling medical supplies, and our slumping economy. Instead, look for ways God is advancing the gospel in your family, neighborhood, church and community. Pray for and get on board with what He is doing for eternity in these uncertain days. We all are more open to the hope of Jesus when we face the reality of how vulnerable our prosperity is and how fragile our lives are on this earth.
Now imagine living every day all your life with that kind of vulnerability and fragility. That’s normal life for people in Haiti and many other countries in the world. That’s why Christians there are eager to grow spiritually and why many non-Christians are open to the good news of Jesus.
That’s why training and resourcing church leaders in poor countries is eternally important! That’s why Partnership of Pastors is actively involved in making that happen! Continue to pray for us as we develop this ministry to indigenous church leaders. Consider partnering monthly with us to make this training available to more pastors living and leading churches in vulnerable, fragile areas. Get more info HERE.