International (MNN) — COVID-19 cases continue dropping in the U.S. due to a high vaccination rate. But many other countries in the Middle East and North Africa aren’t seeing that relief.
Worse yet, many churches will have trouble building back after the pandemic. Denise Godwin of International Media Ministries explains. “In many places, they’ve lost as much as half of the church leadership. And I think that’s significant, especially you think about these closed countries where it’s only under threat of persecution that you accept Christ in the first place. The growth required to reach leadership levels is so tenuous and so challenging in those areas where you can’t just sign up and go to seminary.”
In many cases, these leaders got sick by going out and caring for those who had COVID-19. And they weren’t just helping other Christians. They sacrificially helped Muslims as well. Godwin says, “God’s power is shown through the testimony of caring for people who may or may not be your enemies. And this worldwide crisis and pandemic of illness and shutdowns have given an opportunity to the Church.”
Ask God to raise up new leaders for these churches. And pray the love of the Church will bring many people to hope in the risen Jesus.
(Image by Kerstin Riemer from Pixabay)
