A pastor’s perspective
Dear friends,
I know we are all deeply concerned about the rise of COVID cases and hospitalizations in our city.
As a pastor and church leader, I see the massive need for the Church to be able to gather to worship, fellowship, encourage and equip one another for these difficult days. I need it.
This past Sunday, my heart was filled with joy to baptize a dear brother and new believer in the faith, to see kids run into their new classes and meet their new Sunday School teachers, to worship, to hear truth and to listen to each other’s stories and prayer needs.
Despite these joyous times, our hospitals are crowded; our frontline health care workers are stretched thin; and we are all weary from COVID concerns.
Many of you have asked about my thoughts on the vaccine.
I am not a medical expert and don’t claim to be, but I’m so grateful to see statistics that seem to demonstrate that vaccines are drastically aiding those who contract COVID from going into the hospital and significantly reducing symptoms if a breakthrough case occurs.
I encourage you to talk to your doctor or health care provider about what is best for you, your family and your specific situations.
Every health care professional I know has been incredibly receptive and open to talk and navigate through fears, concerns or questions.
Whatever your decision, my desire is for us all to be safe, wise and gracious as we draw near to the Lord daily. His grace is sufficient!
Pastor Mark Bethea
First Baptist Church Montgomery, Ala.
via Facebook
“If God so loved the world, who decided we shouldn’t?”
Carey Nieuwhof
Speaker, podcaster, author and founding pastor of Connexus Church in Ontario, Canada
Afghanistan is already a brutal place for the Church. Followers of Jesus are under constant risk, and the danger they face is very real.
Afghanistan is No. 2 on the 2021 World Watch List, and God’s people live under intense pressure and the threat of imminent violence. The most important thing we can do right now is pray.
Open Doors USA
As Christians, we believe each person is made with intrinsic value in the image of God, and we cannot treat any person’s life as expendable. … Our government has a particular obligation to those who are now facing threats upon their lives due to their service to the United States, and to go back on our commitment to them would be a moral failing with reverberating consequences for decades to come.
Excerpt from letter to the White House from leaders of the Evangelical Immigration Table
Regarding the situation in Haiti, please pray for:
- Safe transportation of humanitarian relief and equitable distribution of help to all the victims.
- Powerful witness of Christian compassion during the crisis.
- Generous contributions to arrive in a timely fashion for rebuilding, including for damaged churches.
- Limited greed and misuse of funds and relief materials.
- Vision and political will for local authorities so they seek primarily the welfare of the people.
- Political breakthrough and stability through meaningful negotiations among political groups and civil society so the nation can go forward after the assassination of the president.
- That credible and experienced citizens in-country and in the diaspora are raised and find visibility as potential political leaders for the nation.
Edner Jeanty, executive director
Barnabas Christian Leadership Center
Port-au-Prince, Haiti via Christianity Today
From the Twitterverse
@jdgreear
What’s happening in Afghanistan goes far beyond political maneuvering. These are the lives of actual people. And there are small pockets of followers of Jesus about to face persecution most of us could never dream of. Pray for peace for the country’s sake. This is devastating.
@nathanafinn
I’m no foreign policy expert, so I won’t say too much about what might have been because there is too much I just don’t know. This much I do know: What has transpired in Afghanistan is a tragedy for religious freedom, the safety of women and girls and basic human flourishing.
@EdLitton
Following news of hundreds of deaths in Haiti and the Taliban seizing control of Afghanistan, please continue to pray for the people of both nations. Though different circumstances, precious people made in God’s image are facing great difficulties and unimaginable suffering.
@EtowahBaptist
In times like these, may our hearts be burdened and our prayers echo that of Colossians 1:9–14: “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you …”
@ethicist
Reading God’s word in the morning fortifies your soul for the day; reading God’s word in the evening calms your soul for rest.
@shane_pruitt78
Believe it or not … both vaccinated & unvaccinated people need Jesus. Both pro-mask & anti-mask people need Jesus. Both red state & blue state people need Jesus.
As Christians, when we scream our opinions about lesser things, we’re losing our voice to share the main thing: JESUS!
@johnmarkclifton
The greatest need & the most impacting opportunity in North America today is the revitalization of the tens of thousands of normative size churches. These churches are in every hamlet and neighborhood. Often led by hardworking pastors of great character. What untapped potential!
@ronniep
Jesus told us we wouldn’t fit. Don’t be surprised when you don’t. Count it joy. Remember, we are exiles.
@LysaTerKeurst
Hold on to this truth tonight, friend … God loves you too much to answer your prayers at any other time than the right time and in any other way than the right way.
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