Covid Impact on God’s Kingdom
Written by Ps Zheng Haoren
The Covid-19 virus is not partial to princes nor does it favour rich over poor. It does not recognise race, gender, age, physical abilities, or religious affiliation. It strikes where it will. So, how has it impacted God’s Kingdom on earth?
Crises & Compassion The children of God in this age are not spared. Countless have perished around the world. The number of pastors and Christian leaders who have died in South Asia in the course of pastoral care to their flocks and acts of compassion to suffering communities has given rise to a growing concern for the future of church and Christian leadership in these regions. Despite this looming crisis and other challenges, the Covid-19 virus has also brought out the best in Jesus’ followers from amongst the churches and agencies we are associated with in several nations.
When humanitarian crises arising from sudden lockdowns occurred in 2020, the immediate reaction of our overseas missions contacts was to organise food and disaster relief programmes. Christian compassion shone. Our contacts did not ask anything for themselves until months later when their own resources ran out. At home, Zion Bishan mounted the Food Aid programme for Bishan and Sin Ming beneficiaries, and opened our premises to a few homeless people.
Brokenness & Baptism Church congregations globally have experienced significant religious contraction due to lockdowns and safety restrictions over prolonged periods. Changes to social and economic behaviour have also floated up human brokenness that had been previously dormant or camouflaged because of pre-Covid norms. As a result, while some are turning away from the faith, others have been found by Jesus in this pandemic.
We see this trend in the continuing reports of baptisms and new communities of worshippers being established in Global South countries. By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, churches and missionaries have found new ways to reach the lost and the broken. It is amazing how technology has enabled evangelism to take place cross culturally over virtual outreach events. And we are increasingly hearing stories of people from very strong Gospel-resistant places receiving dreams and visions from the Lord. Others found hope in this pandemic through Christian correspondence courses and satellite broadcasting programmes. God is at work – it’s certainly remarkable!
Learning & Living In information transmission, technology again has proven to be more than a friendly advocate of the Gospel work. The plights of the oppressed in dark places and the spiritually deprived in enemy strongholds have been documented and revealed to Christendom. This has propelled God’s people to intercede on bended knees. The Almighty God hears and He is revealing Himself in these last days. His people are learning and gearing up for the remaining task of the Great Commission.
Zion Bishan is on track. With the global population converging into cities all over the world, willingly and unwillingly, the Lord has placed us where we are able to live out our Christian calling faithfully. We are living in a modern urban city, well-resourced in many ways, and positioned to contribute in evangelism and missions in our own city and cities beyond. What is needed now is equipping and preparation. This is the goal of Zion Bishan’s Missions Month 2021! Its theme is “Urban Missions” and sermons & events will pan out over the month of July. Join us!
