Soon after I was saved in my teen years, I selected the following as my life’s verses, and they have served me well: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own under-standing. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
In a way I have never seen before, the whole world seems to “be in the same boat” because of the current pandemic. Like many of you, we have been in a “lockdown” for April and May and have just learned it will be extended until at least June 15. Even though our area has not seen a case of COVID-19 for over two months, we are restricted to our homes except for necessary trips out to get food, medicine, etc. Some are able to go back to work, but church meetings have just recently been allowed to have 10 in attendance with precautions.
During the whole time, Bro. DeMoville has gotten special permission to go to his church office and to preach from the pulpit to broadcast services live on Facebook. In the last two weeks, those between the ages of 20 and 60 are allowed to come to church in 4 locations of 10 each. Obviously, this has greatly restricted our ministry, as you have experienced as well.
We are thankful that we have been healthy and that we are still able to get food and supplies. I still have been writing our Sunday school lessons, which are being taught by a few of our teachers online to students who have access to the Internet. Many times our people have been able to witness online and have seen family members and old schoolmates come to the Lord. Our college students cannot be in classrooms now, but they have been given “divine appointments” where they have been able to win souls to Christ.
I remember the saying, “The stops of a good man are ordered as much as his steps.” I have thought about what the Apostle Paul went through at one point in his life: “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.” (Acts 28:30-31)
Just because we are hindered does not mean that the Word of God is restrained or that the will of God is frustrated. We choose to believe that God has higher purposes in this pandemic than we can realize now; our attitude must be to use this time to grow in our faith and be ready for where He directs our paths.
Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support during a time when many of you have been kept from your jobs. We will be amazed how the Lord will continue to provide for all of us as we keep Him first in our lives.
Please pray for us and our people as we face an uncertain future. We will pray that God will use this time to speak to hearts in America and bring a quickening and revival that is long overdue.
Leaning on His grace,
Scott Christiansen
