GBC Responds to COVID-19 Pandemic
UPDATE: May 1st, 2020
All of the US regions of our fellowship have resolved to help out our brothers and sisters in India, Africa and Central/South America during this worldwide lockdown. Many thousands of our own are going without food and housing as this worldwide lockdown enters its second month.
It takes but $100 (on average) to cover housing for a family in India (and the rest of the 'majority' world) and $50 to stave off hunger (currently this monthly package of food for four includes modest bags of rice, wheat, lentils, sugar, oil and some spices).
In India, over 2000 disciples are without any income. Unlike the US, there's no social safety net for our brothers and sisters in the majority world. When the George's surveyed the 24 Bible Talk Leaders in their region, they found that ALL 24 had lost most or all of their income - and most had families with children. Those that have received aid have turned around and used portions of it to share with their neighbors who are often in even greater distress - amazing.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us in the minority world to show worldwide unity and love and bring swift relief to our hungry and hurting brothers. In HRC, we are asking every family to support an Indian family (or African or South American) with $150 to cover food and housing for a month. If a HRC family has been unaffected by the lockdown, then we asking them to consider even greater relief, perhaps two or three families. For just such a time as this, we have the honor to be God's workmanship, created in Him to do this good work which He has prepared beforehand for us to accomplish.
HOPE will cut through all the red tape to get this relief to the right people through the right and legal channels. Even with transfer fees and other logistical hurdles, they have committed that 90% or more of the money will make it into the very hands of brothers and sisters in immediate need.
We are directing our members to give at https://hopeww.kindful.com or via our own online giving which already includes a pulldown option for COVID-19 Response.
Dear Sisters and Brothers across the Greater Baltimore Region,
The Church Leadership Group is continuing to petition the Lord and to closely monitor the current coronavirus (COVID- 19) health crisis. Recently, the group convened an advisory task-force comprised of medical professionals from a variety of specialties to enlist their recommendations for our most appropriate next steps. In conjunction with this task-force, we ask that you heed the following:
Pray Continually. Be in daily prayer and intercession. God’s people throughout time have faced and have overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges through the power of prayer. In 1 Samuel 12, Scripture speaks to this power at a similarly challenging juncture in Israel’s history. Specifically in 1 Samuel 12:23 specifically, Samuel decries a failure to pray as a sin against the Lord. We all must be praying.
Be Prudent. If you begin to exhibit symptoms that present as COVID-19, call your primary care physician or, if you do not have a primary care physician, visit your nearby Urgent Care Center (Patient first, Righttime Medical, Medstar Promptcare etc.) with questions concerning your symptoms. Proverbs 27:12 (For CDC & COVID- 19 Symptoms click here).
Consider Others Above Self. If you become ill and are diagnosed by a doctor with COVID-19 or any other virus, stay home from work or school, to convalesce and to mitigate the spread of infection to others. Philippians 2:3-4
Tend to your Infirmed. If someone in your household becomes ill and contracts COVID-19, make sure they are in a separate room and have them use a separate bathroom (if at all possible). Clean with bleach the surfaces of their room and/or bathroom daily. Use disposable paper plates and plastic utensils to serve the sick their meals. Matthew 25:34-40 (For CDC & COVID- 19 at home care click here).
Wash Well. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds several times a day.
Sanitize Well. Wipe surfaces and door handles in your home with sanitizer wipes. When you go out, wipe down shopping carts with sanitizing wipes before handling them. Use sanitizing wipes on objects such as TV remotes, cellphones, car steering wheel, gas pumps, etc.
Sneezing and Coughing Etiquette. Sneeze and cough into your shoulders or into a napkin you then discard. Refrain from touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands.
Avoid Unnecessary Exposure. Avoid unnecessary exposure in crowded areas such as movie theaters, shopping malls, restaurants, etc.
Fly Safely. If you must fly, it is advised that you take the window seat (if at all possible). You will want to avoid exposure to others on the plane. Open the air vent above your seat to assist in circulating the air overhead.
Emergency Contacts. Have an emergency contact list close by.
Check-in. Check in with vulnerable and high risk members of your family and family groups. (Click here to view profile of individuals at high risk of contracting COVID-19).
Since the nature, the reach, and the effects of the virus continue to develop from week to week, we, your church leadership group will also continue to provide frequent updates on our next steps. Consequently (and in alignment with state and federal government directives), all wholesale meetings of the body have been suspended until further notice. Instructions for meeting house churches will be sent to family group leaders promptly. Continue to check your email, the church’s website, and the church app for updates. In the meantime, we ask that you observe the following when meeting in your small groups:
Sanitize. Have hand sanitizers on hand (if possible) for members.
Limit Physical Contact. Refrain from shaking hands, hugging, or having much other physical contact. Simply say hi and wave.
Creatively Connect. During this time, we do not cease to be followers of Jesus. We should utilize all possible means of connecting to the fellowship while engaging in the practices discussed here. Continue to share the faith and hope you have in Christ with all you encounter and with each other, and all the more as we undergo this crisis. Use technology to connect and to encourage. Hebrews 10:25
Stay Home. Refrain from attending family group meetings if you become ill or immunocompromised.
Pre-packaged Communion. Have single prepackaged communion cups on hand.
Online Sermon. View sermon feed online. A link will be made available for family groups to stream services online.
Contribution. Continue to give contribution through the church app. or checks by mail.
Church Center App: CLICK HERE
Online: CLICK HERE
Mail Checks to: PO Box 1081 Argyle TX 76226
Rein in Fear. Watch out and pray through all your fears. Watch and pray that fears do not blossom into the sin of prejudice and bias. Matthew 7:1-6. Do not engage in or condone the practices of unwholesome, destructive speech that may disparage others from highly affected regions around the world. Engage with stigmatized groups and pray for healing. In so doing, we fulfill our debt of love to all God’s children Romans 13:8.
We love you all and will continue to pray diligently that the mighty hand of our Lord God guides us through this time.
With Love,
The Leadership Group & Staff
Helpful Links: