United in Christ

July 15, 2020 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We hope this letter finds you keeping well in your physical circumstances, as well as being nourished and strengthened in the word and promises of God. He is always at work on our behalf, working everything together for our good. Our purpose in writing to you is to encourage you in your faithfulness in spite of the ongoing anomalies we and the rest of our world are currently experiencing.

Over the last several months our church community has witnessed a variety of challenges as a result of the COVID-19 virus. While most have had to manage physical distancing restrictions that have prevented normal church meetings, others have also been impacted by illness and deaths of family and friends, unemployment, limited food or medical supplies, as well as restrictions that limit travel or return to homes.

On the positive side, we’ve seen greater focus on and implementation of house churches where every home has become a sanctuary for worship and fellowship. Numerous churches have successfully utilised media, such as livestreaming of Sabbath worship and mid-week Bible Studies, to further strengthen and nurture our spiritual fellowship.

While we may not know what the immediate future holds, apart from perhaps having to further negotiate perilous and difficult times, we take solace and comfort from the absolute assurance from God’s word that everything that happens to us is within God’s higher and ultimate will and purpose. We find the promises, for example, in Psalms 91 encouraging, and the words from Habakkuk 3:17-19 particularly relevant. Throughout scripture we see the testimonies of those faithful men and women who lived through not so dissimilar times; Hebrews 11 reminds us of their struggles, and notes that though “they were not worthy of this world”, they were “commended for their faith.”

There’s no time like the present when the life of Christ becomes magnified in us. Instead of prolonged sorrow and despair, we rejoice at the sureness of God’s providence. Like Abraham’s faith, our faith in Jesus is attributed to us as righteousness. We are the leaders of today, in an age where “truth has fallen in the public squares.” As a result of this challenging climate, we see new (often unexpected), equipped and faithful leaders emerge. As disciples of Jesus, we are salt and light to the world around us.

We urge you to continue with us in prayer during this time as never before, dedicating specific times each day to privately come before our heavenly Father in praise and petition. Pray that the Body of Christ is granted favour and strength. Pray for our pastors and our national leaders. Pray for those of your family. Pray for your neighbours. Pray for wisdom, patience and grace in all situations. Remember that our battle is a spiritual one – one that’s already won in Jesus’ victory. Pray for us, as we too remember you.

In the name of Jesus Christ,

On behalf of the International Ministerial Congress,