Coronavirus Emergency Network launched by agencies

The newly formed Barnabas Coronavirus Emergency Network of 90 associations including GAFCON and EFAC is focusing on providing food, paying pastors’ salaries (since tithes cannot be collected) and securing hygiene materials, in particular sourcing hundreds of thousands of masks.

A letter to their Africa Co-ordinating Committee presided over by Archbishop Ben Kwashi, the General Secretary of GAFCON, and led by the Very Rev Patrick Sookhdeo, dean theologian of the Church of Nigeria, states the goal is to enable the Christian communities to remain operational with a working leadership so that they can work with other bodies, local administration and the Governments to deliver resources, care and comfort.

Archbishop Kwashi issued diocesan guidelines and a video to encourage people to ‘Believe the virus can be defeated, wash their hands and stay home’.

Barnabas has identified major security problems in securing food supplies from the threat of theft, the release of funds from banks and its security in transfer. They are requiring that 100 per cent of gifts given reach the recipients with no deductions for overheads.

The network has distributed help so far to Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda.

They have also issued advice and seven points of spiritual encouragement from their International Director, Patrick Sookhdeo, for combatting fear:

• Discipline our minds not to give way to emotions of fear. Fill your minds instead with the Word of God and his promises and apply them to our own situation. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim 1:7, NKJV).
• 2.Deliberately put our trust in God. Tell him in prayer. Speak it aloud. Sing it. “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10).
• Acknowledge that God is in control of our lives and nothing happens by accident. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” (Matthew 10:29).
• Remember that God cares for us. “Casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you,” (1 Peter 5:7, NKJV).
• Embrace the Divine will, whatever comes. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
• 6 Know the End – an eternal glory, which far outweighs “our light and momentary troubles” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
• Care for others – “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10).

Read here

See the Emergency Network page on the Barnabas Fund website here