How the world has changed in the past few weeks!

As the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic sweeps across the world, there are no aspects of our lives that have been left untouched. Truly, these are momentous times in which we live.

Looking all around us, men’s hearts are failing them for fear. Fear of this silent virus and the harm it may bring, fear for their economic security as financial markets tumble across the globe, and fear of what an uncertain future may yet unveil. May I remind you that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

What better time is there for our Christian witness to demonstrate to the world that Jesus lives in our hearts?

I think of Martin Luther during the Black Plague, the early Christians during the epidemics of their era, and the Adventists during the Spanish Flu. They esteemed others better than themselves, they exemplified the Golden Rule, and they were more concerned about the well-being of their neighbor than their own. Is that not what having the character of Jesus looks like?

Of course, this is not to say that we should be presumptuous and disregard healthful precautions. We certainly should comply with the necessary social distancing requirements to aid our healthcare workers in preserving as many lives as possible, but with the technology available at our fingertips, would it not be irresponsible of us to neglect this opportunity to bring the love of Jesus to fearful people? As significant numbers of people are forced to slow down and spend time at home, more and more of them are seeking community and spiritual strength online. May we not squander this opportunity!

Since AudioVerse has always been an online ministry, little about our operations have changed despite the current restrictions on activity. Our team is continuing our work unabatedly, and we will do all we can to keep providing faith-building, Christ-centered content to minister to the world online.

To this end, we recently released a series of messages related to the coronavirus pandemic from a Biblical and natural healing perspective:

• 3ABN Today: COVID-19 Coronavirus – A panel of presenters including Pastor Mark Finley and Pastor John Lomacang share Bible principles of how to react to the current situation, along with insights from several Adventist physicians.
• Dealing with the Coronavirus from a NEWSTART Perspective – The Weimar Institute shares some tips on how to prevent coronavirus and how you can help others as well.
• Optimizing Our Immune System: Natural Strategies for Preventing and Treating Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Infections – Given early in the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, Dr. Wes Youngberg presciently warned what the potential outcome could be and shared about natural means to enhance our immune systems to fend of this and other respiratory infections.
• COVID-19 Update - March 13, 2020 – Released just a few days ago, Dr. Wes Youngberg gives an update on the situation as restrictions heighten in the US and gives further encouragement of how to react to the changing circumstances around us.
• COVID-19 Coronavirus Playlist – To make it easy for you to locate all of these and other presentations, we have created this playlist where you can find all of them in one place. We will continue to add other messages on this topic to the list as they are released.

Furthermore, the Adventist Church has released a helpful resource guide on how to most effectively use technology for ministry during this season of social distancing: COVID-19: Resources for Churches & Ministries Going Digital. We encourage you to reference this guide especially as your local church may be transitioning to online services and ministry over the next few weeks or months.

May we be wise as serpents but harmless as doves in our ministry during this unique and unprecedented time. While our methods and techniques may need to change, nothing should affect our fervent care and concern for the lost and fearful souls around us.

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 2) May we bring that physical and spiritual healing to all those around us!

Your fellow online missionary,

Alistair Huong
Executive Director

AudioVerse | PO Box 2288 | Collegedale | TN | 37315