Lessons from the Pandemic

The pandemic affords an opportunity for prayer and reflection.

“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” Matthew 9:36, NKJV.

For us here in Uganda, as for you in other parts of the world, the Covid-19 pandemic experience has been devastating; but it has also been very eye opening. God has spoken to us through a bitter and dejecting experience. This is an important time—a turning point. Through this experience, God has given us a valuable opportunity to rethink our mission focus. 

Look! Our expensive cathedrals lie desolate. Millions of useless dollars—funds that could have been used for evangelism—have been spent to beautify our magnificent church buildings, while unreached souls are dying of the virus. They are perishing eternally because of our complacence, our neglect of the great commission of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Look! Our posh cars are commanded to stop! One invisible, minute creature has had the power to cause travel to cease. This microscopic organism has humbled even the greatest on Earth! Instead of helping the weak, the super powers themselves are crying for help. Neither wealth nor ammunition has helped the great nations of the earth—nations that we here in Africa have always stared at in awe and wonder.

Look! The intellect of science has provided no solution for the pandemic that is sweeping over mankind, nor has science availed us any hope! The greatest it has done is to escalate fear and anxiety by circulating dreadful information around the globe, heartbreaking statistics of infections and deaths.

This frightening time has been an opportunity not to let pass. It has been an experience to meditate on, praying for insight from God. Because we desperately needed God’s presence in this time, we made the lockdown our opportunity to dedicate 100 days to prayer. 

Look! We found we had slipped off the rail. We had diverted from the early church methodology of prioritizing the salvation of souls, and had been trying instead to establish centers of influence. Can you imagine? For months our homes have been our churches, and worship has been more personal and devotional than congregational. It has been a good reminder that salvation is personal, and that the execution of the great commission is individual.

Look! Our redemption draws near! “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28, NKJV. Since our salvation is at hand, and the signs indicate that Jesus is coming soon, let us rise and preach; let us tell the world. We cannot be silent any longer. 

Person to person evangelism remains our only option. Even with all the restrictions, we can still spread the gospel to every individual, beginning in our own neighborhoods. For us, for now, radio evangelism is to replace public evangelistic meetings, while one to one Bible work is to continue. We are sending church planters into various mission fields. We are encouraging every believer to be a missionary. If you cannot go physically to give the message of Jesus’ soon return, please give an offering that can enable someone to go on your behalf. Your offerings and your prayers can help our church planters meet the challenges of mission work with confidence!  


Location
Uganda

Author
Pastor John Kaganzi is a district pastor in the Ruhandagazi area in Uganda.

How You Can Help
Pray for the radio program that Pastor John is hosting! Pray that God will use the radio waves to reach many souls. 

Give to the work in Uganda. Needs include church buildings for new congregations, training for church planters and support for church planters. Send you gifts marked “Uganda Evangelism” or “Uganda Churches” to:

Mission Projects International 
PO Box 151
Inchelium, WA 99138

To give online, visit: 
www.missionspro.org/donate

Leave a Reply