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2020
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The Kerusso – April | 2020
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Facing our Giants King David had experience with Giants. He knew what it feels like to be outmatched, out-sized, and outnumbered. He knew what it feels like to be hunted and hated. He knew what it feels like to wonder if tomorrow would ever come. In poetic form, he expressed deep fears and swelling dread … “Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles. My enemies shout at me, making loud and wicked threats. They bring trouble on me and angrily hunt me down. My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me. Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.”
Psalm 55:1-5 NLT
The modern-day spread and dread of the COVID-19 virus has some folks experiencing those same feelings: Overwhelmed by trouble … Threats all around … Heart-pounding terror … Fear and trembling … But David didn’t write those things to affirm that fear and dread and terror should win the day. No, he wrote masterful poems such as this one to remind us that God is bigger than the giants we face by continuing to say: “But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice. He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, though many still oppose me. God, who has ruled forever, will hear me and humble them … Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you …” Psalm 55:16-19a, 22a NLT This particular “giant” may be new to us, but it isn’t new to the Master of the Universe. Our God, “who has ruled forever” is not overwhelmed, and therefore, we who are His chosen - - His children, don’t have to be either. Trust in the Lord! He will protect and provide. Even in the middle of our worst nightmares, He is the Shepherd who promises to lead us to quiet streams, even if we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. (Psalm 23) Giants, even giants like this virus, will fall. Our God never will.
The Kerusso – April | 2020
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
We are Family! What do families do when situations change, previous opportunities fade, and new challenges present themselves? Wait for it …… they PIVOT. We do it all the time. A child gets a fever and we have to call in sick, missing a day or two of work. A broken-bone-accident happens in the backyard, and the upcoming weekend picnic gets traded for a visit to the emergency room, and a set of crutches for six weeks. The house sold in a matter of days instead of weeks, and we find ourselves having to find a place to store our belongings until the new place is ready. Every situation is different, but the one thing that doesn’t change is that things DO change. But in the face of all of it, we find ways to stay connected … to stay united. This coronavirus is one of those unplanned incidents that causes a massive shift in plans. And to be sure, for some it is far more than an inconvenience. It may be a life-threatening struggle, and we pray for God’s grace, strength, and healing for those who find themselves there. For the rest of us, it means a shift in plans. The USA Cabinet of Superintendents has made the decision to suspend or cancel the first three Journey meetings for 2020 for reasons explained below. This means that we will not be gathering in Texas, California, or Oregon three, four, and five weeks from now. (Please note that all pre-paid registrations will be returned to you as soon as possible.) But the thing that does not change is the fact that we are FAMILY. And when families face challenges, they rise to the occasion. In addition to the public safety factor in helping limit the spread of COVID-19, and out of respect for restrictions imposed by state and local governments, we are taking the proactive step to suspend these 3 gatherings because we SINCERELY don’t want to further burden your individual or church budgets by requiring unnecessary travel in the immediate future. We are all wondering just how impacting these days will be on our finances, and your EMC Leaders want you to know we are thinking of you in making this decision. Rather than looking for extra dollars for fuel, hotels, and meals away from home, we want you to keep your resources focused right there on ministry to your local church and community. At present, we are still planning to host one face-to-face Journey meeting in North Carolina, at Crosslink Church from June 4-6. And we will be live-streaming several of those teaching, preaching, and business sessions so that others around the country can join with us electronically. More information about this will be forthcoming in future weeks via email and next month’s Kerusso, so watch for those details. As International General Superintendent, I have felt led to focus our minds on one word this year - FAMILY. No matter whether we are in Asia, Africa, Europe, Mexico, Canada, or America, WE ARE FAMILY. Regardless of whether we worship in southern Alabama, or San Diego … in upstate New York, or on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State, WE ARE FAMILY. We are one in mind and spirit, and we have ONE great God and King, and He will help and guide us through all of these changes. We appreciate each member, each leader, each pastor, and each church across the EMC; not only in the USA, but across the globe. And we are praying for you to be blessed, encouraged, and covered by God’s sheltering wings.
The Kerusso – April | 2020
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Prayer Opportunities
Over and again, our God demonstrates His genius by drawing good things from what appear to be bad circumstances. The Apostle Paul recognized this, stating it this way to the church in Rome as they faced huge challenges and severe persecution: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV Several good things are happening as our churches and people deal with shelter-in-place mandates, and social-distancing guidelines. For one thing, the incredible value of connection, service, and ministry are being highlighted. We need each other … we need connection. A great many folks are commenting via social media, noting how very much they miss face-to-face fellowship, and physical interactions such as hugs and handshakes. Moreover, the church is being reminded of one of its most basic missional priorities - to simply care for people. Armies of ordinary people are reaching out to the sick, the weak, and the eldest to make sure they have basic necessities, and recuperative care. And one other positive result of this crisis is a rise in our commitments to prayer. God alone is our hope. He alone is our safety. He alone is our refuge, Who specifically invites us to run to Him for help. “Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’” Matthew 11:28 NLT For the last several years, the EMC has invited our people around the world to band together in Seven Days of United Prayer, culminating on Palm Sunday. Judy Edwards and EMC’s Department of Prayer led us through these days last year, and had planned to do so again this year, but as the COVID-19 situation started to impact more countries and localities, they began to sense the Lord directing in a different way, and were waiting for clarity from the Holy Spirit. During this same timeframe, the Cabinet of USA Superintendents felt led to hold and host weekly prayer meetings for the next many weeks as we work through these challenges. These two thoughts came together, and they felt the witness of the Spirit that these prayer meetings would be the centerpiece of our Global United Prayer efforts for this year. The Cabinet of Superintendents will meet privately every Thursday morning for a time of focused prayer, and then host a Facebook LIVE session of prayer, inviting people from around the country, and the world to join with them in praying for protection, peace, wisdom, resources, and strength.
From the Department of Prayer
Weekly prayer sessions will begin this Thursday, April 2 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. Click here or go to Facebook and navigate to our denominational page: https://www.facebook.com/EvangelicalMethodistChurchInternational/ As we walk through this unusual time, many of us have not been able to gather physically for corporate worship, and it has reminded us of what we already knew… the church IS NOT a building, WE are the Church! And we always have audience with our Father through prayer. I believe He is reminding us to be people of prayer – calling our EMC Family to a strong prayer focus throughout the month of April. It will look a little different than our former Global United Prayer Focus, but we believe it is God’s direction. The Department of Prayer is excited to participate with the Superintendents in their Thursday Facebook Live prayer meetings and focus on united prayer in our homes, churches and communities. Here are some ways we can unite in prayer throughout April with our EMC Family all across the globe: Gather regularly to pray with those in your own household daily or as often as you can Ponder who you could meet with by phone, social media, or other electronic platforms at least once a week Pre-plan dates/times for prayer with others and put them on your calendar now Add the Superintendent’s Thursday Facebook Live prayer meetings to your calendar and plan to join if possible. (If you can’t join the live session, they’ll be recorded and you can participate whenever your schedule allows) • • • • •
Pray for health and safety Pray for the coronavirus to diminish and healing for the sick Pray for Superintendent’s Thursday Facebook Live prayer meetings to share Christ Pray for EMC churches around the world as they share real hope with others Pray for financial provision for families, churches, and ministries