Let Us Arise in Hope as We Start 2021 My heart is filled with expectation as we step into a year of new opportunities. By Doug Beacham
DOUG BEACHAM is the presiding bishop of the IPHC. He has served in various roles in the church including Georgia Conference Superintendent, executive director of Church Education Ministries, and executive director of World Missions Ministries. You can follow Bishop Beacham on Facebook or Twitter @DougBeacham.
Encourage Magazine 2
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n preparing to write this column, I went back and read my comments from the January 2020 issue of Encourage to see what I was thinking in the “B.C.” era (that stands for “Before Covid”). The focus was on our core value of generosity, and the riches of Christ’s glory. A year ago, we anticipated a contentious political year in our nation. But we could not anticipate the global impact of the coronavirus and the changes it made to our lives. Now, after months of quarantines, mask wearing, Zoom calls, online church meetings and contentious politics, I think most of us are glad 2020 is behind us! Now, I recognize the Holy Spirit’s timely call for the IPHC regarding generosity. You have responded locally and globally by giving far beyond what any of us imagined. I’m grateful that the IPHC family has acted with inspiring generosity to the needs of the world through this pandemic. World Missions Ministries has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of relief around the globe, and local congregations have stood in the gap for their members and surrounding communities. As we step into 2021, I find my heart filled with great hope. My expectations are not based on the availability and success of a coronavirus vaccine—though we all pray for such an outcome. It’s not based on elections and the promises of politicians—though we pray for our leaders. Rather, my hope and expectation are in Jesus Christ. The IPHC’s identity has been clearly expressed as “a Place of Hope and a People of Promise.” This statement is based on Isaiah 54:2-3. I have rejoiced as I’ve seen
