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HARVESTFORCE 2020 • 3
RESOURCES
LOVE through UNITY IN ACTION T
he COVID-19 pandemic has escalated at an alarming speed, infecting millions and impacting economies as countries imposed tight restrictions to halt its spread. Even as Singapore battles and grapples with the crisis, the three Annual Conferences (CAC, ETAC, and TRAC), together with our Methodist churches and donors, have come together in unity to respond to the needs in our MMS mission fields affected by the pandemic. MMS Home Office has been working closely with our field teams to prepare, respond, and strengthen their ability to provide assistance to their beneficiaries. We have united in solidarity to show love in action, pray and provide financial aid via our Crisis Relief Fund of about $50,000, so that our leaders, pastors, national workers, and local churches in our mission fields could respond and provide immediate relief to affected families. We hear of heart-breaking difficulties from our fields’ church members and their Grace Chung families as to what they are going through as well as concerns about their livelihoods MMS Church after losing jobs because of the lockdown measures. Teachers in our schools are Engagement Manager. choosing to continue teaching while taking pay cuts. Parents are unable to pay She also handles the for school fees, children cannot afford medical care for their ageing parents, and Donor and Fundraising Management. She numerous church members are facing similar circumstances. worships at Grace Despite the storms of adversity, we witness their sheer resilience and faith as so Assembly of God. many persevere through this crisis. Pastors are praying fervently, national workers are reaching out with food, essentials, and basic sanitisation are supplied to the families and children. Leaders are stepping up to raise funds to pay salaries and more. These efforts have shown God’s love in action to those in need and those who have yet to receive Christ. They are also a testimony to the families of our school children and the surrounding communities that we communicated our love not only with words, but also through compassionate actions. The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder that each of us cannot overcome crisis alone and that we are all God’s people called to serve and support one another. Truly, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 (NIV) We humbly invite you to pray with us for the mission fields, Home visitation to a 12-year-old paralysed girl in Thailand to partner with us to expand God’s Kingdom, and to contribute financially e.g. to MMS General Fund. Your contributions could be life-changing for someone out in the mission fields. We can achieve more together than alone. We are made strong when we come together in the name of Christ. It is our hope that Editor’s note: the work of missions will further inspire us all to press on to share This article was first the Gospel, to build committed disciples for Christ, and to share our published in the love through our twin strategy of church planting and community August 2020 issue of development. Methodist Message.
