Voice of Truth: 3rd Edition, May/June 2021

A WARRIOR FOR GOD’S TRUTH AND JUSTICE STANDING IN THE GAP- PART 2 written by Sandy Yozipovic 2020 was a year of trials for many, but through it all, I saw God prevail, living up to His promise, “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NLT) Despite the pandemic, which caused infection in over 141 million people and resulted in death for over 3 million people worldwide, God’s hand was apparent as 97%-98% of those infected have survived. God’s hand was also evident in other ways: did you know that thousands of people accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior during the 2nd half of 2020 right here in the United States? In July alone, over 500 worshippers were baptized in Huntington Beach, California; another 1,000 people were baptized in Newport Beach in September; and, according to CBN, this was happening weekly all up and down the western coast of the United States. New believers were being baptized not only in the waters off the beaches of California, but also in lakes and in swimming pools across the country. These baptisms happened even as many churches throughout the world were forced to close their buildings, as nothing will stop God from drawing people to His kingdom.

Many churches found unconventional ways to meet safely even during the height of the pandemic.

My church, for example, The Living Word Bible Church in Mesa, California, hosted drive-in church services in their huge parking lot. They set up a giant stage with lights and screens, and never closed!

The parking lot was packed for every service. Other churches met online and saw their numbers grow.

Even when Satan attempts to take away our right to worship, God finds a way to make His name known!

Individuals and churches also stepped up to serve others in need, even when many were in need themselves. Church families donated food to hundreds of families who were affected by the shutdown.

Some also provided basic home essentials such as toilet paper, paper towels and water. God was moving and His people were serving.

God’s hand also continued to work outside the church. One cause that is near and dear to my own heart is child sex trafficking prevention. I have been involved in creating awareness for child sex trafficking for the last ten years through Women World Changers and can tell you first hand that throughout the pandemic, God continued to bless our efforts There were approximately 200,000 missing children rescued from sex trafficking worldwide during the pandemic. The exact numbers are not available to the public yet as rescue teams are still conducting sex trafficking stings weekly, spearheaded by 62