RICHMOND, Va. (BP) — As the global coronavirus crisis nears pandemic status, the International Mission Board announced Friday (Feb. 28) a coronavirus task force to address implications for IMB personnel and partners, including church volunteer mission teams.
“We recognize the concern that coronavirus is causing, and we are grateful for individuals and churches who are praying for IMB personnel and for people around the world directly affected by the virus,” IMB President Paul Chitwood said in a press release. “We are continually monitoring the global situation and remain in frequent contact with our missionaries to take the best precautions possible related to their health and safety.”
Updates and recommendations are available to IMB personnel, partners and mission teams at the newly launched website imb.org/COVID-19.
The virus has killed at least 2,858 people and sickened more than 83,000 globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported in a Friday press briefing.
Coronavirus has met two of the three criteria for pandemic status, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Thursday, and WHO issued Friday a global “very high” alert for coronavirus transmission, raising the alert from “high.”
“The task force recommends that personnel and church partners monitor the CDC guidelines and follow the latest recommendations regarding travel and virus prevention,” IMB said in its press release. “IMB suggests churches frequently monitor travel advisories in order to make wise and prayerful decisions about mission trips planned in the near future.”
The new website also offers a portal to financially support ministry efforts in specific areas impacted by the virus.
“Local partners and personnel urgently need supplies to continue responding to those affected,” IMB said on the site. “Your gift will supply critically needed face mask packs, hand sanitizer, medical supplies, and other resources that will be distributed to individuals and families across the country.”
Southern Baptists ministering in certain high risk areas have reported a rising receptivity to the Gospel, Chitwood said Thursday during a luncheon address at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
“The reality of death sets in on us in a way that is so undeniable,” SWBTS quoted Chitwood. “So we’re praying for a great movement of the Holy Spirit; for more and more people to be saved.”
As the rate of new cases slows in China, at least five countries reported their first cases Thursday, and the U.S. documented its first case in a person who hasn’t travelled abroad, according to WHO and widespread media reports. The virus has variously affected international economic and social sectors, including Gospel outreaches and discipleship efforts.
IMB has repositioned some missionaries to areas where interaction and ministry are more feasible, SWBTS reported, as other missionaries have elected to remain in high risk locations.
Willow Creek Community Church, a non-Southern Baptist congregation based in Chicago, ended an evangelistic outreach in Karlsruhe, Germany, because of coronavirus concerns, the church tweeted Friday.
“This was done for security reasons,” the church tweeted. “According to health authorities, there was never any danger to the participants.”
Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President Ronnie Floyd, along with Peter Yanes, SBC EC executive director of Asian American relations and mobilization, have urged prayer for a global community increasingly affected by the virus.
Source: Baptist Press
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