COVID-19 - Discipling Marketplace Leaders

Coalition for Action

The church has left the building in most parts of the world, but the church has not ceased to exist. We have been preaching for years that the church is the people of God, the “called-out ones.” And now, we get to practice what we preach.

In this time of crisis, we look to the government and to the medical experts, but the Church also has a voice and has an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to people in need at this time. That takes unity and a coalition to work together and know each other’s challenges.

We believe that the current pandemic calls for a pan-Christian response. We believe, as God’s Church, that He is calling us to stand together in the face of bad information and misinformation. We believe that EVERY PERSON is able to be the Church in their sphere of influence, and do all they can do to love their neighbor in this critical time.

The following Coalition for Action is a statement of commitment by Denominations, Ministries, and Christian Institutions, and churches to obey their country directives concerning COVID-19 and apply wisdom to the challenges and opportunities presented by it. We agree with the great Reformer Martin Luther:

“I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.” [Martin Luther in a letter to Rev. Dr. John Hess, 1527, concerning a plague that hit his town of Wittenberg.]

Please read the full document for endorsing this coalition: Coalition for Action COVID-19
Please join this coalition if you so choose after reading the full document.
To see the full listing of all those who have already joined, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

To read inspirational and theological wisdom regarding the situation concerning COVID-19, please look at the options below:
- 10 Commandments for Responsible Pastoral Reactions to the Corona Crisis (by Act Alliance)
- Whether One May Flee from a Deadly Plague, by Martin Luther
- ETC Theological Response to COVID-19 (Part 1): Though He Slay Me, Yet Will I Trust Him, by Nathan Kidder; Response to COVID-19 (Part 2) Response to COVID-19 (Part 3)
- Loving Your Neighbor in the Covid-19 Epidemic 4-12-2020, Bible Study by Timothy Leadership Training (TLT)
- Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo from Nigeria speaks an important message to pastors and church leaders for this time.
- Compassion for the Sick – by Rick Warren
To learn more about how to stay healthy during this time, please visit these options:
- Getting the Workplace Ready for COVID-19
- How to make your own mask
- World Health Organization: Official Advice
- COVID-A Christian Healthcare Worker’s Response-ebookv2, by Medical Missions
- John Piper has a free ebook and many other resources regarding Coronavirus here.
To learn more about what the world is saying about COVID-19 in Africa, please read the following reports:
For businesses, what do we do now?
- Watch this video from sales guru, Dave Kahle: Transforming this crisis into a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Together, we act as the body of Christ, listening and learning in order to help all to flourish. Here are some of the opportunities that those of us who have salaries, medical insurance, regular electricity and internet, to help others stay at home and out of crowded places. To date, we have contributed $60,000 to keep people home but the challenge will continue for a number of weeks yet for millions.
- Crisis Assistance: Our partners in Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda are working with various denominations, churches, ministries and businesses to assess the needs of those impacted by COVID-19. Some of those needs for the millions who are unemployed include:
  - buying food
  - buying disinfectant cleaning supplies
  - buying materials to make masks
  - phone cards in order to stay in contact with loved ones, while sheltering in place
  - internet usage for pastors and members who want to connect as a church through the internet

Please consider giving to this fund. Your gift will be given where it is most needed.

Those who have joined this coalition:

Denominations:

Burkina Faso: Christian Missionary Alliance, 1000 churches
Burundi: Maranatha Gospel Churches, Jerusalem Temple Burundi, Pentecostal Assemblies of God, Eglise Enseble pour la Defense de la parole de Dieu, Ivyabona vya Yesu Kristo, Isoko Yamazi, y’Ubugingo, Christ Life
Ethiopia: Kale Heywet Church, 9800 churches with more than 10 million members. Read what Dr. Semeon Mulatu said about COVID-19 in his church.
Ghana: Be Made Whole International Ministry
Kenya: Anglican Church of Kenya, Kitale Diocese, 300 churches.
Uganda: Jubilee Christian Life Churches, Pentecostal Assemblies of God (6000 churches)

Organizations:

Burkina Faso:

AEAD

Burundi:

ICM Burundi

Cameroon

ALAACS Microfinance Bank
HUTSEED

Ethiopia

KIBIR
Evangelical Theological College, Addis Ababa

Ghana

Bountiful Blessings Bible Training Institute
Ghana Christian University
Hopespring Foundation
Hopeline Institute
ICM Ghana
Joshua Generation Network
Markaz al Bishara
Thelma Odonkor Foundation
The Wesleyan Church
Touchbearers

Kenya

Great Mercy Development Center, Kitale

Nigeria

Development Associates International Nigeria
Divine Women General Merchants, Jebbu Bassa, Plateau State

Tanzania

Africa Theological Seminary, Dar Es Salaam

Uganda

Heart for Chidren/Kimbilio
ICM Uganda

United States

International Christian Ministries USA
Resonate Global Mission
Significant Matters

Churches

Burundi

Evangelical Friends Church
Eglise du Rocher
New Life Church
Isoko Yamazi Yubugingo
La Flame Divine