By Mykaela Alvey

The world is slowly attempting to resume to a new “normal,” but with the many social restrictions still in place, some are finding it difficult to reach their communities for Christ. Pastor Yancey Duff’s church, New Life Church of God, in Bauxite, Arkansas has partnered with another ministry called “One Love Ministry” to reach the world through the most powerful tool they’ve got—prayer.

“Before COVID-19, we knew that God was calling us to go outside the four walls of the church and be the church,” Duff says. “Once COVID happened, and services started looking different, we knew it was time.” Their church and “One Love Ministry” committed to meeting in the courthouse every week to join together in a time of prayer. “We knew there was an urgency to be praying for our nation and the leaders of government and local leaders,” he adds.

Along with prayer, these partners began to praise and worship the Lord together. As this continued, they felt drawn to the idea of serving food. After taking this prompting to the Lord in prayer, they moved forward with the idea. By following the expected COVID-19 guidelines, they have been able to serve families every week. “The first week, we served a little over fifty families,” he explains.

Pastor Duff doesn’t know where the funds will come from every week to continue offering the food relief, but he is confident that the Lord will continue to provide. And, he knows that “We, as the church, have got to take a stand and take our nation back.” It’s a lesson about which most of us needed to be reminded. Pastor Duff knew that God expected them to “be the church.” He says, “My wife and I have both felt like this is when we all need to be out being the hands and feet of Jesus and loving on people like Jesus did.”

Pastor Duff, New Life Church of God, and One Love Ministry heeded God’s prompting. These partners encourage others to do the same.

Anderson University alumna Mykaela Alvey is a funding US missionary based in Greenwood, Indiana. A freelance writer for three years, she loves crafting stories of hope and healing.

Learn more about the response of Church of God Ministries to the coronavirus (COVID-19), including resources for you and your church, at www.jesusisthesubject.org/theway.