Mission agency recommends volunteers postpone travel due to coronavirus risk
The Southern Baptist International Mission Board (IMB) is recommending that mission volunteers from U.S. churches postpone international mission-trip travel through April 30 at least. “We’ve already had to cancel several overseas meetings due to sudden travel bans and challenges associated with government-imposed quarantines,” said IMB President Paul Chitwood. “This recommendation for delayed mission-trip travel is temporary, but we believe it is necessary at this time.”
IMB has appointed a task force to communicate with field personnel and church mission teams about COVID-19, the virus that has infected more than 100,000 people globally.
Quarantined pastor: ‘We’re convinced God’s going to use this’
Southern Baptist pastor Chris Bell and 12 members of his church were on a tour of the Holy Land when coronavirus interrupted their itinerary, as it has for travelers around the world. The group from 3Circle Church in Fairhope, Ala., was quarantined and tested for coronavirus after a person staying at their hotel in Beit Jala tested positive for the virus.
Bell reported March 9 the group’s tests were negative for the virus, but they were not sure when they would be able to return home. The pastor had previously told Baptist Press the group is convinced God’s going to use their experience. “We’re convinced that he knows exactly where we are, and he has not forgotten us. And we believe that deeply.”
Baptist leaders monitoring coronavirus spread ahead of June annual meeting
As more states reported cases of coronavirus, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee issued a statement about potential impact on the SBC annual meeting in Orlando June 9-10. “We are pressing forward with our plans to meet in Orlando,” the group said, adding that the SBC Constitution does allow the Executive Committee to cancel or change the place of meeting.
“This provision would only be considered in an extreme circumstance,” the group said in its statement. “Prayer, precaution, planning, and preparation are the order of the day.”
Speakers quarantined after Willow Creek summit in Germany ends early
American pastors Craig Groeschel and Bobby Gruenewald were quarantined in Oklahoma after a fellow speaker at leadership summit in Germany tested positive for coronavirus. Christianity Today reported Groeschel and Gruenewald, both pastors at Life.Church, haven’t shown any symptoms of COVID-19. They went in a 14-day quarantine after returning to Oklahoma City, and had no contact with church members or their families.
Virus concerns prompt changes in worship services
Religion News Service reports church leaders around the world are temporarily suspending some practices in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus. From taking communion to the “meet the greet” time observed in many churches, fears over the virus are requiring leaders to take a closer look at their worship services.
Thom Rainer urges church leaders to prepare now for virus response
The former president of LifeWay Christian Resources encouraged church leaders to develop a communication plan and be prepared to offer online worship services and Bible studies. Also, Rainer wrote, “Develop a plan to help church members and community members. If the situation does worsen, there will be people in your area in need of help and in need of basic supplies. How will your church respond?”
Sources: Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Religion News Service