IBSA mission trips scheduled through Aug. 31, 2020, are canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. But IBSA’s mobilization director said despite the cancellations, God may provide new opportunities to share the gospel across Illinois.
“Missional leaders in Illinois desire to be responsive to what God is doing in the midst of the pandemic,” Brad Lovin said. “We want to be flexible to respond and minister to people from all backgrounds in our state, especially since we can impact more than 100 unreached people groups here in Illinois.”
Missions Spectacular, a one-day missions experience scheduled for several locations, is included in the current cancellations. Lovin said his team will be exploring possible mission trips and service projects in Illinois, if travel restrictions are reduced and pending the safety of participants.
Missionaries shelter-in-place
Personnel serving with the International Mission Board are mostly staying put amid the pandemic, in keeping with the U.S. State Department’s advisory that citizens who live abroad should avoid international travel. The missions agency said in specific cases where personnel have medical conditions such as chronic respiratory ailments or pregnancy and live in locations with sub-standard medical care, IMB offered the option to temporarily relocate, as they are able to travel, to areas with better medical care.
Scott and Michal MacDonald are Illinoisans serving in Africa. The couple and their four children temporarily relocated back to southern Illinois in March, because Michal is expecting and at higher risk for severe complications related to Coronavirus. “We are thankful for the International Mission Board taking care of us so well,” she said in an update to prayer partners. “Please continue to pray for our colleagues, especially those in leadership who are faced with many difficult decisions during this Coronavirus pandemic.”
-With reporting from the International Mission Board