How is the Church of the Nazarene in Mesoamerica adapting during this time of isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic?
From Costa Rica, pastor Manuel Amador tells us how they are doing this in their congregation.
We have developed several strategies:
-
Live and online services (using Facebook and Zoom).
-
The ministries continue to be active: the women’s ministry is making calls to the women and our men’s ministry, VID, is in charge of calling the men.
-
Sunday School is preparing the lesson for Sunday (we have used the NMI program). We will be sending out support material for lessons at all levels.
-
NYI meets virtually through video calls.
-
The visitation ministry is also helping by calling families as needed.
-
We have a regular prayer service. At the moment we have two services, through the use of the platforms. We have seen good participation (more than double the face to face participation).
-
The board and ministries have been involved in directing and taking part in the services, so that everyone feels a part of this and it is not only an effort from the pastors.
The purpose of the calls is to say hello, find out what the needs are, pray and keep these persons connected to the church and, in so doing, look for a way to meet any need that may be identified.
Positives: Seeing that, In the midst of the crisis, the church, community, country and the world have united in prayer and in a time of seeking God more.
Phillipians 4:6-7 invites us not to lose our peace but rather advises us that, with prayer and petition, we should always and above all be thankful.
Seeing how our ministries have come together to help the less fortunate.
God has been so good.
Greatest challenge: I believe it is not losing our focus. Having lovely services, nice messages and connecting with each other is good but our call to carry the message of the gospel to those who have never heard (Matthew 28:19) is a task we now have to do digitally.
It isn’t a motto, but personally I have been using the phrase, “The church is not closed because we are all the church.”
Manuel Amador, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene, Casa de Oración, El Alto, Costa Rica
More testimonials and resources HERE
