Christian Pastors and Worship Leaders Offer Encouragements in the Midst of the Coronavirus Pandemic

By Blessing Harper Mar 25, 2020 12:03 AM EDT

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Christian pastors and authors such as Brian Houston, Francis Chan, Rick Warren and Max Lucado with Christian musicians such as Darlene Zschech, Sandi Patty and Phil King provide encouragement for all of us. Such words of encouragement have not been more timely as the number of novel coronavirus cases has topped 152,000 in 141 countries and territories with 5,720 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.

Brian Houston:

This week, while watching the news and seeing lines of people queueing for hours outside Centrelink (the government agency that assists with unemployment and other benefits in Australia), I was reminded of the difficulty many now face and how desperate life can become - most notably, for people who have no foundation for their hope. We should all be thankful for the assistance and effort the government can provide at this time but thank God you DO have hope that anchors your soul, even amidst uncertainty. This hope is secure and steadfast and will steady you through even the fiercest of storms (Hebrews 6:19).

Sandi Patty:

The truth is we hear "older" population and it didn't really connect in with me and don that we ARE the older population. We don't see ourselves as old. You know. We just don't. We're active. We're involved. We go swim or work out. OLD to us is our grandparents. But WE ARE that age. Truthfully probably older than our grandparents were when we picture them in our minds. We just see ourselves as fierce. We forget we are in the "age" range.
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So those of you who are in our age range, let's be mindful that we can still be freeking fierce and still be "seasoned". TAKE THE PRECAUTIONS SERIOUSLY. PLEASE.
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And if you are the kids of the fierce and fabulously "seasoned" olders, be patient with us. But nudge us. And y'all stay sequestered too. You might now have symptoms of this virus but you can still be a carrier. It's gonna take all of us to do our part.

Darlene Zschech:

Hi everybody, we pray that you are keeping safe and want you to know we are praying & declaring Psalm 91 as together we navigate this season that is unlike any we've ever navigated before as The Church across the earth.

We know that so many are needing to look at how to communicate your church expression to your church family...with wisdom, with excellence and with great faith...s o we thought that we would just share a great resource that the team at 4BMEDIA have put together, that helps guide you through the best practices on how to take your church online. Everything from camera settings, lighting, using your iphone, and the online streaming platforms you can use.

Take a look at their blog post here: www.4bmedia.tv/blog/taking-church-online. We are praying for you. We love you. And let us know if there's any way we can serve you.

Francis Chan:

So many people here in HK are terrified and paranoid. It's so sad to see but a great opportunity for the gospel- as long as the believers show themselves to be different, fearless. The strong believers are walking around with the poor and handing out masks while sharing the gospel. Meanwhile too many Christians are isolating themselves. It's a test of our faith- not to be foolish but to show that we fear nothing, especially not death. And we are anxious about nothing. Btw- two days in and we love it here. Miss you guys but there is so much opportunity here.

Phil King:

With everything happening in the world concerning the COVID-19 virus, we have an incredible opportunity to spend time in God's presence and shine with the hope of Jesus like never before. And you know, the Father is not looking for worshippers who worship in a certain building on Sunday mornings - He's looking for those that worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, and that can happen anywhere, especially in your home.

Max Lucado:

In just a moment, everything changed. A phantom disease invaded our peace, our plans, and our security. In a heartbeat, our language and behaviors were upended. Even young children understand the term "social distancing," "quarantine," and "Covid-19."

Grandma isn't allowed visitors in her nursing home. Workers are telecommuting, Zooming, and Skyping in their baseball caps and slippers. Handshakes and hugs have been put on indefinite hold.

This strange season has introduced a level of fear we haven't seen since 9/11. Fear of what might come. Fear of touching. Fear of exposure. Fear of what we can't see.

We are anxious, Father. And so we come to you. We don't ask you for help; we beg you for it. We don't request; we implore. We know what you can do. We've read the accounts. We've pondered the stories and now we plead, "Do it again, Lord. Do it again."

Rick Warren:

Throughout the book of Job, Job finds the good for which he can praise God, even in the middle of the bad. You can use this list to help you praise God, no matter what's going on. Here's what you can praise God for: