WORLD PARTNERS’ STAFF STILL DISCIPLING AROUND THE WORLD

COVID-19 is changing how World Partners’ staff reach their disciples and those with whom they are sharing the love of Christ, but it can’t stop the progress of the Kingdom!

• A secure World Partners staff member in the Middle East is providing daily pastoral care for Middle East pastors who are caring for their congregations but have no one to care for them.
• In Bulgaria, Josh and Sarah Hawkins have opened up their home for meals and fellowship individually with Josh’s fellow football teammates. A friend from the football team recently went to the Hawkins’ house for dinner. He told Josh and Sarah that the fact they reached out made an impression on him because this is an unusual thing to do in the Bulgarian culture.
• A secure staff couple in the Middle East is still providing food and clothing for Sudanese refugees in their town. So far, 24 applications have come in requesting direct assistance due to loss of jobs. The staff couple states, “God provides through extraordinary ways in extraordinary circumstances. We are humbled by the opportunity to serve.”
• A secure staff member in Europe is meeting online with his disciples at their regular time so that they can continue their discussions without an interruption.
• In Spain, Tim and Susana Gretschmann are leading a Bible study every Wednesday. Tim was able to tell some former classmates about Christ after one classmate wrote to him and others regarding concern about the virus.
• In Kenya, a Regional Strategy Coordinator reports that all church gatherings must now involve no more than five people. However, he says that because they have already been discipling this way, they are ready for this time.
• World Partners Director of International Development Rick Dugan started an online Bible study last week with participants from five countries around the world.
• A secure staff couple in the Middle East is leading their church in an online weekly service.
• In Bulgaria, Sarah Hawkins is putting her Mommy and Me lessons online so that those who regularly attended in person can continue to attend online.
• Regional Strategy Coordinator for Asia, Shaun, and wife Angie are meeting regularly with their small group Bible study of six other couples online. Shaun states, “Thank God for technology!”
• A secure staff member in the Middle East is providing meals to women that she normally sees at the now-closed shelter she coordinates. There are restrictions in the city due to the virus, so she is handing out meals from her car and providing the love of Christ in a different way to these women.

These are just a few of the stories of how the World Partners staff around the world are discipling and showing the love of Christ in creative ways during this unusual time we are in.