We Are Still Here – Devotional Series – Spiritual Life Development

Corps are closed for Worship, officers have been inundated with frontline ministry and social services, individuals are working remotely, Army events are being held virtually, our very livelihoods are in turmoil, and at times, it feels like it’s just too much for us to handle.

During the past twenty weeks, individuals from around the territory have been working diligently by providing much needed services for those affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Officers, soldiers, and employees have been working day and night preparing needed supplies on the front line. They have served those who have lost jobs, those affected by COVID-19, struggling to put a meal on the table for their family, not knowing how if when they can pay rent, dealing with the loss of loved ones and not being able to see elderly family. Yet the Army is still there doing what we can.

At the same time, many have had to consider how to continue sharing the message to not only our corps congregations but to the church body itself. Zoom, Teams, YouTube Livestream, have all become part of our virtual vocabulary and our new way of life. We as an organization and a church have used these tools to conduct day to day business as well as significant events where we proclaim the Love of Jesus and share the joy we have through various means. Commissioning was a virtual gathering for the first time ever, most summer camps were closed having to reach an audience through YouTube videos. Music programs are using zoom and teams to meet regularly sharing insight, skills and to hear from composers, conductors and other musicians from around the world. Dance and worship events are teaching kids and teens the skills and the passion of sharing their love for Jesus through zoom and so much more. They are all still here doing what they can.

Many here at THQ have been working non-stop since this Pandemic hit in creating weekly Worship Together services for the territory and beyond. To date, these resources have been seen by more than 100,000 unique computers. Knowing that my family of four watches every weekend from one computer, I believe that this content could possibly have been seen by close to a half a million people, which is terrific and a wonderful testimony by itself. We are still here doing what we can.

From 2 Corinthians 9, when Paul is writing to the Corinthian Church, “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you, their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks are to God for his indescribable gift!”

We, The Salvation Army are still here, we are here doing the job, although it may feel different, it may look different and even sound different, we are still here doing the work and sharing the Gospel by all means. Because of the work that many are doing around the territory, seeds are being planted, lives are being saved and God is working through us. May we always and forever be here, doing the work God intended and impacting lives for His Glory.

Below are two links that are examples of what’s taking place around this territory, the first one is from the COVID -19 response and the second one is a dance that was filmed for the Worship Together series. Please enjoy.

We Are Still Here – Responding to the Covid-19 Pandemic