We are in this together!

A crisis always brings out the very worst in humanity … or the very best.

As we stare into fear, we have a choice. Do we choose to fight over the last jumbo-sized pack of toilet paper at Costco or look to the interests of our neighbors? As people who bear the image of a watching God, is our default setting self-protection or self-sacrifice?

We are sharing an unprecedented moment—and I have been inspired by the ways so many have been acting with uncommon love, sacrifice, and care for their neighbors across the street and around the globe. These small glimpses of care, collaboration, and partnership remind us that we are truly in this together.

Perhaps there will never be a better time to love courageously and generously than right now. At a time when the world feels like it is falling apart, we need a Church that comes together.

Here are just a few of the ways that we are seeing people and organizations live out radical generosity and uncommon collaboration in real time:

1. Giving Systems: As in many other parts of the United States, churches in Branson, MO, have been asked to pivot from in-person gatherings to online services. BLOOM Church, a local congregation in Branson, realized that some neighboring churches might not have access to the video equipment needed to produce an online service. So, in a spirit of openhanded generosity, they freely offered their video equipment to nearby churches to create online services for their congregations. Michael Carlton, lead pastor at BLOOM, put it simply, “We don’t compete with other churches.” And, other organizations are stepping up to share their systems, too. For groups with limited teleconferencing abilities, the SEEP Network has offered to help host virtual meetings and small gatherings.
2. Giving Expertise: The impact of COVID-19 in Italy has been severe. Due to the influx of patients, a hospital in Brescia, Italy ran out of respirator valves to connect their patients to breathing machines. Within 24 hours, a local 3D-printer company in Italy stepped up to design and print 100 life-saving respirator valves. And they didn’t stop there; they’ve since joined forces with another local 3D-printer company—previously seen as their competition—to meet the growing demand. This is wildly significant. It’s a recognition that we really are each other’s neighbors. Whether it’s local companies teaming up to produce more ventilators or countries sharing masks and other medical supplies, we seem to collectively understand that we are in this together. This sharing goes far beyond medical supplies—just today, I’ve had calls with leaders from other organizations simply to share how we are each responding. I’ve been inspired by the uncommon generosity in sharing practices, responses, and resources.
3. Giving Extra Capacity: Recognizing that food was a major, immediate need for families in his community, Kevin East mobilized his staff and church volunteers to package and distribute meals. In partnership with the East Texas Food Bank and Tyler Independent School District, the crew packed nearly 75,000 meals and distributed them to families in nearby, low-income neighborhoods. They redeployed staff capacity to meet this need.
4. Giving Prayers: This week, Edify mobilized their global team to pray regularly not just for their own organization, staff, and edupreneurs, but also for many other organizations who are struggling to respond. During their global prayer call, they committed to going to Jesus not just with their own burdens, but with the burdens of so many of their global neighbors as well.
5. Giving Presence: A friend and colleague, Rachel, came home this week to help her kids with their schoolwork. When she walked in her front door, she saw her son sprawled on their living room carpet in front of a computer, watching intently as his teacher read a book to the class virtually. The comfort of her familiar presence, the cadence of her voice, and the normalcy of listening to her read a story was an unspeakable gift to her son—and to Rachel. Even in—perhaps, especially in the midst of social distancing, the need for human engagement remains the same, and there are many who are creatively using technology to stay connected and give the gift of presence to others. Whether it’s authors holding virtual storytimes for kids, musicians offering free concerts from their living rooms, museums (and other tourist attractions) providing digital tours, or Broadway putting their shows online for free, people are collectively offering their best to the world.

Chaos is not new to our world and the opportunity to respond creatively and redemptively is not new to the Church. In hearing these stories, I’m reminded that this moment provides an opportunity for the Church to put flesh and bone on who Christ is and what he came to do as we offer ourselves as an answer to the overwhelming need around us.

When the COVID-19 pandemic passes, and it will, may we be remembered as people who defied fear and ran toward the vulnerable. And in so doing, may people be drawn to the God that we serve.

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Who have you seen loving well in this time of crisis? In the midst of a particularly heavy news cycle, we need hopeful stories more than ever. Share more examples with us below.