Pastor Solomon Reyes
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. - (Psalms 23:4)
"The valley of the shadow of death" - these words appropriately describe for me, what it feels like during this time. It is a valley ... in terms of church activities, and even ministries. We usually are very busy at this time of year in the church. Busy for a good thing. To celebrate Christ, and proclaim Him through our Cantatas, and our various gatherings. Our concern during those days was not to get so busy that we miss the real reason for the season as we say. Looking to the sovereign working of God in all things, we understand, however, the reason for these times that we consider as valleys. Perhaps to give us a break from our hectic schedules and allow us to truly celebrate Jesus for once, even only this season, with an augmented sense of reverence. As we celebrate Him just among our immediate families. What an opportunity to really make it a season of reverence and worship, and just really immersing ourselves in the wonders of the gospel, and finding our hearts refreshed by the narrative of God's grace and mercy.
"Shadow of death" - those two words are a heavy combination. Shadow implies darkness. Death ... darker still. Dealing with a sense of loss. And with that, a sense of grief and sorrow. From the pastoral perspective, how we miss those times of fellowship together. Every Sunday we looked forward to our gatherings together, to see our family in the Lord, worshipping our Loving God together, and engaging in edifying banter after the service. Expressing the love of Christ through simple greetings, handshakes, and occasionally hugs, but now ... no more. Not permanently we hope. As we go to church to Livestream the services, all that meet our eyes are empty chairs, and it is an eerie feeling to preach to an almost empty sanctuary. Fellow pastor friends of mine have expressed their concerns about whether people would ever really come back to gather together in church services when the Pandemic is finally done. This Pandemic has stretched us like a rubber band, and when that happens the band doesn't really return to its original condition. There’s darkness, sadness. More than any other time, we have come face to face with these realities. We long to visit but can not. And so far, phone calls, text messages, messenger, emails would have to suffice in communicating love and care. We long to comfort but the distance makes us wonder if we are really able to do so. Our hearts cry to God, "How long, O Lord?" But the light shines on the horizon. We hear the word of a vaccine finally being given. But the light that we see does not come from that vaccine. It radiates from Someone Greater. Christ Himself. Vaccine or no vaccine, we will fear no evil, for GOD IS WITH US. The future is uncertain. But our hope, our joy, our peace, is ABSOLUTE, UNSHAKEABLE, and SURE. Whatever the coming year holds, no matter how overwhelming it may seem, we follow the example of the Psalmist who said -
[1] Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. [2] From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. [3] For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. [4] I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah - (Psalms 61:1-4)
2. Pastor Elbern Latorilla
When we ushered in January 2020, I was looking forward to another fruitful year of service for the Lord perhaps with some minor hitches and glitches along the way. Then Covid-19 came, and how!? I thought it was going to be short-lived, just like that of SARS in 2003. But I was mistaken. It has lingered and brought havoc beyond our expectation or imagination. Not only has the virus affected us individually but also corporately, such as business corporations, church organizations, government institutions, etc. The effect has been devastating economically, medically, emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually. Indeed, the virus has brought about these unprecedented times in which we live. For sure, the Lord has allowed this for a reason and for a purpose. What these are, we are still trying to discern, accept, and live with. He was not taken by surprise by this development. I believe that the Lord will see us through this and make us come out stronger, more trustful, and hopeful than ever.
But what has this meant to me, personally, as a pastor? At the outset, when regulations were set in place- like physical distancing, wearing face coverings, constant washing of hands - I became apprehensive and fearful almost to the point of paranoia. I tried my best not to go out as much as I could. But as the days turned to weeks, I realized that being holed in was not helpful to my psyche at all. I started to venture out but always trying my best to follow the protocols in place. The Lord enabled me to go back to my routine as pastor by ministering to our people, albeit in different ways and methods. The telephone has become the most important tool in reaching out to our brethren - inquiring as to their situation, reading Scriptures, and then praying for them. E-mailing was a secondary means to communicate. When there was a temporary lull from the lockdown, I took the time to physically visit some in their homes. Those were refreshing times - for them as well as for me! Unfortunately, it didn't last long. In the meanwhile, I also continued to study for my sermons as well as for the lessons that I was using to teach the 2 Bible study groups that I have been leading on Mondays and Tuesdays. Thank God for technology, as it enables us to meet from a distance and yet see each other's faces every week.
One blessing that has brought personal joy to me was the opportunity to read a number of books during the pandemic (more than 10 already at last count). A few of these have been sitting on my shelf for some time - untouched, unread. Praise the Lord, COVID has caused me to "discover" them and given me the time to open their pages and enjoy them. I have been spiritually enriched. I intend to read a few more before the year ends.
Because the pandemic has forced us to go virtual during our worship services, I have recently discovered that some relatives and friends who live outside Canada have been listening to me during my turn to preach. Just the other night, I learned from my niece that a neighbor of theirs (not a believer) heard me and was encouraged by the Word. It has led me to pray that not only would they enjoy the sermon but that they would respond accordingly to what they hear.
The pandemic has not been altogether negative after all. Personally, I have grown spiritually as my prayer life has been enriched and become more far-reaching. My Bible reading and study have been consistent. Above all, my ministry has not been curtailed but has been enhanced and expanded. Thank you, Covid-19. To God be the glory!
3. Pastor Ezra Alderete
The Pandemic has really opened the eyes of many people, especially those that have yet to understand the wavering movement of uncertainty. The unknown has, at times, plagued fear upon our hearts and it suffocates us. Every day, we are faced with numerous circumstances but the daily hustle and bustle have left the present circumstance easily and brushed off. Now, however, we are to face it as we sit and stare at what has come in front of us. This year has been a moment to meet fear and face the limits of faith. It has helped us in understanding the magnitude of our trust in God. It has given us revelations on how firm and tight the grasp of our hands are on the ever-powerful Hand of the Father. To others it is a time of losing, however to us, it may have served a purpose, and that is refining. It has pushed us to stay true in our faith; combatting fear and remaining steadfast.
“James 1:2–4 - Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
As I see spiritual growth amidst this Pandemic, especially to the people I witness firsthand, I find solace in God’s work and plan. It is a joy for me to keep going, persevering. Knowing that my brothers and sisters are growing and staying true, will see in Him, as it did in me, the peace they are to hold on to that passes all understanding. That joy and peace, in strengthening the faith brings forth our hope in Christ that will never fail. To God be the glory alone!
4. Pastor Alex Isip
My name is Alex Isip, a sent missionary of CABC sharing my struggles and challenges in my ministry at this unprecedented time of the pandemic. The main focus of my calling is to bring the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to hard places specifically, to people who are in prison. I work with inmates coming from different cultures, ethnicities, and worldviews. It is a unique and risky place to serve the Lord because of the kind of people I work with not to mention, the nature of the workplace itself, which is governed by strict regulations and restrictions. The coming of COVID-19 has greatly impacted my ministry. I was completely cut off from my main ministry over these last 9 months and it has not been easy for me. I developed a cluster of emotions, such as frustration, stress, anger, boredom, guilt, and impatience. In other words, I suffered emotionally.
In light of all the things that are going on, God has blessed me in different ways to serve Christ and He has given me the honor of suffering for Christ.
I believe the Lord allowed these things to happen to teach me a lesson, personally speaking. He wanted me to wait patiently on Him and to experience suffering for His glory.
Meanwhile, I still will praise and thank the Lord for His faithfulness in my life. He opened new doors so I could serve Him in the ministry of preaching, mobilizing people to pray for the unreached people group, rendering counseling to selected people, mentoring new missionaries, ministering through cards, and reaching out to seniors. One thing that had greatly helped me overcome all these trials was my personal time with the Lord. He taught me to be prayerful and to saturate my thoughts in His Word.
A verse that had encouraged me during my ministering in this pandemic is, Philippians 1:29-30 (ERV), “God has blessed you in ways that serve Christ. He allowed you to believe in Christ. But that is not all. He has also given you the honor of suffering for Christ. You saw the difficulties I have to face, And you hear that I am still having troubles. Now you must face them too.”