The Grace Of God Around The World
Two weeks ago we asked you to give to support brothers and sisters in the Philippines and you rose to the occassion. Our partner churches have been coordinating care for churches in other countries being devastated by the coronavirus. Below are a handful of photos and updates so that you can see God’s grace in the lives of our partners.
Philippines
The photo above shows the lead pastors in Manila and Mindanao during the SGC Pastors and Wives Conference, 2 days before the lockdown in the Philippines. In the front row is Lynn Baird (Pastor of Sovereign Grace Church of Pasadena), Dave Taylor (Senior Pastor of Sovereign Grace Church of Sydney), Todd Peterson (Pastor of Cross of Grace Church in El Paso, TX), and Kathy Peterson (Todd’s wife).
“My heart so rejoices and humbled to know of your generous gift to our suffering brethren here in Manila and in Mindanao due to the lockdown or what our government calls Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). Such help means life to most of the would be recipients that will result to an overflowing of thanksgiving and praise to God. Indeed no distance and ‘lockdowns’ can hinder the church from expressing love for each other by helping one another... truly the church is the dearest place on earth.
“We will be sending you reports, photos and videos from time to time as to the result of such generosity. Kindly extend my heartfelt gratitude to the elders and members of Sovereign Grace Church of Orange.” -Jeff Jo, Philippines Pastor
Liberia
The photo above is of the church in Monrovia, Liberia organizing food and supplies purchased with money sent by Australian and US Sovereign Grace Churches.
“Our two churches in Sydney were able to send over $5000 to Liberia as emergency aid for food and basic supplies. Ben Kreps region is doing exactly the same today, sending over another $5000, and so our dear brothers and sisters in the Churches that we relate to there, will now have enough food for 28 days. Dyonah, the church leader there, told me just yesterday, that as they began to give the food and basic supplies out to the brethren, so many of them were in tears over the care that our family of churches are showing them. I had the privilege of reminding him, that to us, they truly are family. How kind of the Lord to let us care for our wider family in this way. May His grace abound.” -Dave Taylor, Senior Pastor of Sovereign Grace Church of Sydney
India
The photo above shows a pastor in India named JP handing out food staples to a widow.
“The brothers and sisters in India were able to put together 37 food bundles with the money we sent them. They prioritized distributing them to neediest in their community. JP described it this way: ‘We considered the widows and the old that need our help. We had privilege to pray with them and share the gospel. In fact they showed interest to pray with us! We could see some of them crying looking at the food. As we stepped into some houses, the situation is very pathetic. It's more pathetic to see the children at their houses and some others looking at us with hungry eyes. This provokes us to pray more intensively for the situation around the world.’
“We are working with them on a strategy for support and distribution to the poor and elderly in the Hindu community because of the gospel opportunity it presents.” -Todd Peterson, Pastor of Cross of Grace Church in El Paso, TX.