Health experts have confirmed that certain segments of our society (elderly, immunocompromised, etc) are at a significantly higher risk of critical illness or even death due to this virus. As a result, many in these vulnerable categories are unable to leave their homes, even for essentials. Step into these needs by organizing errands to pickup groceries, prescriptions, and other essentials for these people in your community. Post in neighborhood social media groups or reach out to nearby retirement/assisted-living communities to find individuals that could use your help. As you serve, be sure to share the hope you have in Jesus as the reason for your love and kindness.

In these challenging days for our healthcare communities, consider collecting supplies, making meals, or providing childcare to doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers in your area. You may also consider writing thank you notes to them as well, and delivering them with goody baskets to hospital units. As they work diligently to care for the sickest from this virus, be a foundation of support for them, showing the love of Christ as you serve their families with extra kindness. Post in neighborhood social media groups or reach out to nearby hospitals to find individuals that could use your help. As you serve, be sure to share the hope you have in Jesus as the reason for your love and kindness.

In darkness, people often are looking for light more than ever. Be intentional to take time to invite your friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc to join you in worship at our church. Personal invitations are proven to be the most effective way to see an unbeliever step into church – during this season, I suspect that will be even more true. Invite them! In this season, offer them the digital options if they are not yet ready to come in person; or also help them register for services with your family if they’d like to come with you to church. Regardless, be a bold ambassador for Jesus by inviting people close into our church family during these challenging times.

Here at Emmaus, we have a long-term active ministry relationship with our neighbors at Eagle Creek Apartments that we call Serve the City. Through the pandemic, we have ramped up the ways that we are reaching out and supporting them – if you’d like to get involved in delivering meals, caring for families, or being a part of our community block parties, now is a great time to get involved. Visit emmausbible.com/servethecity for more details.

During the pandemic, Emmaus has been unable to send ministry teams to serve and support our global ministry partners around the world. Nonetheless, they are in need of support now more than ever as they grapple with the effects of COVID-19 in their own communities. This being true, make a diligent effort to pray daily for our global ministry partners, asking God to care for them in profound ways. Write reminders in your car, on your mirror, and on your fridge and pray for them daily. For updates on our partnership, be sure to visit emmausbible.com/partners for more details.

• • In an age of outrage on social media, seek to be a person of peace, representing Jesus and His love well in the ways that you interact with people.
  • Do a prayer walk through your neighborhood and/or subdivision.
  • Do sidewalk messaging in your neighborhood with hopeful messages.
  • Reach out to and thank our first responders (police, firemen, EMS, etc).
  • Publicize information regarding Christian counseling for those effected by this crisis.
  • Ask local nursing homes/senior assisted living places how you can serve/pray for them. Organize groups to help!
  • Call local funeral homes to see how you can help serve and/or pray for them. Organize groups to step in and help!
  • Donate food to local food banks like the North Gwinnett Coop. Organize food drives in your neighborhood to help!
  • Partnership with schools to deliver food; also see what families need meals during this time. Ask school counselors for referrals to families in need that could use some prayer and support. Step in and help!

In all of these ways, seek to find ways to give an answer to the hope that you have found in Jesus as you serve the people of our community during these dark days.