As we all figure out life amidst COVID-19, we’re praying for you.

Anne Marie and I both work at home for now, getting as much of our normal work done as possible. Along with my normal work, I’ve been helping write updates as part of Cru’s COVID-19 crisis team, keeping our staff members informed about how they can continue proclaiming the gospel and making disciples using digital tools. Anne Marie is figuring out how to lead the International School Project communications team without any in-person meetings.

Around the world, people are more interested in spiritual things amidst this pandemic. Bataa, Cru’s National Director in Mongolia, told ISP, “It is paradoxical to see how the lack of physical relationship is translated into people’s openness in the online environment. Surprising, more people are becoming more open and willing to discuss their important life issues online.”

Teachers who are part of ISP communities are taking the gospel to their students via online lessons. Here’s one story from a Russian teacher:

“Today I had a lesson remotely [online], and at the end of the lesson a boy offered to pray the Lord’s prayer from Scripture. Then we started a conversation where all the children joined in. In the end they asked me to pray for them. This is all glory to our Lord.”

My team continues to offer Cru staff members, volunteers and disciples digital tools. Two of those are God Tools and MissionHub. They both offer ways that anyone, including you, can grow in your faith and help others do likewise.

In the Philippines, where we lived 30 years ago, a version of the JESUS Film broadcast on television nationwide.  

On April 9, Magdalena, a version of the JESUS Film, had its Philippine TV Premiere in one of the top broadcasting stations of the country, GMA Network. The movie was dubbed in the local language, Tagalog, by Filipino Christian actors and actresses involved with Artists in Touch, a ministry of Philippine Campus Crusade for Christ.

GMA’s report for the Magdalena TV broadcast states that the airing reached 5,625,178 viewers all over the Philippines. It topped the viewership in the time slot for the whole country. This number does not include those who watched through the internet that day and those that watched via a Facebook Watch Party the following day.

Please continue to pray that the gospel will continue to go out and people will continue to grow in their faith during this pandemic.

We’re grateful for your prayers and partnership in our ministry.