With some creativity, missionaries still share good news, despite COVID-19 restrictions
People’s ingenuity has been on full display as the world responds to COVID-19. Missionaries throughout SEND—just like believers everywhere—have quickly and cleverly adapted, finding new ways to connect during this time of crisis.
Faith via Facebook in Japan
"We’ve been praying for a couple who are friends of ours for a long time now, but meeting with them has become impossible due to COVID-19 restrictions. Still, my wife was able to mail a gospel tract that clearly communicated the plan of salvation — and that was just what our friend needed to make a clear confession of faith! About a week later, I checked in with her husband by Facebook Messenger and asked him if he would be interested in doing a Bible study online together. His wife joined as well and this time, he too made a clear profession of faith. We are thanking God for his work in their lives! We hope that we can continue to meet with them in the coming months, if not in person, then virtually." — by SEND teammates in Tokyo
And speaking of Facebook …
J.B. finds herself on home service back in the States after more than 30 years of ministry in Southeast Asia. Of course, shelter-in-place restrictions make meeting face-to-face with churches and supporters impossible, but she says, “God led me to set up an evangelistic Facebook page called ‘ The Faith of Abraham.’ I am not trying to accumulate ‘likes,’ I am trying to use my time wisely.” If you think anyone you know would benefit from this page, feel free to share it! Pray that God would use it to draw people to himself.
Hungry to connect in Spain
Spain has been particularly hard hit by COVID-19, with more than 15,200 deaths so far. The country is on extreme lockdown—even strolls around the neighborhood are not allowed, and authorities roam the streets enforcing the restrictions. Our team there, like so much of the world, has turned to Zoom to connect.
Jaime Clore recently held his first virtual English conversation group. “I was surprised at how well it went and also by the great turnout,” he said. “In these trying times, the Spanish people seem hungry for human interactions. Please continue praying for the Lord to help us build bridges to share the gospel. It is my hope and prayer that the English group participants will bring up conversations and feel confident to ask questions about Christ and the Bible.”
Feeding the needy in Europe
Throughout the world, many families are struggling financially. In a Muslim community where our team serves in Europe, most people are not able to work and don’t have unemployment benefits. Our worker there says, “Along with another church in our city, we will start delivering food boxes and Bible literature to needy families. We have planted extra gardens both in the city and up at camp. We have always shared produce but this year might meet great needs. Ask God for open hearts as we serve him by sharing physical and spiritual food.”
Technological limits can’t constrain the gospel in Alaska
As churches and individuals quickly learn how to use virtual tools like Facebook Live, YouTube, and Zoom, in parts of Alaska and the Yukon Territory, technology has limitations. Many villages have poor internet; many people do not have internet in their homes at all. Our teams must use creativity to reach out while maintaining social distancing.
One missionary is broadcasting short sermon messages over VHF radio for the village to listen to—and then posting the sermons on Facebook for those who can access the internet. “The positive side of the radio is that I know a few that listened who do not attend the Sunday service,” this village missionary said. “I plan to do another for Good Friday, and then Easter Sunday.” People who would never enter the doors of a church, even on Easter, are listening to the gospel being broadcast and connecting to it. God be praised!
Another missionary has started posting biblically themed art in his window for people to notice as they walk by.
And there’s always the phone! One family who lives in a remote village says, “Our friend here offered us the opportunity to go with him and his family ‘off the grid’ miles downriver. They will be staying at a cabin until there is a cure for the coronavirus. We graciously declined. This reaction seems to be prevalent here in the village. Many are living in fear of this virus. While we haven’t been able to communicate in person with people, we have calls all throughout the day of those seeking comfort in their fear. Please pray we will speak the truth boldly, with love, and that those who call will be softened to the gospel. Pray our family will also know whom to encourage with a phone call.”
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
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