Dearest WABC Saints,
Please note the following important announcements:
New Mandates from Imperial County
Last week, I wrote about our approach to the coronavirus, more specifically known as COVID-19 (read it here). While we were not under government mandate to restrict our own gatherings, that has just changed. As of last night (March 17th), the health officer of Imperial County has prohibited all gatherings of over 50 people, with a strong recommendation against any gatherings even under 50. You can find a link to the officially released statement here (see points #1 and #17 specifically). The mandate is effective from Friday, March 20th through Tuesday, March 31st. In addition, as most of you are undoubtedly aware, local public schools were also closed through April 17 (read it about here).
Sunday Service Online; All Other Activities Cancelled
For these reasons, your WABC leaders have determined it would be best to stream the Sunday morning service at 10:15am to the Internet and cancel all other church activities until further notice. Thus, the church doors will not open to the public even during Sunday morning service. A link to the streaming site will be provided via our website. To repeat, the online streaming will be the only way to participate in our Sunday church service, due to county restrictions mentioned.
Rationale: Subjection and Love, not Fear
Please know that this decision was not taken lightly and it was NOT out of fear regarding the current pandemic. God is sovereign and we trust Him implicitly (Romans 8:28). However, we recognize also the call to submit to governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). In addition, we also want to be good neighbors to our community and to do our part to help "flatten the curve" regarding the spread of COVID-19 (Mark 12:31). Finally, we recognize that we have many precious elderly saints. While many of them chose to worship in-person with the rest of the church last Sunday, there have also been many concerned family members and loved ones who do not want them to be unnecessarily exposed. Thus, we do not wish to be a stumbling block to those concerned for the health of those dear saints (Romans 14:1-23; 1 Corinthians 10:23-33).
Are We Simply Bowing Down to Government?
No. For the time being, we are submitting voluntarily for one primary reason. While the world is growing increasingly hostile against God, His Word and His people, this mandate is NOT targeted at believers, but rather reflects a concern for the general population. We do not want our testimony to run counter to this concern. We will continue to revisit our stance if the mandate continues to get extended. However, we want to be sure that if we are going to oppose, that we will do so clearly for the sake of Christ and not because of stubbornness or a lack of care for the surrounding community.
What about Our Call to Not Forsake Assembling?
Hebrews 10:25 calls Christians to not to forsake the assembling together, and indeed, this is a strong biblical argument to continue meeting in spite of the threat of COVID-19. However, in context, this is addressing those who are tempted to live their Christian lives apart from the church. I trust none of us desire to live as a “lone wolf Christian,” nor does this need to be true, even if we are not physically together. We can still worship as a community together, even under the present circumstances.
Additionally, not only should we gather online, but I would encourage you all to stay connected to one another in other ways: visiting one another (while taking necessary precautions), praying for one another and reaching out to one another through phone and electronic communication on a regular basis. In essence, while Sunday is our time of corporal worship, our entire lives should be lived out as an act of worship to God (Romans 12:1-2). This act of worship most certainly should feature our love and care for one another (John 13:34-35).
Do Everything Possible to Maintain Unity
I have been greatly encouraged already by the number of our saints reaching out to me and others, offering to serve in various ways (e.g. grocery shopping, providing meals, babysitting, technical help and support). We will look to coordinate efforts to both identify and meet needs but please do not wait for one of us to contact you. If you have needs, let us know. Call us at the church (760-344-0625) or email us (office@westernavenuebaptist.org). Likewise, if you have services you can provide, let us know and we will add you to a list of willing servants. We will also maintain an email distribution list for prayer requests. Please email us at the same email provided to be added to that list.
Maintaining Support for WABC
We know with the dramatic decrease in economic activity, many of us will be tested financially. We encourage everyone to be good stewards of what God has granted to you, looking out for the needs of your own household first and foremost. In addition, we also know that WABC depends upon the support of its saints. So with regards to offerings, while we will not be able to pass around an offering plate to each of you, we still have a few options for giving.
First, you can give online here.
Second, you can mail your offering to us at the following address:
Western Avenue Baptist Church
ATTN: Richard Ashurst
555 N. Western Ave.
Brawley, CA 92227
Third, you can come by the church and drop it off in person. In that case, call the church number 760-344-0625 and we'll open the doors for you.
In Closing
Thank you for your patience and support during this period. While this is a new experience for everyone, rest assured that we have a hope that can never be taken away! Let us each consider Peter's words and take them to heart:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" - 1 Peter 1:3–7
In Christ Jesus Our Lord,
Ekkie Tepsupornchai