Jerry and Kathy Ball
Cru – Minnesota
This sure isn’t meant to be an advertisement for ZOOM, but it does show how it has become an integral part of the world of international ministry as it has the business world. Of course it does not take the missionary into the remote parts of countries where internet access is limited, but in centers with reliable access this platform and others serve as a means to minister remotely. Jerry and Kathy mention a few opportunities here, some of which they help facilitate…
Here are some of the impacts of COVID-19. No one is traveling, almost everyone is working from home. Our ILF staff in Orlando used to meet and pray together once a month; now all staff, including those of us who are not in Orlando, are praying together via Zoom. The Transforming Leadership & Governance Seminars (TLGS) in African (the Balls’ primary focus) and Latin America have been cancelled, but several nations are experimenting with conducting such seminars using Zoom. For example, one of our coworkers in Latin America recently held a seminar via Zoom and had expected 100 participants but had 1,100! The ILF annual face-to-face board meeting, scheduled for September in Orlando, will now be a Zoom call, and ILF Staff meetings, which were face-to-face twice a year, are now being held every two weeks via Zoom. And the Africa Forum on Religion & Government just held a series of four webinars dealing with the impact of COVID-19 on Africa. The presentation yesterday was very evangelistic.
Of course ‘incarnational’ or in-person ministry is always preferred as the times of fellowship and worship are more intimate and personal, but until countries open their doors again this and other platforms will continue to serve as conduits of information, ideas, and training. Pray for creativity for presenters and leaders as they prepare materials and for good and extended internet connections across time zones. Above all, pray that the message of the gospel would be communicated though the participants to those in their respective countries who need Christ in their lives.