Who isn’t talking about CoVid-19 these days? The conversation is unfortunately dominated by loud, powerful voices from the ratings-driven cable news outlets, many engaged in finger-pointing and blame assignment. Some call the virus by names that are ethnically-charged and divisive, in an attempt, perhaps, to buoy our own national and personal “self-image,” sadly at the detriment of our neighbors – all of them created in God’s image and loved by Him.
But there is another softer voice, familiar to the ear of the Christian: God’s Holy Spirit calling us to have mercy on those in need during this challenging time when many are more aware than ever in their lifetime of both their physical and spiritual needs. Mercy never seeks to establish blame, but instead comes to the aid of those in need simply because they are in need, and because Christ exhorted us to love others as we love ourselves. The Good Samaritan didn’t question the man by the side of the road to determine his “worthiness.” He simply helped him because he was in need.
Four months ago, ministry leaders among ethnic minorities within the PCA’s Mission to North America (MNA) formed a body now known as the Ethnos Coalition. We have collaborated to provide insights and practical suggestions for ministering love and mercy to our neighbors during this crisis, particularly to those ethnic minorities who may be especially vulnerable at this time.
Over the years, many of our churches have ministered to ethnic minorities through outreach programs such as ESL and after-school tutoring, and through mercy ministry such as food pantries and clothing closets. Relationships of love and trust have been nurtured through such interactions. Ethnic minorities and other vulnerable persons in our communities need the church to demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways now more than ever. Providentially, many churches can now find new ways to serve those who are already in their outreach relational circles, and through them to other vulnerable members of our communities.