Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It is an understatement that we are witnessing some of the most difficult times in recent history. The Coronavirus pandemic has sent the whole world into a world-wide panic.
For us, children of God, it is necessary to remind ourselves who we are and whose name we bear. The Name of the Lord is upon each of us who belong to Him, and what we do and think will bring glory or shame to this Name.
First, we need to take a step back and look at this thing rationally. That is a big word today when everybody seems to be taken by hysteria, anxiety and panic.
- This Coronavirus, as of three minutes ago, has killed about 20,000 people worldwide and infected less than one half of a million people in the whole world. As of the writing of this letter in USA there are about 1000 deaths. That is, 3 people for every one million Americans. The number will grow.
- Between 2009-2010 the Swine pandemic (H1N1) infected 1.4 billion (1400 million) people and killed some 500,000 people in one year. Do you recall at that time the same kind of panic and fear we are witnessing today?
- Since 1981 to the present day this world has been hit by the AIDS (HIV) virus. There are now 35 million people dead of this infectious disease. There is now a treatment that can keep most infected alive for a while. As of this year, 2020, there are a total of TWO cases of people cured. Just TWO. Do you see the same panic for the 35 million dead of HIV?
- The Asian Flu (Avian Flu) has killed over 1 million people in the 1950s, and over 120,000 in USA alone. And we could go on.
- In the last 5 years over 40,000 people died each year in traffic accidents in USA alone. 40,000 per year. Did anybody shut down all roads and freeways? And why not, in order to save 40,000 Americans each year?
Nobody is saying that this is not a serious matter. Whenever people get sick and die, it is a serious matter. But at this point, we have not encounter a rational explanation for the type of fear and panic we see around.
Secondly, we need to remember that we, as Christ’s representatives have a duty to think, feel and act in a different manner. In spiritual terms, we are the “first responders” in time of crises. This is the time when we can become the salt and the light, the bearer of peace and hope. This is the time when we can share our quiet spirit with others, when we can share our food, the coat and the shirt. This is the time when we need to hear Christ’s words:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for you treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 6:25
…If you just do what others do, what unusual deeds are you doing?
Matthew 5:47
Thirdly, remember that fear is a natural reaction, but a life of anxiety and worry is mental and spiritual sickness.
When a crazy dog is attacking, fear will send you up in the first tree. That is normal. If I remain in that tree for the next 10 years, and live there for the fear of the dog’s cousins that may be around, that is not normal and it is certainly not in line with the name of Christ in each one of us..
I may run in a basement when bombs are falling around the building, but if I decide to live there and never come out for the rest of my life, or even for the rest of the war, that is real sickness. And if I live like that and bear the name of Christ that is a real shame.
Today let’s remember the three friends of the prophet Daniel in the day when their lives were in real, imminent danger. This is what they said and did:
…our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up
Daniel 3
In today’s translation that is something like this: “..our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from any pandemic, o world. But if He will not, let it be known to you, o world, that we will not become like you, nor we will fear or worry, or run after everything you have set up.”
So, all of us, members of Allen Baptist Church, will trust in our Lord and Savior and will not run around like chickens with their heads cut off. Our head is Christ.
- We will not get into panic, anxiety, fear and worry.
- Our Lord can save us from any pandemic. And if He will not, that is His business. We will not bring shame on His name.
- We need to look around and see those who need help. There may be elderly who cannot go out to buy the necessities. There may be those who are younger and taken by panic and fear. There may be those who are very much alone at this time. Ask the Lord what you can do. Or even better. Do first, and ask later.
- If you know anybody who needs help please let us know so we can take action and provide necessary help.
- Please check our website often for other updates and messages. Our pastoral staff is working to provide faith-based messages online and other updates. Here is the link: http://rbcbeaverton.org/
Our congregation needs to go on. Today we may be meeting in many different homes. Tomorrow we will come back to our place of worship. That is if we decide not to fear and keep our place of worship and our congregation.
Towards this end, we need to remind ourselves that we still have our responsibility for our church and congregation. There are bills to pay. There are salaries to pay.
The board of the church decided to cut every expense that is not an absolute must, until this panic will pass. There are a few expenses that we must cover: the pastors’ salaries, the taxes and insurances, and maybe some utilities. These expenses are around $11,000 / month. Everything else will take a back seat and if there are any funds left we will meet and decide how to distribute them.
For this purpose, we are trying to make it easier for each member of the church to continue their financial contributions as the Lord will provide.
- You can send by mail your check for Allen Boulevard Baptist Church to Marcel Cimpean at 7735 SW Forsythia Pl. Beaverton, OR 97008
- If you prefer to make your contribution online we provide a link on our website at: http://rbcbeaverton.org/donations. This is a link for credit card payment thru PayPal. You do not need to have any PayPal account.
We also need some means to send you pertinent information when and if necessary. Please send an email at andreip77@gmail.com with your name, number. We will build a comprehensive email list which will enable us to keep you informed.
We hope and pray that sanity will soon prevail and people will be advised and allowed to go back to work and to normal lives before this panic will become the real damage.
If you have any issues, questions or concerns, any ideas of how to better serve the Lord in these difficult times, please call any member of the board, or send an email. We include here just a few names and numbers.
Eusebiu Rusu: 503-310-4979 eusebiu.rusu@gmail.com
Eduardo Teston: 503-533-5360
Lee Odell: 971-235-2111 lee584@gmail.com
Adrian Petrisor: 503-209-9216
Andrei Popescu: 971-506-8634 andreip77@gmail.com
Marcel Campean: 503-608-9407
Andrei Varhan: 503-270-1864
Virgil Hretcanu: 503-887-3008 virgil.hretcanu@gmail.com
May the Lord bless all of you.