After much prayer and consideration, our leadership has made the decision not to gather at our building for worship until further notice. All services will be online only on Sundays at 9:15AM. Please watch the video above from Pastor Richard to understand why we made this decision.
In addition to moving to online services, we are canceling all activities on and off campus until further notice – this includes Broadcast (youth), small groups, English Crossing, etc. We will let you know when we return to our regular schedule at the building.
How is Hope Point worshiping together during this time?
On Sundays at 9:15AM, we have our weekly virtual gathering at hopepoint.org/live. You can find weekly resources, prayer help, best practices for virtual worship, and tips on keeping community during this unique time at our livestream page.
How can I help my community?
We have compiled a list of the known immediate needs in our community here. If you can help, please reach out to these ministries directly. Also, check back often as needs can change quickly.
4 Ways to Glorify God in Our Response to COVID-19
We want to lead you well by encouraging you to act with Biblical wisdom during these times. A Christian’s right response in times of crisis or suffering will bring God glory before a watching world (1 Peter 2:12). So, what is the right response? This could be answered in many ways, we are sure, but let us point you to practice these 4 things as a way to glorify God in your response to the coronavirus (COVID-19):
1) Pray
The first thing you can do to glorify God in your response is to pray. Pray for mercy from the hand of God that he would stop the spread of this disease. Pray for our medical community, researchers, government officials and all those on the front lines fighting the spread of this disease. May God protect and give wisdom to these precious souls. Pray for protection from fear and anxiety within the body of Christ. Pray for the body of Christ to have compassion. Pray that many would turn to God as a result of this.
2) TRUST IN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD.
God is sovereign over his universe so trust him. He is sovereign over the movement of planets and he is sovereign over the movement of viruses. God tells us in his word that, “I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning…I will accomplish my purpose” (Isaiah 46:9-10). Job declared, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). Paul tells us that, “[God] works all things according to the purpose of his will…” (Ephesians 1:11) This we know, in all things, God is at work accomplishing his will including the movement of various diseases.
Not only is God sovereign, but he is infinitely wise. Romans 11:33 says, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” This means he knows what is best and knows the best way to bring about the best.
Furthermore, in addition to his sovereignty and wisdom, he is a good God (Romans 8:28). God abounds in goodness, he is tender, and his mercy endures forever (Exodus 34:6; I Chronicles 16:34; Ezra 3:11; Psalm 25:8; Psalm 23:6; Psalm 33:5; Psalm 119:68; Psalm 145:9; Nahum 1:7; Mark 10:18). Therefore, if God is good and sovereign and infinitely wise, then we can trust his purposes in allowing the coronavirus to spread as it has. We do not have to fear like those who do not know the one true God. We can rest in his good and wise sovereignty.
3) LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORS
Crisis or the threat of crisis should not impede the advance of the gospel. A pandemic or the threat of a pandemic should not hinder our love for our neighbors. Peter tells us that, “it is better to suffer for doing good if that should be God’s will…” (1 Peter 3:17). We love despite the risk. In fact, we have the perfect antidote to fear and worry in times like these. We have a Savior who put on flesh and walked the same broken and diseased paths that we walk today. He walked among the sick and the diseased and the lame and had compassion for them (Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14). Our neighbors need Jesus and perhaps we have been chosen to live in 2020 for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). Keep loving your neighbors because the Great Commission is our highest priority.
4) ACT WISELY
Our leadership desires to call you to an unusual trust in God’s sovereignty and an unusually risky love, but we also want to call you to be wise. Jesus told his disciples to be wise as serpents when he sent them out (Matthew 10:16). Also, if Jesus found it important to heal diseases, then we also must find it important to do what we can to prevent and stop disease. It’s not sinful fear to take precautions and setup preventative measures to slow or stop the spread of disease. This is just good, godly love and wisdom. We do not believe God would have us to be naive or reckless and disguise it as courage. We do not believe this to be Biblical. Wearing your seatbelt in the car is not a fearful act, but a wise act. It is a legitimate preventative measure to save your life.
Please check back for updates as needed. Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a great place to get the latest updates on COVID-19.