Amidst cancelled events and mission trips, the team in Sweden finds new ways to share the gospel online.
The once buzzing base in Sweden has quieted, as most of the OM staff now work from home due to the coronavirus. While this is a new challenge, it also opens new opportunities.
Team leader Daniel says: “Yes, we have set-backs, but we believe that Jesus is Lord of all and will not let the coronavirus stop us from reaching our mission.”
Due to the virus, they recently had to cancel six mission trips, which affected about 70 people. They also had to cancel the celebration of 50 years of OM in Sweden, which would have served as a major fundraising event. Church planting efforts are challenging, as fear of the coronavirus stops people from talking to strangers or coming to meetings (as of date, Sweden still allows churches to meet).
“Plans are also underway to increase online evangelism and follow up,” Daniel shared. “Many of our regular evangelistic meetings have come to a halt, but there are plenty of resources available online for the people we are seeking to reach, and we’d like direct our people towards these. One option is to do a mass distribution of leaflets promoting online ministries for different immigrant language groups. We are also considering creating our own media, including training on how to share the gospel with immigrants. Many Christians connect with them but don’t know how to share the gospel in an appropriate way. The gospel must go out!”
Already, the team has increased their own intercession and invited Swedish churches to join them in prayer for the world through an online meeting during OM’s global prayer day, March 26.
Please pray that the team in Sweden will be able to continue to share God’s love (without sharing coronavirus) and will have the financial resources needed to do so.