INTRODUCTION
In January 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of a new coronavirus disease in Hubei Province, China to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. WHO stated there is a high risk of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spreading to other countries around the world. WHO and public health authorities around the world have been taking action to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. However, long term success cannot be taken for granted. All sections of our society – including businesses and employers/employees – must play a role if we are to stop the spread of this disease.
Consequently, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Christian worship in various ways, including the cancellation of the worship services of various faiths, the closure of Sunday Schools, as well as the cancellation of pilgrimages surrounding observances and mega festivals.Many churches have offered worship through live stream amidst the pandemic. While our father in the Lord, the General Overseer (Worldwide) of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E. A. Adeboye (Daddy G. O.) has continued to offer live stream services since the lockdown and the distribution of relief materials, our commitment to health, safety and environmental policy matters among others cannot be compromised.
What we now need are the Josephs and Daniels who will interpret the present pandemic and offer solutions for the future church; and this has to be done hastily (Gen.41:14).
RESPONSE AND IMPACT
1.Constant CSR by the Church
The church should as a matter of urgency include in her structure the office a Pastor in Charge of Welfare (Acts 6:1-4). CSR should now be extended to include:
✔Relief materials.
✔Supply of disinfectants, powered air-purifying respirators, face shields, gloves, coronavirus nucleic acid detection reagents, ventilators, patient monitors, syringe pumps, infusion pumps, and food to affected areas.
2.Food and medical assistance and social justice work
The World Council of Churches General Secretary Olav Fykse Tveit announced that, "This situation calls on our solidarity and accountability, mindfulness, care and wisdom... [as well as] for our signs of faith, hope and love".
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic,
✔We should operate food pantries that are offering bags filled with meat and toilet paper rolls for needy families.
✔We should continue to donate surgical masks to hospitals and individuals.
✔We should offer free COVID-19 tests in parking lots.
✔Pastors to remain on rotational call 24/7 for COVID-19 patients and counselling.
3.Quick Shift in the mode of organizing/holding services
The church should launch a free and complete and comprehensive toolkit package containing all Church service activities and provide the instructions on how to access them.
4.Agriculture
We should take advantage of States with comparative advantage to grow agriculture on a large scale; empowering our Youths by providing employment for them.
5.Requisite Skills
In addition, our programs going forward should be tailored towards providing requisite skills to cope with the present challenges in the world.
