3 Ways To Do Ministry Better During The COVID-19 Crisis

By Steve Douglass, President, Cru

Note: Steve has been a friend and co-laborer with interlínc’s President Allen Weed for several decades.  We thank him for offering these ideas and resources that he shared with Cru staff directly with Team interlinc youthworkers.

Brothers and sisters in youth ministry,

What a privilege to co-labor in winning, building and sending students.  I am praying for you as we face some very challenging times together. The COVID-19 crisis has significantly changed how we conduct our lives and ministries, hasn’t it? And it is unclear how long it will last at such a high level of negative impact.

You are already hearing a great deal on how to keep safe and be responsible. But what are some things we can and should be doing as Christians in ministry? Let me briefly touch on three overall answers to that question:

1. Deal With Fears
This crisis can easily take a toll on us personally. So, a good starting point is to deal with our fears and then help others deal with their fears. Here is a 2-minute recording I shared on the Cru “Making Your Life Count” radio program.

2. Pray For Miracles
Most of us aren’t health experts or knowledgeable in curbing the spread of pandemics. However, the relationship we all have with God empowers us to pray for miracles that could slow down, and even stop, the spread of the virus and the impact it has on lives. So, one of the great services we as Christians can provide is to ask God to intervene dramatically in the crisis. Often unbelievers will tolerate and even appreciate prayer during a crisis.

3. Minister Differently
No one wanted this crisis to happen, but now that it is here, it opens a wide door to ministry. People know that they and people they love could experience serious consequences. So, as is true in crises, people are much more open than usual to hearing about a relationship with God who can give them peace, protection, etc. We need to find and implement ways to step into those opportunities through different strategies, training, and resources.

Students are cooped up at home and they are listening to more music than ever! We can help you get all the newest Christian music along with Bible studies and other resources right into their earbuds!

For example, if students aren’t present on campus for a while, we need to find new ways to win, build, and send them. A higher percentage of our ministering will be by phone and digital means versus one-on-one and group meetings. Bigger meetings will likely take place more by digital methods than by traveling to conferences, etc. 

This crisis should not “put us out of business.” It should force us to change and improve. Here are some  “Ministry from a Distance” ideas the Cru Global Strategies Team has put together. I encourage you to be a part of that process. Be open. Try new things. Learn from others. And please share what you learn.

Yours in Christ, 
Steve Douglass, President, Cru