At the epicenter of the Covid-19 crisis in Italy, an evangelical church opened its building to the community, transforming it into a shelter for the homeless.

“Churches were shut, but many have never been busier”, said the United Kingdom Evangelical Alliance as the findings of the survey ‘Changing church: Responding to the coronavirus crisis’ were presented.

Is the UK government’s decision to allow ‘private prayer’ yet more evidence of rife religious illiteracy within the corridors of power?

A 2019 report of the Observatory for Religious and Conscience Freedom warns that the violent attacks against places of worship have increased.

The “joy” of those who already had their first Sunday gatherings contrasts with the precaution of many others who prefer to wait some more weeks before organising in-person activities.

Churches across the country remember those who died in special worship services with a “message of hope in resurrection and eternal life”.

The first Sunday of reopening was May 24, but several churches waited another week. “Returning was a mixture of feelings between joy and pain”, church members said.

The National Council of Evangelicals of France collected the data of 580 churches. 8 in 10 congregations have used video conferences and other online tools during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The German ‘land’ of Hessen re-opened church buildings on 1 May. The worship service followed hygienic and social distancing measures, but singing without face masks was allowed.

As Christians in today’s culture, we need to have an awareness of the competing gods of digital Babylon. If we actively serve the gods of Europe, we may in the end find ourselves not worshiping the God of the Universe.

“Collins has demonstrated how religious faith can motivate rigorous scientific research”, the John Templeton Foundation has said. Francis Collins: “The person of Jesus emerged as the most profound truth-teller I had ever encountered”.

French evangelicals welcome the “affirmation of freedom of worship as a fundamental freedom” and issue a guide with practical information about the re-operning of church buildings.

Meanwhile in California, thousands of churches plan to restart public services on Pentecost Sunday, regardless of what the governor of the state says.

There are differences in the expected dates but evangelical organisations are already offering specific recommendations to churches.

I would like to offer some thoughts on the issue with the hope of stimulating further reflection by the church.

“Religious communities have been very responsible and very problem-conscious”, the spokesman of the German government said. The Austrian Chancellor gave “a special thank you to the churches”. 

How and when churches expect to go back to face-to-face gatherings.

The National Council of Evangelicals of France supports “the current restrictions for reasons of public health”. “In this crisis, we keep our hope in God intact, and seek to share it”.

The sanction includes the expulsion of the religious leaders and foreign personnel, banning the possibility of re-entering the country.

With internet and video saturation at an all-time high, Christians need more than a transmission of a message. A new platform offers training to churches in Europe.

Evangelical leaders in Colombia and Peru presented projects to their governments, to support coronavirus victims. Cuban evangelicals are actively working with those affected by the pandemia.

The cases of using coronavirus as a pretext for arresting evangelical leaders have grown amid the Himalayan lockdown.

Mabuhay! Making that familiar and traditional Filipino greeting during a global lockdown carries more meaning and hope. It means, “Live!”

For all who trust in Christ, there is real and eternal hope. In the storm, at some point, He will reveal his true glory to us.

Millions face a ‘double crisis’ as the Covid-19 epidemic grows. “Migrant workers are walking hundreds of kilometres desperated to reach their home villages”, says an evangelical pastor. “Thousands of Christian doctors, nurses and paramedics are serving in the frontline”.