COVID-19: Update and Prayer Request from CRTS

Friday, March 20, 2020

Dear brothers and sisters,

Life in our world has changed.  The Lord and Giver of life has not changed.  The coronavirus, or COVID-19, has dominated our conversations, the news bulletins, and the social media.  In a matter of mere days, this global pandemic has overloaded medical systems, grounded planes, closed stores, disrupted school semesters, and caused severe stress on every nation’s economy.  It seems that it is all that everyone is talking about all the time.

Yet our God speaks.  Let us continue to listen to him.  Today, in Southern Ontario, there was a thunderstorm.  Psalm 29 resounds with the echoes of thunder clapping and cedar trees cracking.  All in all it’s a lot of sonic commotion.  But that same psalm ends with strength and peace—that special and grace-filled strength and peace that only comes from the LORD.

That psalm resonates in a very comforting way these days.  There is loud commotion all around us—constant updates, new government directives, and anxious citizens.  There is also turmoil within us.  Yes, we aim to be calm and strong.  But we have never lived through something quite like this before.  Where is our God taking us with all of this?  That’s why Psalm 29 is the calm—not just before—but during the storm, for as long as it may last.

“The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.  May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!” (Ps 29:10-11)

The COVID-19 crisis has also altered life at our seminary, and we ask you to pray for us as we work through the transitions we need to make.  In particular, please pray for:

• Professors and students as they have transitioned from in-person to online education
• Students who continue their studies from home but may feel lonely or shut-in due to the circumstances
• Staff who are working diligently to keep everything going, but now through modern technology
• The now-entirely-online visit of a team from the Association for Theological Schools for reaccreditation, which is scheduled for next week.
• Everyone to remain healthy and finish the semester well, including our fourth-year students who are wondering how ecclesiastical exams and potential calls occur in these circumstances
• Growth and refining of faith through this trial

“Our help is in the Name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Ps 124:8).