HIM Response to COVID-19

In light of the COVID-19 crisis the FEA offices have been contacted by individuals inquiring about the safety and wellbeing of our missionaries serving faithfully around the world. Hope International Missions has an incredible team of dedicated men, women, and children making disciples for Christ. In this time of unprecedented crisis, our top priority is the health and wellbeing of our 37 missionary units (comprised of 63 adults and 24 children).

While we understand our primary reliance is upon God, it is also true that He wants us to make wise decisions. As the serious nature of the pandemic was becoming apparent, the HIM office sent the following information to our missionaries.

  1. Realizing that every field is unique in its strengths and limitations, we support the decisions of the regional directors and their missionary team with regard to the decision to return to the States or to remain on the field during these uncertain times. We are prepared to offer our support and assistance however it is needed.
  2. In the event that one of the team gets infected and becomes critically ill, we will do everything within our power to evacuate them to a place where they can get the professional care they need. However the evacuation options and availability may become limited.
  3. If someone feels it is necessary to evacuate their family, we strongly encourage that families not split up but rather leave as a complete unit.
  4. Our opinion (after consulting with various authorities on crisis management) is that unless someone is at risk, there is a far greater susceptibility to contracting the virus by traveling internationally than by self-quarantining at home.

President Martin, his executive staff, and HIM Director of Member Care Steve Stetler have been in regular contact with our missionaries ensuring them of our support in whatever ways needed. Steve Stetler is a member of the Missionary Member Care Network and has been keeping up with their recommendations regarding overseas missionary activities.

To this point no HIM missionaries have chosen to leave their field of service. For most of them regular ministry work has been altered. A number are in mandatory lockdown situations. However in spite of this, and perhaps it is more accurate to say because of this, we are encouraged to see God opening many unique opportunities to minister in ways that would probably have been impossible without this pandemic.

We will continue closely monitoring the health and safety of our missionaries. And like all of you, we are praying for this crisis to be brought under control and are asking God to comfort those who have been devastated by COVID-19. But we also realize these are unprecedented times to share the gospel with a confused and hurting world. Our missionaries continue to do exactly that around the globe. We pray 2020 will be our most fruitful year ever as we step through open doors of opportunity and reach the hearts of people God is preparing to hear the gospel!