Displaying items by tag: Global

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) stated recently, ‘Some of the most active centres of Covid-19 infection, such as China and Iran, are countries where the media have been unable to fulfil their role of informing the public. There is an urgent need to render an exhaustive and honest account of the obstacles to press freedom and the attempts to manipulate information during this unprecedented epidemic. And we must offer solutions that enable journalists now and tomorrow to provide reliable information and combat rumours.’ With this in mind, RSF has launched Tracker-19 to monitor and evaluate the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on journalism, and to offer recommendations on how to defend the right to information. The tool will monitor not only coronavirus but any unprecedented global crisis. It will document state censorship and deliberate disinformation, and their impact on the right to reliable news and information. It will also make recommendations on how to defend journalism.

The scientific community is on the hunt for effective, scalable treatments for coronavirus, while at the same time developing a safe and tested vaccine. It took five years to produce an Ebola vaccine. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation said that human trials with an experimental COVID-19 vaccine have already begun. One of a group of volunteers involved in testing, Jennifer Haller, became the first person to receive one at Kaiser Permanente Washington Research Institute. There is no risk of the volunteers becoming infected, because the shots of the vaccine (named RNA-1273) do not contain the coronavirus itself. WHO says there are over forty potential vaccines and as many as one hundred undergoing development, although only a handful are as yet being clinically tested. There are over thirty companies and academic institutions worldwide trying different approaches to find the silver bullet to beat COVID-19.

For over fifty years Tearfund has responded to disasters, learning lessons which are helping them respond to coronavirus. From their work tackling Ebola in West Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo, they know that faith leaders play a vital role in conveying public health messages to communities. They are responding to coronavirus through their global network of local church partners helping them to promote the right messages (particularly around good hygiene and sanitation) and to correct lies and misinformation about the disease. They are giving advice on how to care for and look out for their communities; to have an answer for tough theological questions about why the coronavirus has happened; and to encourage communities to pray for an end to the outbreak. Tearfund is also in close contact with other humanitarian organisations so that everyone is drawing on the experience of others.

Did you know that COVID-19 is caused by 5G networks, and that you can cure it with a hairdryer or with a drug that isn't FDA-approved? None of this is true. Yet millions around the world believe this as part of a vast storm of conspiracy theories, scams, and virus disinformation on the internet and social media. In this season of fear and danger there is an enormous need by the public for information that is comforting and reassuring. irrespective of whether it's true. The UN and WHO call this an ‘infodemic,’ which is spreading alongside the pandemic, complicating efforts to slow and treat COVID-19. They have even published a handy myth-buster - for example, drinking alcohol doesn't kill the virus, no matter what the President of Belarus says.

Get involved with the amazing work of Global Media Outreach!

Our world as we know it has changed overnight.

The coronavirus pandemic has now reached every state in the United States and almost every nation around the world. In addition to posing public health challenges, the outbreak has prompted mass closures of schools and businesses; urging millions of people to go take shelter inside their homes. Fear and chaos are running rampant all around us.

Where do people find hope during this pandemic?

Since our founding in 2004, almost 2 billion people have seen the Gospel through Global Media Outreach. Over the last year, we have expanded our capacity to reach 6 times the people we are reaching today. We don’t need additional office overhead or infrastructure.

We simply need funding to purchase more ads to reach more people. With the coronavirus outbreak, it proves that the time for digital evangelism is now fully upon us.

We're all in this together

As millions find themselves in isolation, they only have one place to find answers: the internet. Only by working together can we make sure people find Jesus. The time to share the Gospel with them is now.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, there's been seen an influx of people come to our sites–doubling our online traffic. Our volunteer Online Missionaries are working overtime to answer questions such as: “How can I overcome fear? and “Why is this virus happening?”

As a result, many are joining us and are investing in reaching even more people worldwide! Through a series of social media campaigns, we’re making the message of salvation accessible to those who are overwhelmed with fear and need hope during this crisis.

What do the COVID-19 Gospel presentations look like?  SEE HERE

There are many factors that go into running social media campaigns and creating culturally-relevant Gospel presentations. Here are a few examples of the end result:

Over the past 15 years, God has faithfully prepared Global Media Outreach for such a time as this. Now is the time for the body of Christ to be light amidst all the darkness surround our world.  We do not know how long the door to reach multitudes at their point of need will remain open. Will you join us in sharing Jesus online during this pandemic?

Here are 2 important ways you can make a difference:

1. First and foremost, you can PRAY. Prayer makes a difference – it makes all the difference.

You can pray for those who have yet to hear the Good News that Jesus has overcome fear and death and through Him is the only way to true, eternal life.

You can pray for more workers in the field – all Christians everywhere - to share the Gospel. It is our privilege and responsibility to tell others of the hope that we have experienced and how they can know God through a relationship with His son.

You can pray for Global Media Outreach to be even more effective in reaching into the most difficult parts of the world, reaching people everywhere at their point of need with Christ, our hope of glory.

You can pray for more volunteer online missionaries to be available and willing to address difficult questions and direct anxious seekers to the Prince of Peace.

You can pray for more donations to come and extend our Gospel outreach. We have the capacity to reach up to 2 million people per day – we just need financial resources.

2. Volunteer

Join the frontlines. Make this time of isolation count for the Lord. Become a volunteer Online Missionary and share your faith with the lost.

Global Media Outreach
www.globalmediaoutreach.com

Anglican health and mission agencies had a global consultation to discuss their response to coronavirus. They have published key learnings and some examples of best practice, and are building up a repository of resources and Bible studies that can be adapted for different contexts. The Alliance identified three key roles the Church can play in such times to promote preparedness and resilience. These are ‘to give hope and combat fear with accurate information and encouragement through our faith; to keep the worshipping and wider community connected, if necessary via messages, phone and online, in case of quarantine and disruption; and to show God’s compassion and care to those affected in our communities, remembering that those already most vulnerable will be most affected’.

The world is shutting down in an unparalleled global response to coronavirus. Pray for God to cause a mighty wind of His Holy Spirit to turn the tide of sickness and fear. The current strategy of shutting down large parts of society is not sustainable in the long term. Pray for countries to agree to an exit strategy that will restrain social and economic damage. Scientists say that the coronavirus is not going to disappear entirely. Let us ask God to convict communities of the need to change permanently behaviour that enables contagion, so that there is a sound global immunity to infection. Vaccines are said to be 12-18 months away. Pray for God to guide the researchers and scientists as they seek to develop them.

As the virus spreads, pray for everyone to listen to the advice from local authorities, and show care and regard for one another - especially the elderly and most vulnerable. If ever there was a time for prayers and supplications, this is such a time. Let us join together in united prayer as we pray for: governments and local authorities who bear large responsibilities in confronting this challenge; WHO and all professionals working to safeguard public health; industry leaders and all taking precautions and making decisions to confront this challenge; and pastors, church leaders, and community leaders, who provide care and guidance for those they lead. As a global family, this is a time to let the light of Christ shine healing rays throughout the world.

Pray for China, Italy, Spain, South Korea, and Iran, where thousands are suffering the loss of loved ones and millions suffer isolation from the outside world. Thank God for all the healthcare workers dedicated to care for the sick. May our political leaders not suffer the stress that can invade all those in decision-making positions over containing contamination. May they have Godly wisdom and a calm approach to all decisions. Many are suffering the fear of ‘going without’, causing items to disappear from shops’ shelves. Pray for this fear to be overridden with a spirit of sharing and concern for others. We are surrounded by negative news and social media. Without dismissing the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak, let us remember to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). For ten further prayer needs, click the ‘More’ button.

‘Jehovah Shalom, Lord of Peace, we remember those living in coronavirus hotspots and those currently in isolation. May they know Your presence, Your peace in their turmoil and your patience in their waiting. God of Comfort and Counsel, we pray for the grieving, reeling from the sudden loss of loved-ones; may they find Your fellowship in their suffering, Your comfort in their loss, and Your hope in their despair. Jehovah Rapha, God who heals, we pray for all medical professionals dealing daily with the intense pressures of this crisis. Grant them resilience in weariness, discernment in diagnosis, and compassion as they care. We thank you for the army of researchers working steadily and quietly towards a cure: give them clarity and unexpected breakthroughs. May You rise above this present darkness as the Sun of Righteousness with healing in your rays.’ For the full prayer, click the ‘More’ button.