Trusting in His Plans : Chaerin Kim

For the past few months, Grace Church has had the privilege of partnering with Simplicity Missions’ “COVID-19 Relief Project”. Simplicity Missions primarily focuses on providing food and necessities for the homeless people of Queens, The Bronx, and Brooklyn. But due to the immense impact of this pandemic on many people, the ministry has shifted its target provision to not only the homeless, but also to any family that is in need. 

First off, let me emphasize to you that this was a divine partnership made by God. Initially, Grace Church had planned to hold our annual FLOW summer camp in the month of June. The months preceding them were to be the preparation period. This year, our church also made plans to connect with two outside ministries/churches in hopes of holding a larger-scale summer camp. However, we could not proceed with the partnerships due to the unprecedented outbreak of the pandemic. Instead, God opened doors for us to serve with Simplicity Missions. Interestingly enough, the pastors directing Simplicity Missions had a prior relationship with one of the churches that we had planned to partner with for FLOW, Convergence Church, and had invited them to help out with the COVID-19 Response ministry as well. How amazing is it that this relationship unfolded in this way? When I had thought that God closed doors to this partnership, He opened it from a different direction! 

Among the many volunteer groups helping in this relief project, I participated in making deliveries with two members of Convergence Church. Our task was delivering 20 pre-packaged boxes of food and necessities to a Nigerian mosque in Brooklyn. When we arrived there, I noticed that the building was fairly large and under renovation. There, we met the Imam (equivalent to a pastor) of the mosque named Kazeem. We chatted for a little bit as we transferred the boxes into the building. Kazeem mentioned that their mosque was one of the largest ones in the city with around 400 members. Like our church, they had also been holding virtual services and meetings throughout the quarantine. Hearing the resemblance between Kazeem’s mosque and our church community expanded my heart for them. I volunteered in this charity work to share the Gospel and the love of God with the people whom I met, but I knew that it was nearly impossible for someone with a strict religious view, especially a Muslim, to receive Christ. It would only take divine intervention by God Himself to change their hearts. This thought deeply troubled me and led me to reexamine my faith in God.

Still, I knew for a fact that God can do the impossible. While our church was busy arranging our own plans, God had an entirely different plan for us and for the world. Who would have imagined the world at its current state? But if God can make such drastic changes in our lives, He is certainly capable of using us to change our neighbors’ lives too- no matter what religion they practice. Through this pandemic, we can see that God is not just calling His Church, but all His people into a new season: a season where everyone is challenged to step out of their comfort zones and respond to change. And it is during these unexpected times of crisis where there is a clear distinction between His children and the world. We may all seem to be struggling with the same problems, but only God’s people hold onto the hope of His eternal kingdom. We also know that it is crucial to not only cling onto it, but also to share it with our neighbors in faith. 

As we continue with this partnership, let us be reminded that faith and works complete one another. The Bible says, “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26). I encourage you to actively search for what it is that God is calling you to do during this time. As our Lord is faithful to us in every season, let us take this opportunity to boldly take a step forward towards His kingdom plan.