EKNK Board’s encouragement to EKNK

We overcame the last crisis and will overcome also this one. But we won’t only overcome it, but we will win it! Jesus said, that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church. Corona virus, recession and other uncomfortable aspects cannot weaken the church. The cinemas, bars, casinos, malls and sports events might be shut down, but the church is still active, having a great impact on today’s world.

Psalms 37:39 says: „The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.“ This is just one promise from God to show us, how he’s gonn’a take a good care of us during tough times. If we believe that, then we also dear to give out, encourage and share hope to the people around us, declaring boldly Christ’s Gospel, that can reach the hearts that have not been receptive so far.

Last weeks have hit many of us. Some have lost their jobs, the others have got sick. I get it. Have lost few planned incomes myself too. Yet I believe, that this is the time for God to show His glory and for the church to sow love, hope and Gospel’s life changing message to the community.

Let’s be bold to do that!
Pastor Janno Peensalu

We live in midst of hard times. Yet there are two sides to every medal. The good side is that every hard time tries us and shows us, what is really inside us. Jacob 5:7-8 tells us to stand firm ad be ready and prepared for every situation. I want to encourage you to stand firm, fill your heart with God’s Word, be persistent in prayer and keep your focus on God for He carries us through every situation.

Be blessed and stay safe,
Pastor Markko Põld

Dear brothers and sisters! Crisis, sufferings and hardships speak of God’s grace even when God doesn’t save people from these sufferings (a’la thorn in Paul’s flesh). Or when He lets us go through them so that we would learn to trust Him in all the areas of our lives. Jesus Himself suffered. He knew there’s no life without suffering and crisis. These are the circumstances, that change our every day routines. No doubt, that the present situation can also be pretty uncomfortable. Yet I believe, that we can benefit even from that. I believe it is time to consider, what really matters in life and what doesn’t so that by moving forward we would know better, what values are worth of investing our resources into. It is also encouraging to know, that despite of the outward situations we as Christians are still on the Victor’s side!

Bishop Alur Õunpuu

And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. Deut.20:3-4

For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken Psalm 34:20

For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. Ro. 14:8

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Phil. 4:4

Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but [a]rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Rev 3:5

Dean Nikolai Rütkinen

The disciples had hidden themselves behind the closed doors after Jesus’ sufferings „for fear of the Jewish leaders“ (John 20:19-21). They were afraid, that the ones who killed Jesus, would also come after them. We are also behind the closed doors today, but for another reasons. Our reason is Government’s order to forbid all the public gatherings. At this moment all the people are behind closed doors and not just Christians. Yet, Jesus’ meeting with His fearful disciples shows us, that we have hope.

At the time, when the disciples had hidden themselves behind closed doors, Jesus Himself went to them and said: „Peace be with you!“ (Jon 20:19) He is not limited by closed doors or disciples’ fear. He is not limited by anything. At the time, when disciples are fearful and unsecure, He doesn’t leave them in the hands of pessimistic prospects. We all have moments, where we believe, that everything is possible and there are great prospects to life. But we also go through moments, where we have just a little faith and future seems really dark. The disciples experienced the last one.

Dear friends, Christian faith has never drawn it’s strength from this world. Meaning from everything that we as people can do or offer to God. The source of living faith has always been and still is everything that God’s Spirit does in and through us. God doesn’t need our prayers, virtue or great faith. He rather desires, that we would make room for the moment, when He steps in, in order to meet with us and fill us with His overflowing and immeasurable peace. All the rest grows out of that…

Bishop Ago Lilleorg
Senior chaplain of Defence Forces

I truly encourage you to read Jesus’ message in John 16:32-33:
“A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

It truly is time now, where we all are „in our own home“. Corona virus harasses us in many different ways. That’s for sure. BUT, I like the word „but“. Jesus wants us to have peace in Him. God doesn’t always change our circumstances based on our prayers, but may His peace fill you and me! Why and how? “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Despite of the circumstances – Jesus is the courage, peace and victory in us.

Bishop Märt Vähi

Compared to the time just few months ago we live in a totally different situation. We are used to hear about fearful events somewhere else and think, that it doesn’t pertain to us; that our life here in Estonia is safe and peaceful. Yet today we are all in a new situation, that causes many to be insecure and fearful about the future.

Yet God is the same and His Word is unchangeable. Jesus Christ continues to lead and guide His church despite of everything happening around us. Jesus said on Matthew 6: „So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.“

Our priorities as believers should always remain the same. Of course we do everything that is needed, but our first focus should be God’s Kingdom and fellowship with Him. Then He also gives us wisdom to handle everything else and His supernatural help is always with us.

May God’s guidance, presence and peace be with us all!
Dean Meelis Maikalu

The time we go through right now is unexpected for most of the people and maybe even scary. But God takes care of His own and only He sees the greater picture behind it all.

Psalms 91:4 “He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
Matthew 17:7 “But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.””

I believe lot of good is coming out of this situation. Just like throughout the history God’s church has grown in the midst of hardships. God is good and He is good all the time. Jer 29:11 „For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

It is a wonderful time to share about God for people are so opened to God’s Word. This time will bring good changes and freshness both to the church as well as to the world, where God is not so known yet.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Blessings and peace,
Dean Ragnar Lainesaar

“Don’t ever waste a crisis.”Craig Groeschel
May this present time be a time, where everything that is significant and truly important, will get more of your attention and what is less important, less of your attention.

I want to encourage you to be wise in the midst of crisis by:

1. practising discipline. Self-discipline during the crisis prepares you for everything unforeseeable in the future and tests your vision, why you are here?
2. using wisely the extra time you’ve got now. I’m sure you’ve had something on your heart for a long time that you’ve wanted to do, but you’ve put it on hold due the lack of time. Now it’s time to do it.
3. fixing old mistakes. It is certainly a time, where to fix the communication errors between spouses, settle the arguments, ask for forgiveness and have a new beginning. It is certainly a time, where parents-children relationships will be restored and brought to a totally new level. Fix all the mistakses by giving up bad habit to waste money and your sloppy commitment to God.
4. allowing cleansing take place within you. Sense, what the Lord is cleansing inside you and let Him do His job!
5. continuing creatively with the mission, that God has sent you for. Don’t let your love cool down, but may it burn with even greater flame.

Blessings,
Pastor Ivo Unt