Even as 2019 turned the corner into 2020, few could have imagined the utter panic, chaos, disruption, destruction, death and loss that would be unleashed globally by the Covid-19 pandemic. Three years down the road, people are still reeling from the effects of its visitation.
Like so many, Raphah Ministries was not spared.
Barred from operating and having groups of people gathering in its Centres, Raphah was compelled to temporarily shut it doors and suspend its regular ministry activities.
Unprepared for a challenge of this nature and magnitude, Raphah’s leaders were faced with the inevitable question of how to continue ministry under these restrictive circumstances.
Believing that all things work for good to those called according to God’s purposes, the leaders began to actively explore alternative ways to maintain contact with its team members as well as continue offering its seminars and prayer counselling help.
That was when the leaders were introduced to ZOOM and the world of online learning, presentations, webinars, conferencing, and meeting.
The BabyBoomers in Raphah quickly became BabyZOOMers, as they grappled with a new digital vocabulary while trying to make sense of hitherto unfamiliar computer hardware and software, of audio levels and image resolutions, etc,.
Truth be told, Raphah’s early online productions were nothing to shout about: blurry pictures, poor quality sound, amateurish powerpoint presentations, etc,.
But as the pandemic persisted, and the weeks turned into months, Raphah’s learning curve and resources in online learning and counselling improved exponentially.
Attendances at Raphah events and activities prior to the pandemic had been in their 20s, 30s, or a maximum of 40s. For the first time, online, Raphah began to welcome attendances in their 100s and from different countries, too. Glory be to God!
Today, the Raphah team is markedly more competent and comfortable in the use of this online ministry platform. With a growing online following, the possibility of extending Raphah’s footprint further is promising.
Like a cocoon is to a butterfly, where a caterpillar morphs into a pupa only to emerge a beautiful butterfly, the Covid-19 pandemic was like a cocoon to Raphah Ministries. The inactivity provided the ministry a unique opportunity to renew itself, and emerge stronger and better equipped going forward.
For many in the world the pandemic was a tragedy, for Raphah Ministries it was God’s training for ministry to the nations! ♥