As a global organization, the following statement has been drafted in prayer and consultation with medical officials as a response to the global pandemic COVID-19.
In light of the pandemic COVID-19, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. will continue to actively monitor the developments of COVID-19 from global and national leading health and government authorities. The P.A.W. is committed to the health and well-being of all our members and global community. Therefore, we encourage all our pastors and members to adhere to the directives set forth by your federal and regional authorities, including postponing or cancelling gatherings as mandated.
Though we, as the Body of Christ, believe in God’s supreme authority and power over all manner of sickness and disease, the P.A.W. also encourages all to use wisdom and common sense as given to man by God. We encourage you to take all necessary precautions, and follow the recommendations as set forth by the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO):
- Anyone exhibiting symptoms of a cold or acute viral infection should not travel or attend meetings or gatherings, including worship services. These symptoms include fever, cough, sneezing, runny nose, diarrhea or feeling tired.
- Anyone who has had pneumonia or other respiratory illness such as asthma or bronchitis should not travel or attend gatherings, including worship services.
- Anyone who has had compromise of their immune system or treatments such as chemotherapy should not travel or attend gatherings, including worship services.
- Precautions such as frequent hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, coughing into a barrier such as disposable tissues or such that can be safely discarded, and avoiding touching your face should be practiced.
- It is important to note that those 60 or older, especially if not in good health, have a higher risk of contracting the virus and a greater chance of complications if contracted.
In the face of pandemics, such as COVID-19, and other local and global afflictions, it is imperative that Believers do not lose our confidence in Christ Jesus. Now, more than ever, we must be light in a dark world and demonstrate the hope of Christ. We must also continue to fervently pray for those impacted by COVID-19 globally, in addition to using wisdom and following common sense precautions. Please pray for those sick, all families affected, for the healthcare professionals working diligently on behalf of people everywhere, and our communities at large.
We must hold to God’s promise in our lives, remembering “there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling” (Ps 91:10), while in the abundance of caution simultaneously doing our part to uphold our health and the health of our communities. We believe in the Lord’s miraculous healing power, and we remain confident in Him through it all.