We pray during this season of COVID-19 alongside…
Alliance-endorsed chaplains
serving in healthcare and who serve in the front lines every day during this pandemic. We also pray for healthcare workers and all of those who are risking their health for the safety and health of the whole.
Alliance-affiliated pastors
who serve and lead congregations through this pandemic. We pray for those who are offering pastoral care and providing spiritual engagement while adhering to the advice of doctors to prioritize social distancing.
We pray in gratitude for those
essential workers
who have kept grocery stores, pharmacies, and essential businesses running. And we fervently pray for the systemic changes this pandemic has even further illuminated, as William Barber II has written, "With its broad sweep, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us into an unprecedented national emergency. This emergency, however, results from a deeper and much longer term crisis—that of poverty and inequality, and of a society that ignores the needs of 140 million people who are poor."
Kathy Manis Findley
, Macon, Ga., who asks for prayers as she is struggling with the challenge of an immunosuppressed state that has isolated her since her transplant over four months ago. Kathy writes, “I have been out of the house very little and have felt isolated and even lonely. Now with COVID-19 pressing on us all, even the frequent visits from my faith community have had to stop.” Kathy has served on the board of directors and directed a ministry partner of the Alliance.
Stephen Paff
, New York City, N.Y., who is recovering from COVID-19. The member of Ellis Avenue Church, Chicago, now living in New York, served as an intern at Ellis Avenue through Summer Communities of Service in 2013.
Waldemar Murguido Sánchez-Quiros
, Matanzas, Cuba, who has been released after testing negative when admitted to the hospital with symptoms of COVID-19. He serves as the financial secretary of the Fraternity of Baptist Churches of Cuba.
Melody Updyke,
Greenville, S.C., who has a history of asthma and is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. She is the daughter of Sharon Welsch, associate pastor of congregational partner Mars Hill Baptist Church, Mars Hill, N.C.
We pray alongside…
Amy Grizzle Cain
, Greensboro, N.C. as she continues to recover after being hospitalized in March with a bacterial infection. The Duke Divinity alumnae serves as associate minister of First Baptist Church, Greensboro, N.C.
Zaida Hernádez Gutiérrez
, Matanzas, Cuba, who is recovering from a break in her foot. Zaida is the pastor of the Church of Arrachavaleta and was elected as president of the Fraternity of Baptist Churches of Cuba at their annual meeting in February.
The family of
Evelyn Long Jones
, Covington, Ga., who died Wednesday, March 25. She is the mother of Allen Jones, community chaplain of congregational partner The Church at Ponce & Highland, Atlanta, Ga.
John Laney
, Asheville, N.C., who is quarantine in the health care unit at Givens Estates and has been admitted into hospice care. John served as founding pastor of congregational partner Twinbrook Baptist Church, Rockville, Md. and is married to Joan Yarborough whom he met while serving at congregational partner Glendale Baptist Church, Nashville, Tenn.
Francisco “Paco” Rodés
, Matanzas, Cuba, who was treated and released from the hospital for an irregular heartbeat within the past month. Paco is one of the founders of the active hope partner Fraternity of Baptist Churches of Cuba, and retired from serving as pastor of First Baptist Church, Matanzas.
The family of
Elizabeth Williams Spencer,
Midlothian, Va., who died March 18. The 93 year-old was the mother of Alliance supporter, Dorothy Wagener, Winston-Salem, N.C., who is a member of congregational partner Knollwood Baptist Church.
We celebrate alongside…
Natalie Aho
, Oxford, N.C., who has been named the first program manager of Baptist Commons at Wake Forest University School of Divinity. Previously, Natalie served on the staff of Baptist News Global.
Jerry Gentry
, Atlanta, Ga., who has completed a certificate in Spiritual Direction at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Ga. Jerry is a member of congregational partner Oakhurst Baptist Church and was endorsed by the Alliance in 2008.
Stan Hastey
, Palm Beach, Fla., who has returned home after a brief stay in the hospital. We celebrate that he did not need to undergo surgery, and are grateful for the precautions taken at the hospital during this time of COVID-19. Stan served for twenty years as the executive director/minister of mission and ecumenism of the Alliance of Baptists.
