BY KAY DILLS
1 JOHN 1: 5
This is the message, which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him no darkness at all.
In early 2020 darkness covered the world. It was called Covid-19. It spread like wildfire from country to country. Worldwide over 100 million were infected and over 2 million deaths occurred as a result of this deadly disease. Our world began to change as the darkness set in. First, we saw how greedy man had become as essential supplies became low. Who would have thought that toilet paper would be considered a luxury item? Cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, canned goods became very hard to find as grocery store shelves became bare. On March 13, 2020 schools were closed, sporting events were canceled and restaurants became carryout only. A governmental quarantine order was issued and a stay-at-home order was put into place. If you had to go out you were required to wear a mask and gloves and stay 6 feet apart: a term which became known as social distancing. On March 17th Ranlo Baptist Church closed its doors. But when the world said stop, God said go. That is actually what Ranlo Baptist Church did.
It began when David Scott took his cell phone and placed it on a tripod and set the tripod onto the empty chair. The padded chair supported the tripod legs and under one leg he placed 3 small copies of Our Daily Bread. He recorded the Pastor preaching to empty seats and downloaded the message on Facebook so that all could see and hear the Word of God. This was the beginning of the light peeking through the darkness.
At that time there were 3 people in the church: the Pastor, David Scott and Bo Hughes our sound director. Bo decided that it was sad to see the Pastor preaching to empty pews. So, he got with all the members and asked for pictures, which he placed in the pews in the vicinity of where we normally sat. This was done without the Pastor’s knowledge. On that Sunday morning the Pastor walked from his office to the pulpit only to see the whole congregation smiling back at him. This in itself was a rarity. The smile on his face lit up the church and again the darkness began to fade.
For 2 months our church service was limited to watching Facebook. It had been over 100 years and for the first time the doors to Ranlo Baptist church were closed on Easter Sunday. Early on the morning of April 12th the sun rose. It was one of the most beautiful Son rising that you could imagine. God was reminding us that: HE LIVES! HE LIVES!
We could not worship together but that did not stop us. God’s hand was at work.
On May 10th, which was Mother’s Day, we gathered in the parking lot to worship. Some sat in their cars while other sat outside in chairs to hear the Word of God. Although we still wore mask and could not get close, there was a feeling of hope felt by all.
Psalms 56: 13
For you have delivered my soul from death. Have you not kept my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
God had taken Ranlo Baptist Church under his wing! Over 20 members of our church had tested positive for Covid-19. Although some were more serious than others, God had answered our prayers and kept them safe.
On May 17, 2020, the doors to Ranlo Baptist Church reopened, the Holy Spirit filled the church as members began to return. From that point forward the light has become brighter and brighter. Even in the darkness of the pandemic, Ranlo Baptist Church has continued to move forward. Our offerings have increased, each Sunday there are new faces in our mist and people continue to join our church. We have installed a video system and now have online presences. With everyday that passes the light of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ consumes the darkness.
The doors are now open for all services. The choir cannot resume yet but the quartet has stepped up and done a remarkable job with our music. The pews are taped off, masks are required and although handshakes are not acceptable behavior the smiles grow bigger and bigger.
Ecclesiastes 7:13-14
Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other.
The light shines bright at Ranlo Baptist Church. God has blessed us! He has given us a church full of members who love our Lord and love each other because He first loved us.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of the darkness into His marvelous light