WOA Churches Enter Christmas Season Focusing on Sharing Hope in Jesus Christ

World Olivet Assembly churches around the world have entered the Advent season leading up to Christmas with a focus on sharing the hope in Jesus Christ with a world in need. While the ongoing pandemic does not allow for the usual larger Christmas retreats and services, online evangelism, Bible studies and fellowships allow more people to be reached. And amid the social distancing and isolation many people experience, there is a greater hunger for God's Word that gives comfort, hope and meaning.

The Gospel of John comes to us with new meaning as we consider the challenges and suffering the world has experienced this year. He writes: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [...] The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world." (John 1:1-4 + 9, NIV)

"This year's Christmas season - just like the whole of 2020 - is very different from anything we have seen before. The time of the year when we wish to come together as a spiritual family to reflect on the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ into this world is instead marked by distance, isolation and insecurity for many," said Pastor Mark Spisak, General Secretary of WOA.

"But the Word of God gives us comfort. It reminds us that Jesus Christ who is the true light came into this world of darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. As believers in Christ, we seek to reflect this light in the midst of all that is going on around us. In fact especially in difficult and dark times such as this, our light should shine even brighter because we have a hope and confidence that comes from God's love and grace as revealed in the coming of Jesus for our salvation," he continued.

All WOA churches, ministers and members around the world have committed themselves to actively reaching out this Christmas season to reach one more soul. May the Holy Spirit guide them as they share the Good News of the true light that came into this world to give light to everyone.