In light of social isolation restrictions and widespread concern surrounding novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Hope Discovery Centre in Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia, has produced “Coronavirus Versus Your Immune System” GLOW tracts—small brochures of information for church members to distribute to their communities.
South Pacific Division (SPD) president Pastor Glenn Townend and his wife, Pamela, have been daily distributing the tracts in their Central Coast neighborhood, being sure to follow government health advice and using sanitized hands and gloves.
“Glenn bought 10,000 of them, so we’ve managed to get other people from the SPD to help us distribute them,” Pamela explained. “We go out most mornings and letterbox around 200-250 of them, and we’ve distributed around 2000 now.”
Church members and literature evangelists across Australia have also been distributing the GLOW tracts, with one woman in Western Australia finding one in a public toilet and contacting the Hope Discovery Centre as a result. She was then put into contact with local literature evangelist Paul Bodor, and has since ordered 100 tracts to distribute to her local community.
“She read it and was so excited that we are talking about strengthening our immune systems,” explained Linda Thomas, Hope Channel administrative assistant. “She said, ‘No one is talking about this, everyone is buying junk food when the fresh veggie aisles have an abundance of food we need.'”
Wayne Boehm, Hope Channel Australia, added, “One woman sent an email telling us to leave sharing health information to health professionals,” explained Pastor Boehm. “I responded to the email and said this was part of our history as the Seventh-day Adventist Church—that we run hospitals, clinics, health departments—and she emailed back and apologized, saying, ‘If I’d known that it was the Adventists, I wouldn’t have been worried.”
Pastor Townend pointed out that people want answers, and these GLOW tracts can offer some.
“A GLOW tract in a letterbox as people walk for exercise is something anybody can do and it has a huge impact,” he added. “I had an Adventist health professional say that they need such a tract now to give to patients. Now is not the time to be conservative in our outreach. We have a message and this is a real and valued way to get it out.”
In addition to distributing thousands of GLOW tracts, the Townends have also letterboxed more than 400 “Here to Help” cards produced by the Australian Union Conference, offering practical help and emotional support to people in their community.
“I’ve made note of everybody that has contacted me, and have been in touch with 24 people on a regular basis as a result,” Pamela said. “Some of the seniors just want to chat, and a lot of people gave me their personal details and shared their stories with me.”
The Townends sent two follow-up messages of blessing to their contacts—one at Easter and another on Anzac Day [Memorial Day]. Having received many positive responses and invitations to meet up, they are now planning to invite everyone to a “break-out” party at their home when restrictions are lifted.
“Glenn and I are always looking for opportunities to connect and create community in a better way,” Mrs. Townend explained. “People really want to connect and letterboxing is a way of doing it that is non-threatening. It gives someone the option to respond if they want to. I really encourage people to take a step out of their comfort zone, because God will reward in an amazing way.”
She continued, “The takeaway for me is that if we show somebody we care, they will respond positively. It’s because there is a need. Sometimes we letterbox randomly, or push our agendas onto people rather than figuring out how we can meet the needs of our neighbors. I hope other people will do this, too,” encouraged Mrs. Townend. “People need and want support during this time, and you can help.”
GLOW tracts are available from your local conference office or Adventist Book Center, while supplies last.
This article was originally published on the website of Adventist Record