The Book of Acts begins with Peter and the Apostles providing basic care for widows in the Jerusalem church. It ends with Paul returning to Jerusalem, bringing contributions from the newer gentile churches for what might be called famine relief.

The Church today faces a similar crisis. It’s not as much a famine of food as it is a famine of freedom and tolerance. Christians in India, for example, are an oppressed minority. As the nation reels from a new wave of Covid-19, believers often end up at the back of the line for medical supplies like ventilators.

The suffering of Christ’s Church comes in various forms. Certainly there is persecution in India and around the world. There’s also the constant suffering of Christians as a result of the fallen world. We must pray for our brothers and sisters and, like Christians have throughout history, do whatever we can to help.