The busiest time in the life of the United Christian Ashram Ministry is the end of June through Mid-August, as a majority of the Christian Ashrams in North America meet during this time. I was scheduled to serve as the evangelist for the Kansas and the Texas Christian Ashrams this summer. Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, these Ashrams were canceled for in-person gatherings and moved to online platforms.
During this time of transitioning, I was also approached to assist the director of the British Columbia Christian Ashram to plan a North American Christian Ashram in hopes of gathering other Christian Ashram communities together for fellowship, teaching, and prayer.
I am excited to report the success of these online gatherings. The Redwood Christian Ashram led out with a week-long event during the week their Ashram would have normally met. A week later, the North American Christian Ashram, the Texas Christian Ashram, and the Kansas Christian Ashram gathered via Zoom, YouTube, and Facebook. I was blessed to participate in a variety of roles at each of these gatherings. We heard testimonies of people being strengthened in faith, transformed in spirit, and renewed to face new days. The sense of community and fellowship formed even though we were not in-person with one another is a testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit to speak across the miles and unite our hearts with one another and with God. We look forward to being in-person for next year’s Christian Ashrams, while providing online opportunities for those who cannot travel.
In Romans 8:28 we read, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” God is bringing good out of the present pandemic situation. I am encouraged to leave the negativity and concern to bask in God’s presence to know my God can work good out of this time of frustration, uncertainty, and division. If God can work through technology and media to join our lives together, God can make a way through our present condition. I give God praise for this perspective reiterated in my life through these Christian Ashrams.