COVID-19 came unexpected, affecting every aspect of the society in the whole world—health, economy, transportation, education, and many others, including the families and ministries of our church workers in the Philippines. There are many ministry leaders, in pioneering work or not, who are very dependent on what God gives them through the church tithing and offering. This pandemic has caused a great challenge in providing the daily needs of their families and the ministries. Seeing this situation, GraceDrive had prayerfully planned to be a channel of help by giving sacks of rice, a considerably staple need for Filipinos. It was also an aim to support local farmers by purchasing the rice from them.

On April 26, 2020 (April 27 in the Philippines), the first-ever live benefit concert titled “Portrait of Grace” was aired on Facebook. Pastor RJ and Ma’am Phebe Cabugwas, GraceDrive volunteers, sang songs that highlight the testimonies of healing and hope found in Christ alone. Through this, the Lord has graciously touched the hearts of many donors who promptly gave more than $10,000 (about Php 500,000) in just a span of three weeks!

GraceDrive regional teams in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao started distributing the sacks of rice last June to almost 300 ministry leaders in more than 30 different provinces with the help of volunteers and field supports traversing about 2,700 kilometers to visit and pray for the needy fellow workers. Together with the recipients, GraceDrive praises the Lord for the generosity of the donors, volunteers, field supports, and prayer partners—who are also affected by this pandemic but still have taken the privilege to extend Christ’s love to others.

To God be all the glory!