By Julie Walters
National WMU
In a creative effort to minister during the COVID-19 pandemic, Iron Stream Media, WMU and the WMU Foundation are offering curated boxes of books to send to those isolated in senior care facilities, hospice centers, hospitals and seniors sheltering in place.
The joint initiative, Honor 6:2, is based on Eph. 6:2: “Honor your father and mother.”
According to John Herring, CEO of Iron Stream Media, the seed was planted when one of Iron Stream’s subcontractors asked if she could order a couple of boxes of books to send to local elder care facilities.
Showing honor to parents and grandparents
“I thought it was a great idea,” Herring reflected, “and the thought came into my heart early the next morning that we could expand on her idea. As I was praying, I was thinking of what it must be like to have read everything on the shelf and longing for a new book to read.
“We have a warehouse full of books that need to be read,” he continued. “Many of our parents and grandparents have more time on their hands than ever. Visitations may not be possible, but we can gift inspiring books to them to help them grow in their spiritual walk with the Lord. Gifting a box of books is a way of showing deserved honor to our parents and grandparents. I pray each recipient will receive joy from knowing that we remember and honor them and enjoy having a new book to read.”
Categories of books
Each box contains titles from three categories — Bible studies, Christian living and Christian fiction — as well as a copy of Your Pain is Changing You, a book written by Dr. David Crosby, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church, New Orleans. It was written predominantly out of his painful experience from Hurricane Katrina.
All curated books are new and free. The only associated costs are for shipping and handling. To gift a box, go to honor62.com, select a box size, indicate where to ship it, and provide payment information. Boxes of books are available in four sizes: mini (4 to 6 titles), small (7 to 11 titles), medium (11 to 17 titles) or large (more than 20 titles). There is also an option to make a donation above the box price to help support the Honor 6:2 ministry, if desired, through the WMU Vision Fund.
Showing God’s love
“We hope the hearts of those sheltering in place and isolated will be touched to know they are being thought about even in the midst of the chaos caused by COVID-19,” said Sandy Wisdom-Martin, executive director of national WMU. “We want them to be assured God loves them and cares about them, and we pray they are encouraged as God strengthens their faith and enables them to overcome challenges they may face.
“Everything we do is to share the good news of Jesus Christ,” she continued. “We pray in each circumstance, God will be honored.”
David George, president of the WMU Foundation, added, “We are always honored and privileged to work with WMU and her ministry partners. This effort to honor our elder loved ones during the novel coronavirus pandemic is a perfect example of one of the many ways we can partner together and help others.”
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