Hillsborough County Council just met and voted to reverse its order from law last Friday. At the recommendation of County Attorney Beck, the council voted to recognize churches as “essential.” Mayor Castor wanted to impose the 10 person and six-foot social distancing restriction on churches, but the council voted against her recommendation at the advice of counsel. Any future guidance the county may issue will be recommendations and not enforceable.

Boys adventure movement Trail Life USA (www.TrailLifeUSA.com) today announced its first-ever “National Backyard Campout” — encouraging families to “make memories” during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Church of God Publications/Pathway Press is offering alternative methods and techniques to encourage giving at the local church.

Living conditions for Christians and other religious minorities worldwide are rapidly worsening due to the Coronavirus outbreak, says Open Doors USA, an organization working with persecuted Christians in more than 60 countries.

On Tuesday, March 31, CDF Capital offered in excess of $5.25 million in relief to more than 150 churches across the United States. With over $550 million in loans, every network church with a loan in good standing is eligible to receive payment deferrals in the form of six months interest-only or six months of payments reduced by 33%.

The following is submitted by Art Rhodes, president and CEO of the Church of God Benefits Board, as a follow up to an earlier article concerning the availability and process of SBA loans for local churches:

Professor and Harvard graduate William Jeynes is organizing a National Day of Repentance for Easter, Sunday, April 12th. He is contacting governors to announce the proclamation for their states, and religious leaders to make the proclamation for their houses of worship and denominations.

With coronavirus shutting government schools, millions of parents have a historic opportunity to try homeschooling and non-government alternatives, declared leaders with the new movement “Public School Exit.”

From Sunday school classes to board meetings, “Zoom” calls seem to have become the tool of choice for the Church of God to stay connected in this era of social distancing to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. The International Offices leadership is utilizing it and other technology to conduct much of the business of the Church.