2020 has been a turbulent year. Between the coronavirus, presidential election and the struggling economy, many people wonder why they should celebrate Thanksgiving Day. To gain more insight, the Sentinel asked a few local pastors to share some reasons that believers can be thankful despite the many challenges we face. The following responses were shared.
“Hi Family, we always have so much to be thankful for, but this season (2020) has magnified our need for expressing it. God’s grace has carried and kept us in the midst of sickness, death and financial crisis. We have had to learn to function without our houses of worship and learn to revive ourselves. “More than ever, we need to realize that we are wonderfully and fearfully made ~ so set your mind and affections on things above. God loves us. Let us love ourselves and one another. Be gracious. Be patient. Be grateful. Find joy and pleasure in the things we usually take for granted; like breathing, freedom and relationships. “Remember, our good days outweigh our bad days. We won’t complain. Happy Thanksgiving!” Apostle Beverly “Bam” Crawford, founder and senior pastor of Bible Enrichment Fellowship International Church, Inglewood, CA.
“With so many obstacles and distractions today, it is easy to lose sight of the blessings we have. Any person that is alive and healthy should be grateful. So many did not make it this far. “For the lack that God kept at bay and the provisions He has made, we should be grateful. Some are in better positions now than eight or nine months ago. God is showing Himself faithful in all He does.” Rev. Dr. Michael Fisher, senior pastor of Greater Zion Church Family, Compton, CA
“Despite this season of pandemics, we stand on Psalm 46 and declare, ‘Grateful to Know a Great God.’ It is with Thanksgiving that we acknowledge God, who is help in the time of trouble. “Our Lord is a Holy God who makes people, places and things holy and our hope for transformation. We are thankful that God is our refuge in the midst of trouble, trials and transition and that God’s strength moving in us sustains us during these times of crisis and conflict.” Rev. Carolyn Baskin-Bell, senior pastor of First AME Church – Santa Monica, president of Fifth District AME Women in Ministry
“With all that is going on, we believers can be thankful for our awesome God who through dangers seen and unseen has kept us, our families, and loved ones who bring us unparalleled joy and our God-given confidence, which causes us to affirm that we will not fret because of evildoers and we will not grow weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we don’t give up.” Rev. James McKnight, senior pastor of Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship, Los Angeles
