My work as the new Dean of Trinity Florida started while on quarantine. The usual “getting to know you” and “finding out what’s going on” gatherings all began via Zoom meetings, Google Hangout conversations, and a river of emails. Our students, professors and staff adapted very quickly to our new environment and inspire me. They, along with church members and leaders, remind me of the apostle Paul, an adaptable person who faced untold adversity in ministry. Often locked down in prison and unable to be present, he utilized every means possible to carry out the mission, including the technology of letters carried by messengers, which brought him close to the churches. We, too, serve while quarantined.
Dr. Gene L. Green, Dean, Trinity International University – Florida
Hope Women’s Centers has been busy on the frontline (with protective measures in place, including PPE), serving women at-risk for abortion throughout the pandemic. We are providing our patients with free and confidential services: pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, options counseling, and with permission sharing the love of Jesus and praying for those in need.
Ariana Reid, Executive Director, Hope Women’s Centers
The quarantine challenged me to become creative and to learn new ways to carry on my practice remotely as well as attend otherwise face-to-face group meetings via Zoom and podcast. While cumbersome at first, I soon became grateful when it became apparent that these challenges created new opportunities to worship, attend Bible study and share the Gospel in ways that will remain with us long after the pandemic subsides.
William “Bill” C. Davell, Director, Tripp Scott Attorneys at Law
I served as President of Palm Beach Atlantic University, where the health of our student, faculty and staff comes first, classes were successfully being conducted online and the relationship energy the University is so well known for has continued.
William M. B. Fleming, Jr., President, Palm Beach Atlantic University
I’ve spent the majority of my quarantine time trying to convince people that buying a yacht is a really important thing to do in the midst of Covid-19 and a plummeting stock market. It’s going great.
Bob Denison, President, Denison Yachting
While in quarantine, I have been spending my time making sure that our constituents are informed and aware of what the latest rules are from the Governor’s executive orders, as well as what the local county and city emergency orders mean to them and their businesses. I have reduced my travel radius to a half mile radius by spending virtually all of my time at my home office and my district office. It has been a great opportunity to reach out to people digitally through webinars and email, but I am looking forward to seeing the people I serve face to face (from at least six feet away, of course!)
Chip LaMarca, State Representative, Florida House District 93
During the quarantine, I got to spend some great time with my wife, Jennifer, and our adult children. We ate too much; watched “the Chosen” and other movies/TV series, celebrated the birth of our first grandchild and enjoyed a quieter pace away from my workaday world. We had a blast!
H. Collins Forman, Jr., P.A.
What I’ve done during this quarantine was look upward, inward, outward and forward. Like so many, I lost a dear friend to this virus, so I look upward because my help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121:2), and I give thanks every day for life and health. Inward, to renew, refresh and grow, so I’m prepared to share even more as we enter the new normal – there will be so many with extraordinary needs. Outward to help family, friends, clients, and others who so desperately need hope. And finally, forward because there’s a bright future ahead of us.
Craig Huston, Huston Consulting Group, LLC
Paul wrote four amazing epistles while he was imprisoned and Shakespeare wrote three of his plays (Macbeth, King Lear and Anthony and Cleopatra) while he was sequestered during the Bubonic Plague in 1592. They inspired me not to waste this time, but to consecrate it by camping out a lot with Jesus and concentrating on finishing my book – concerning the twenty year, world-wide quest the Lord took me on to find Him. Additionally, I’ve been calling a lot of people to encourage, witness and pray as well as discipling an Iranian grad student who just received the Lord!
Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus Volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
I have been reaching out to family and friends I have not spoken with in a long time. I have also had the honor of participating in Compassion Calls to the contact lists of a couple of ministry clients I represent, to share love and check on potential need. One such call to a supporter of South Florida Bible College unexpectedly blessed my socks off and was a powerful gift to my spirit in this time of uncertainty!
Dolores King-St. George, President, King Communications and GraceNet Media
Since Banyan Air Service is an “essential business,” although business is off 80%, my responsibility is to be at work every day to make decisions and new procedures alongside our teammates that will ensure their safety and protect the customers… to also make tough decisions with regards to cutting hours and salaries as we apply for payroll grants offered by the government. As business owners we must to do our part and pray for the Lord to see our companies through the storm for His glory.
Don Campion, President, Banyan Air Service
Going on walks in our neighborhood. Playing basketball with my boys in the front yard. Eating family dinners together again. Reaching out to city leaders as we serve the city. Preaching to an empty sanctuary. Celebrating my 50th with a surprise drive-by birthday parade. Not all is well in the world, but my soul is well.
Doug Sauder, Pastor, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale
During this quarantine period I took note of the new variety of ways in which I could both love the Lord and serve the Lord. We decided to go to our neighbors that we’ve never met and offer all the way from toilet paper to praying with some of them. I also took the opportunity to love my wife by cooking for her, and she said I’m a good cook.
Fidel Gomez, Pastor, Calvary Chapel Hollywood
I have been blessed to remain healthy, safe and busy during my quarantine. I am a part of a new worshiping group called Wesleyan Fellowship Group. We hope to be a part of a traditional Methodist movement forming this next year. Between that and Hope South Florida, I find myself very busy at home!
Fred Scarbrough, DVM, Founder, Scarbrough Animal Hospital and Hope South Florida
I was able to spend a lot of time with family and realizing how much we take for granted. We enjoyed worshipping God through our online services, and this will be a time we never forget.
George R. Moraitis, Jr., Moraitis, Cofar, Karney, Moraitis & Quailey
For the first half of the quarantine, I spent a great deal of time juggling video chats, phone calls, conference calls and every other communication platform known to God and man. Now, I am finding greater balance as we know this is going to be a marathon, not a sprint.
Germaine Smith Baugh, Ed.D, President and CEO, Urban League of Broward County
What did you do while on quarantine? Hide out in Scripture!
The Most Memorable Easter Ever!
We held an Easter Service in our backyard with our 3 next door neighbors – two autistic young men and their mom. I shared the Easter story, entitled “The 3 E’s Easter Story:”
- The Execution – Matthew 27:1
- The Empty Tomb – John 20:1-2
- The Eyewitnesses – John 20:18,21
My two young neighbors’ names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life on Easter Sunday. Now we meet every day at the fence to read God’s Word, praying for revival. Sometimes the greatest harvest is in your own backyard.
“Let salvation spring up, Let righteousness grow with it.” –Isaiah 45:8
Gita Santangelo, Community Prayer Partner
Best Roofing is fortunate to be considered an essential business, so we are able to continue working during this time. But, the foremost part of the quarantine is spending more time in my home and neighborhood getting to know my neighbors and wife better and realizing the simple things in life are what matters.
Gregg Wallick, President, Best Roofing, Inc.
The simple things matter most! Investing in our family is the most valuable gift we have. This uninterrupted time together, building our relationships has proved to be priceless!! Though we all have our separate at-home offices, we’re only a few feet away from each other. When in Zoom meetings our doors are closed & we respect the other’s privacy.
Cooking & baking together more often is great fun!! Walking, yard work, and watching and listening to local musicians on line is a good way to support them. Last but not least, we enjoy good movies and shows helping us unwind and bring a little normalcy back.
This is a special time I believe God has given us to reset, revive and rest. We need to hang on to the love of our families, our Faith and the simple things.
Jeremiah 29:11
Helen Wayner P.A., Century 21 Hansen Realty
1) I embraced reading Psalms instead of Facebook. Very healthy.
2) I mastered the camera angle on my computer so that Zoom video conferences make me look 15 years younger and 25 lbs lighter. Very flattering.
Stay on the offense. Jesus has our backs!
“JT” James Taylor, Managing Director, Automotive, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey
Since I can’t visit my mom in assisted living, I ask her to say a number and I read her the Psalm corresponding with that number. She’s less and less communicative, but after each phrase, she quietly says, “That’s beautiful.”
Karen Granger, Community Relations Director, Palm Beach County, 4KIDS Palm Beach
Personally, my family has been riding bikes together at the end of the day, enjoying the sunset and counting our blessings in God’s creation. At 4KIDS, we transitioned to working remotely, and I am so proud of the innovation and creativity that we have delivered to our families and the community. We’ve been providing video content on parenting tips, ways to pray and how to connect with us to continue to advocate for the children suffering from abuse and neglect.
Kevin Enders, President, 4KIDS of South Florida
I’ve been cooking for my family. They actually want to eat 3 times a day.
I’ve also been creating homeschool projects for my grandkids. We have built cars and planes, experimented with magnets and painted by throwing paint from a ladder.
I’ve also been writing every day. I committed to writing 15 minutes a day and my project is actually getting done!
I’ve been zooming… work zooming, church zooming, family zooming, prayer zooming, Bible Study zooming, Lifework zooming, friend zooming. school zooming, and the list goes on.
But hanging in my backyard by the firepit at night and waiting for the moon to rise has been
my favorite past time. Somehow the sky seems clearer and the stars a bit brighter. Maybe it’s God’s way of saying, “Keep your eyes on me. I will guide you. The journey may be difficult but it will bring you peace and joy in the end.”
Lisa Tchividjian, Speaker, Author and Director of Operations for Ema South Florida
During quarantine, God placed it on my heart to offer a free online course at the college on How To Study the Bible. I did it “live” on social media for three weeks, and it was extremely helpful for me! Getting back to the basics and what is important – relationships with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and relationships with one another. We need to hear what God is speaking to our hearts, not to other people. Isaiah 40:8-9; “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”
Dr. Mary Drabik, President, South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary
Our home population has more than doubled. We have been enjoying many meals together and, therefore, exercising a lot; sometimes twice a day (out of boredom not discipline). We’ve been playing lots of cards. My wife and I go on a nightly tandem bike ride. Personally, I have enjoyed more quiet time with the Lord and taken care of a couple of small home projects. If this doesn’t let up soon, I may even organize my home office. Thankfully, our clinic is considered essential, so I still get to take care of patients.
Dr. Mike Rozenblum, Genesis Physical Medicine & Chiropractic
These have been days of unprecedented times and a change in our “normal” daily activities. But due to the quarantine there have been some positive opportunities and moments. Both professionally and personally, I have experienced fewer distractions and more quality time. Quality time spent with family, friends, and most importantly God. This slowdown in activities has provided me with an opportunity to adjust priorities and recognize once again that I am in control of so very little. But thankfully we serve a God who knows all and controls all, which is so reassuring in times like these (Philippians 4:6).
Milan Stevanovic, Chief Operating Officer, Bass Underwriters, Inc.
Right before the quarantine I had put my home on the market, and by the grace of God it sold
immediately. So it has been a blessing to my husband and myself to have more time than
usual to pack. In both a global and personal sense, there is major change coming which, while
unsettling in some ways, has the sense of God moving in a fresh new way. Just as it was true
back in Isaiah’s day, it is true now that the Lord is… “doing something brand new,
something unheard of. Even now it sprouts and grows and matures. Don’t you perceive it? I
will make a way in the wilderness and open flowing streams in the desert” (Isaiah 43:18-19).
Oksana Horton, Creative Director, Torch & Trumpet Theatre Company, a subsidiary of Revelation Ministries
I spent my time in quarantine praying daily in my prayer closet and in our church services for those who have been infected with the coronavirus and especially for those who are placed on the ventilators. Also, during these trying times I have been doing pretty much all of the grocery shopping for my family, while observing proper sanitation.
O’Neal Dozier, Pastor, The Worldwide Christian Center
While being quarantined, because my husband has to be careful due to health conditions, I have been completely homebound. I am working from my home office, had time to build closer relationships with my children, grandchildren and husband, read larger passages daily of my Bible and take plenty of walks around my neighborhood. Our daughter buys our groceries, so all in all, for us, it has not been that unpleasant. I do miss the contact with others, but ZOOM, Google Hangouts, Skype and other programs keep me fairly connected and allow me to pray and communicate with many others.
Patricia Colangelo, EdS, Director of Operations, Trinity International University – Florida
In the community spirit of self-isolation, I have been working from my home office with companies that are in severe straits due to shutdown of their operations that put them in jeopardy of staying alive, helping them with certain government packages such as payroll tax deferral and SBA loans for under 500 employees. Thank God, some of them have already been funded and these companies may survive as long as we can open up our world again in the next four weeks.
Ray Monteleone, President, Paladin Global Partners
During this quarantine season I have realized very quickly how little control I have over anything! I recognized earlier on, the need for healthy structure throughout my day. I asked God to help me with extra compassion for the hurting, acceptance for the things that have changed, gratitude to find the good in circumstances, and especially a heart to hear His voice more clearly (AGAIN)!
I’m a bit ashamed it has taken (for me) a worldwide pandemic to slow down my pace before the Lord!
Coach Rick Andreassen, Founder/President, SAINTS International Sports Ministry & SAINTS Homeshool P.E.
I guess “sheltering in place” looks different to everyone, but here is a list of what we did and didn’t do; Law firm staff is working remotely, eating all meals at home, watching less TV because no live sports, reading more books, spending more time in the Word, longer and better conversation with my spouse, no physical meetings but lots of Zoom meetings, ordering groceries on line and having them delivered, wearing a mask and gloves when visiting our grandchildren and keeping our social distance from them because their mom is pregnant with their/our third (not being able to hug your grandchild is the worst) going to the Lake House more and not playing any golf!
Romney C. Rogers, Managing Partner, Rogers, Morris & Ziegler LLP
I pretty much acted like my dogs: walked around the house all day looking for stuff to chew up, heard strangers yell “NO!!” if I got too close to them, and got really excited about car rides until I found out we were going to the vet.
Samuel Lamerson, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies, Knox Theological Seminary
This coronavirus shutdown has forced our ministry into a level of communication and coordination that has been a total blessing and something we will continue. We have hosted global prayer and communion services with over 1,000 people from all around the world, and a webinar that was viewed by over 36,000 people. Our global network of leaders is in closer contact than ever praying for each other’s country, for Israel, and seeking God. There is much good that will come from this difficult time.
Susan Michael, U.S. Director, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem
Well, this one’s easy: I worked (though mostly in shorts and a baseball hat) and spent time with the family playing with our new dog, Luna (we’re Harry Potter fans).
Tom Hendrikse, Senior Pastor, Rio Vista Community Church
I prayed and continue to pray for the children in foster care. I prayed and continue to pray for children who are at risk of abuse due to the stress on their parents – and nobody see them. I prayed and continue to pray for foster and adoptive parents who are going the extra mile for the children in their homes. I prayed and continue to pray for more families to run into the mess and live out James 1:27 and become foster parents!
Thomas L. Lukasik, Vice President — Community Engagement, 4KIDS of South Florida
I learned from the quarantine how I have taken for granted the many blessings of better days. I learned to pray that in the wake of so much suffering the glory of a revival might be granted to the whole world.
Dr. Warren Gage, President, The Alexandrian Forum
I organized a Protest at Planned Parenthood in Boca Raton on March 21st, where we saved a precious baby and I am in touch with the mother-to-be, 19 year old Jessica (who is keeping the baby, is going back to school and is going to church every Sunday now)!! I focused the entire 5 weeks of this pandemic on saving unborn babies.
Willy Guardiola, Christian on a Mission, PBC Right to Life League
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