By Rhoda Gayle – GODTV.com

[GODTV.com] AND Campaign and other Christian organizations have created the Churches Helping Churches Challenge to create a Coronavirus At-Risk Church Relief Fund. The relief fundraising aims to provide $3,000 grants to small churches across America that are at risk of closing due to financial loss during the pandemic.

The challenge started in March and within just a month, it raised $431,000 from just 400 donors. The challenge will continue throughout May as “need far outweighs the available funds, as just over 1,200 churches have applied for assistance.”

“I have been blown away by the generosity of the Body of Christ. But I have been overwhelmed and saddened by the great need that exists with many churches and communities across America,” president of the AND Campaign Justin Giboney said. “We serve a God that is the hope of the world. And He is moving and ministering through many of these small churches. Now is the time for us to come together to bear each other’s burdens.”

A partner organization, Pulse, hosted an online benefit simulcast that was broadcast on May 15th. Lauren Daigle, Lecrae, TobyMac, and other artists performed for the simulcast.

“Pulse has always existed to work in, through, and for the local church. And now, in the midst of this pandemic, our local churches are suffering. Especially those in urban and immigrant communities,” founder of Pulse and visionary for Together 2020 Nick Hall said. “It’s time for us all to come together to meet this urgent need.”