The worldwide pandemic has brought on us more than a new virus that has not been seen in our lifetimes It has brought on a tool that will be used more and more in the world in the years ahead, according to Bible prophecy. Fear is a powerful tool in the hands of those who wield it. It can lead people to do things they never foresaw or thought they would. Satan is the author of that type fear, and he will use it against God’s people in ongoing attempts to get us to fail. One of the frequent commands of scripture is “Fear Not!” As Christians, how do we identify this fear and not allow it to hold us captive? How do we overcome this type fear? The Bible shows us the way.

Rick Shabi

President, United Church of God

Rick Shabi was ordained an elder in 2000, and relocated to northern Florida in 2004. He attended Ambassador College and graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Business, with a major in Accounting. After enjoying a rewarding career in corporate and local hospital finance and administration, he became a pastor in January 2011. Since then, he and his wife Deborah have served in the Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida, churches. Rick served as the Treasurer for the United Church of God from 2013–2022, and was named President in May 2022.