Upcoming Solar Eclipse Gives Churches ‘Avenue to Reach People with the Good News of Jesus Christ’

Eclipse chasers are heading to Texas this spring to watch the moon completely block the sun for nearly five minutes. It’s a phenomenon that one former scientist and Christian says is an opportunity ripe for evangelism.

A total solar eclipse is expected to take place on April 8 and the path of totality – the path where the moon’s disk completely blocks the sun – will have millions flocking to the Lone Star State to experience the rare sight.

According to Forbes, anywhere from 270,000 to 1 million eclipse-chasing visitors from around the globe will join Texas’ 13 million hill country residents.

“During totality, which here in Kerrville is going to be 4 minutes and 26 seconds at my house, the sky is going to be so dark, like night,” Jeff Stone, an eclipse enthusiast, known as the “eclipse guy”, and former NASA employee told Baptist Press.

“You’ll be able to see stars. Granted, you won’t see all the stars that you normally do, but you’ll be able to see the bright stars. And, in the case of this one.… You’ll also be able to see all the naked-eye planets, and I think that is going to be crazy cool,” he added. 

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Stone once traveled to Mexico to witness seven minutes of a total eclipse and in 2017, he traveled to Missouri to experience two minutes of it. 

He and his wife will be hosting eclipse enthusiasts at their home from as far away as Sweden on April 8.

And they are not the only ones preparing. 

Coryell Community Church in Gatesville, TX will be hosting a watch party that will include live music, games, food, and worship.

“God is going to show us His power again,” Stone said. 

Stone, who attends Trinity Baptist Kerrville, likens the effects of watching an eclipse to what it must have been like when darkness cloaked the earth during Jesus’ crucifixion.

To have skies dark enough to see stars in daytime hours during totality, “is still blowing my mind to even think about it” Stone said.

The Bible also has more to say about celestial events in general, beyond solar eclipses. The scriptures talk about signs in the heavens quite a few times, especially related to the moon and sun. 

Jesus says in Luke 21:25-28, “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near.” 

Psalms 19:1 says more broadly, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

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“A total eclipse is much more spectacular. A total eclipse is unbelievable,” Stone said. 

He adds that as millions flock to the area, churches can prepare to share the Gospel.

Warren Gasaway, Evangelism + Church Health and College + Young Leaders team leader at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, writes that Arkansas will see up to 1.5 million visitors for the eclipse.

“Pray for the Lord to move in powerful ways through His creation. God is faithful to reveal and draw people to Himself. Let’s ask Him to do that as 1.5 million people make their way to Arkansas looking for the eclipse but ultimately encountering the Savior,” he wrote. 

“There is no doubt that the Church can use the solar eclipse as an avenue to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ,” Gasaway added. 

READ  When We See the Face of God: Why the 2017 Solar Eclipse Was a God-Shaped Shadow of Eternity