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For Immediate Release <\/strong><\/p>\n PRESS\u00a0CONTACT:\u00a0<\/strong>Gregg Wooding, Cell: 972-567-7660, gregg@iampronline.com<\/p>\n Best-Selling Author Josh McDowell Forewarns Church: <\/strong>\u2018Exploding Loneliness and Porn Addiction\u2019 Issues Imminent from Covid-19 \u2018Isolation\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n PLANO, Tex., April 20, 2020 <\/strong>\u2014 As U.S. coronavirus cases show signs of plateauing, a renown Christian apologist urges the church to prepare for an avalanche of new challenges.<\/p>\n Last week following federal and state government discussions about plans to re-open parts of the nation in May, best-selling author Josh McDowell<\/strong> released online an outline\u2014titled What Comes Next<\/em><\/a>\u2014about challenges the church, para-church organizations and individuals will likely face in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis. He has compiled more than 1,000 hours of church research over 55 years.<\/p>\n Social distancing, quarantines and lockdowns\u2014government tactics enacted to help flatten the curve against the novel coronavirus\u2014are having an adverse effect on mental and emotional health in the church.<\/p>\n \u201cSince before the pandemic, pornography addiction and loneliness were the top issues facing the church, and now they are exploding,\u201d McDowell said. \u201cIsolation caused by the COVID-19 lockdown has only exacerbated loneliness, pornography, anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems.\u201d<\/p>\n As the Covid-19 death toll surmounts 42,000 Americans–more than U.S. soldiers who died in battle in the Korean War–McDowell also said, \u201cThe Church will need to be ready to address issues relating to the goodness of God, and why He would allow such devastation.\u201d<\/p>\n In recent weeks, McDowell has correlated the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak to his extensive 55-page research paper, titled Ten Challenges Facing the Church<\/em><\/a> that outlines crucial challenges believers must address before moving forward in their relationship with Christ over the next five years.<\/p>\n \u201cOur global society has created a complex and destructive scenario and environment that all Christians face in their everyday life including within the church in every culture of the world,\u201d explained McDowell.<\/p>\n McDowell concluded that in the wake of the Covid19 crisis there will be greater interest in spiritual things–but not necessarily in the church.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring this crisis and in all circumstances, we remain committed to pointing others to the hope found in Jesus. That\u2019s our calling and privilege as believers, and we must make every effort to offer others hope that only He can provide.\u201d<\/p>\n