Recent years have seen many artists struggle financially with live concerts being the bulk of many artists' income. COVID-19 has made an already difficult career choice even more so.

For Winnipeg based musician, Steve Bell, music is not only a career but a calling. For many years, he has created worshipful experiences and written music that speaks to the internal longings of the heart.

Like many artists, his presence has moved online. Facebook live concerts from "The Vault" are becoming a regular occurrence.

"People are overloaded by online content, but at the same time, they're looking for connection. Music can be comfort food. It is a way of going back and getting the feelings you had when things weren't as stressful as they are now. It gives you a little respite from the stress of these days. The nice thing about the internet is that we put it out, and you can access it when you need it."

As a minister, Bell sees this time as a refining moment for the Church.

"If you look at the scriptures, most of them are written in times of disorientation and crisis. They're from times of exile, fear, uncertainty, and poverty. We know intellectually that we're vulnerable, but our technology and wealth has allowed us to imagine that we're not. We're in a unique time where we can now understand the bible from a position of poverty and need. I think the opportunity is to read them as they're written, which could be a powerful correction to western Christianity which has often been derailed by privilege, wealth and consumerism."

Bell uses his music and his reach to advocate for causes of justice and reconciliation. But, with many of those issues currently eclipsed by COVID-19, he hopes that people will develop more empathy for the plight suffered by others.

"Situations like this help us to say, 'oh, that's what hopelessness feels like, that's what powerlessness feels like.' This could be really great for restoring empathy for those who have been suffering for years. COVID shows us that we are profoundly connected, even with the environment. There's theological backing for that, its called Triune Faith. God is a being of flourishing of the other, this is who God is and we are made in the image of God."

Bell is also offering free online resources for churches and leaders. The Storehouse, accessible on his website, offers resources for services and Bible studies.

"I started getting tons of emails from pastors saying, hey we're trying to get content for our online church services, can we use one of your videos or one of your songs? I said, of course, and then I thought, lets just put them up in a form where people can go get them."

His own touring and concert performances have been put on hold. However, he says that forced rest and personal difficulty have given him a new perspective on prayer.

 "Prayer has changed for me. There is an interiority that is coming alive in me that hasn't been there for a while. It is absolutely false to say we can't gather. Of course we can! When we pray, we gather in Christ."

And, while not denying the reality of hardship, Bell says that this time of forced rest reminds us to trust God.

"We've all been sabbathed in a way, and rather than fight it, we should take a moment and consider the provision of God and that it is a gift, not a given. There is an incredible opportunity here for the restoration of the Church, of witness, faith, prayer, and community where they have been destroyed by wealth, privilege, and power."