Allan Beeber crouches low in the back aisle of Radio Shack, examining night-light bulbs. He needs a new one due to a recent practice: reading the Bible at three in the morning while lying next to his sleeping son--an autistic 8-year-old.

"Daniel needs me to sleep next to him," says Allan, director of LINC-Net, Campus Crusade for Christ's coordination group for Internet strategy. "Ironically, dealing with an autistic son has somewhat prepared me to deal with the year-2000 computer issue. God has not healed Daniel yet, but God is still good. That has prepared me to speak to the issue of where Christians need to put their hope."

Where do we need to place our hope when cruising the information superhighway toward the (hairpin?) turn of the century? Will Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Al Gore or Alan Greenspan spin out judicious answers? And just what is the problem, precisely?

During the burgeoning days of the computer boom, when mainframe computers took up some heavy real estate and computer memory was costly, programmers tried to save as much space as possible on those early punch cards (which typically held no more than 80 characters). One way of doing that: crunching a four-digit year (1971 for example) to two digits (71). This saved space, and even though the programmers had the foresight to envision problems in the new millennium, hardly any thought their programs would still be in use 30 years down the road.

"I am guilty . . ." said Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board and one-time computer programmer. It "never entered our minds that those programs would still be functioning today."¹

As we face a new year that some computers, software and embedded electronic chips will assume to be "1900," there is no telling what might happen in the first hours and days of the next century. The problem is simple to grasp and easy to remedy. Just rewrite software code, expanding two-digit year dates to four digits. Simple in theory, yes, but massive in scope. Experts disagree as to the impact the problem will have on society. Some see minor inconveniences while others see global catastrophes. The former tend to call the problem a "bug" and the latter a "bomb."

Though an engineering background and a doctorate in polymer science give Allan Beeber a leg up ("I understand a lot of this stuff"), he humbly admits that nobody knows how great the effect will be. Yet he's quick to add: "Regardless of the problems we may experience, God's character has not changed." And Allan knows a lot about depending on God's character, even in darkness.

"We've had to think through who God is in light of unanswered prayer and difficult situations," he says, referring to the difficulties he and his wife, Tricia, have experienced with Daniel's autism.

Allan believes God takes care of His children, no matter the circumstances. As Hebrews 13:5 proclaims: "He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed."

The word "fear," in fact, appears almost 400 times in the King James Bible. In 103 instances, the word refers to "fearing not" and in 63 instances the word refers to "fearing God." As the saying goes, "Fear God, fear sin and then, fear nothing."

"I don't think the world is going to come to an end," says Steve Ronk, director of computer services at Campus Crusade for Christ's world headquarters in Orlando, FL. He continues, in an affable Tennessee accent, adding: "I can't predict what God is going to do. However, I believe God reigns and is going to work in and through this." In his leadership role, Steve's responsibility is to see that Campus Crusade's computer system is ready for January 1, 2000.

"Decisions were made a number of years ago to position us where we are well ahead of the problem," he says, alluding to his department's decision to "right-size" from a large IBM mainframe system to a micro-computer system for tracking personnel and financial information. Both the new system and its software are "Y2K compliant," and the changeover is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 1999. "When you talk about mission-critical systems, we are well ahead of the game," Steve says.

Steve refers to the two types of people publicly expounding on the Y2K conundrum as "roosters" and "owls." The roosters sound the alarm, often simultaneously trumpeting gloom and doom. The owls offer measured interpretations more conservative in outlook. "I'm an owl," he says, "but both birds have real value. It's the roosters that are waking people up and causing them to listen."

Whatever Y2K will bring our way, the Christian is called not to fear, but to trust in a sovereign God. And as we trust we can also prepare to serve Him in unique ways.

"I view this as an incredible opportunity for evangelism," says Allan with contagious alacrity. "This is going to be the felt need of 1999. People are going to be concerned, and they should be, to a limited extent. As they see the potential for their world to be shaken, we can say, 'Look, you can build your house on sand or you can build it on the Rock.'"

The foundation of most homes provides a sure anchor, especially in times of stress. When a strong wind blows, people see how well the walls are fastened to the slab. During 1999, and especially as we approach 2000, the looming windstorm of Y2K may well cause non-Christians to think seriously about their foundation, perhaps for the first time. But regardless of whether a gale or a breeze blows in the end, believers will be under increased scrutiny. What will others see?

"We need to make sure Christians don't get the heebie-jeebies and start shaking all over," says Allan. "The nonbeliever will look at us and say, 'A lot of good your faith is doing you.'"

How, then, can the gospel be applied to growing Y2K anxiety? How might we present Christ as, in the words of T.S. Eliot: "The still centre of a spinning world?"

A simple yet timely idea would be to host a neighborhood Bible study on the attributes of God, which could minister to both new, immature Christians and unbelievers alike. Highlight God's sovereignty (that He is in complete control of both world events and the lives of His children), then move to a presentation of the gospel.

Your local church may in fact be the hidden key. Since it is quite possible that local utilities, food providers and transportation will be unreliable for a few days, or even a couple of weeks or more, a local church can enter its "finest hour" if prepared to meet the needs of both congregation and community. However, a George Barna/CBN poll last year revealed that less than 25 percent of pastors had alerted their congregations or had started preparing for ministry opportunities.

Begin by approaching your pastor or church leadership to see if there are any plans in place regarding Y2K. Educate yourself (see resources at end of article) and volunteer to head a church task force. Create a list that pools the resources of the various members of your congregation (generators, emergency communications, food supply, etc.,). This is not a time for believers to hide and run for the hills. There will be many hurting, fearful people who need the love and peace of Jesus Christ. We are called to lend a hand of healing and of hope.

"This is a great time to be alive if one knows the Savior," says Allan Beeber. "He is Lord of lords and King of kings. He is totally in control. We need not fear, whatever the future holds."

1. Said at a hearing of the House Budget Committee, March 4, 1998, and broadcast on C-SPAN.

Steven Grezlak, a former Worldwide Challenge staff writer, currently writes for WorldChangers Radio. He and his wife, Wendi, together with their son, Noah, live in Orlando, FL.