Police Close and Put A Fence Around a Canadian Church Over COVID Violations

This church is about 30 minutes from us. It is the church that had its pastor jailed for 5 weeks because he couldn’t agree to bail conditions that violated his conscience (ironically, the consequences for his charges would have merited only fines, not imprisonment). Basically, the church chose not to comply with the unscriptural demands of the health services to limit attendance to 15% capacity (which practically means no physical distancing), and they refuse to enforce masking (because it is a personal health decision). The last few weeks, they have had capacity crowds, with more listening from outside. The police came at dawn and put 3 layers of fencing around the building. Multiple RCMP officers and private security are on site 24 hours to keep anyone approaching the building.

Pray for them - and for us! My church is one of about 20 in Alberta that have (very publicly) stated they are open for all who want to attend - no capacity limits. There are more that think the same, but they’re staying under the radar so far (as we were doing for several months). Our church had 50 visitors on Easter Sunday because we were open (for context, our core group through Covid was 60-80). Some came from churches who wouldn’t let them in the doors without a mask, despite legitimate medical issues. Others are coming because they feel convicted by God to meet together together with his people again, and their churches are fully virtual. We have been reported twice by local snitches, once for our Easter Sunday morning service, and we imminently expect a visit from health inspectors and the RCMP.

It’s unreal, you know. Our pastor talked to us at Bible study about what steps we would be taking when (not if) police came to building. I can’t believe we actually had that conversation in Canada - in North America. As treasurer, I’ve taken steps to ensure continuity of the office operations should we be locked out of the building. Today I moved a batch of extra hymnals offsite so we’ll have them if we lose access. I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m scared every time I go to church on Sunday.

Churches are so split over this issue. Many churches believe GraceLife should be following the government, period. Others, like us, believe that God did not grant the government authority over how the church worships, and we furthermore feel that they have not proven the necessity of these rules that override our charter freedoms of religion, assembly, and association. Every time a Covid case comes to court in Alberta, the charges are dropped by the Crown as soon as they are requested to provide the burden of proof (to prove that the restrictions are warranted by circumstances significant that enough to override our Charter of Rights). Many  congregations are split over this issue. The funny thing is that many unbelievers are standing up in support of the churches for this. They see the larger implications of the government’s actions. Many who haven’t been in church for years say they will visit GraceLife in support!

Have to say that the Reformed churches are putting us to shame here. I don’t agree with their doctrine, but their belief in the sovereignty of God has them leading the charge in standing up against these tyrannies. 

If you want a good source to research more about this case, check out rebelnews.com. You should check out their video from the first protest at the Edmonton Remand Centre in support of Pr. Coates when he was first out in jail. Best. Protest. Ever. Speakers were basically  pastors giving five minute sermons, and we sang hymns. The group you hear a couple times on camera singing really well in harmony is actually our church group.  
 

Edited to add: this guy is a member of GraceLife. He’s been live-streaming a lot from site. https://m.facebook.com/Devin-Davis-101163168761777/

Oh, and Pr. Coates was not put in jail for violating gathering limits. His case won’t go to court until next month. He was arrested for the violation, and should have been released on bail, but the bail conditions demanded that he not preach or hold services at his church, or allow people to attend. How could a pastor agree to that?

Also, thus far, there have been zero outbreaks at GraceLife. Not one case of Covid has been linked to spread at that location.  And they have been holding full, normal services since July.

Thank you so much for the information. We'll be praying for you and all these churches in Canada. I cant imagine what it is like. So sad to see this stuff take place all over the world. Protesting in large groups acceptable...church meeting in large groups... illegal. 

9 hours ago, PastorMatt said:

Protesting in large groups acceptable...church meeting in large groups... illegal. 

You never know... the Toronto police department just issued a warning that it would enforce outdoor gathering limits (at 5 people in that province) even at protests.  

https://www.newstbt.com/post/court-permits-government-to-avoid-producing-dr-hinshaw-s-evidence-on-lockdowns-at-may-3-trial?postId=6079d2664688760015642e8e
 

So if in 13 months, the government does not have shareable scientific evidence to support the lockdowns, then why are there lockdowns? Why are they locking a church? If they cannot support the restriction of Charter freedoms, their health orders are invalid. And yet they stand. I’m about ready to start a revolution right now...   

#verymad

21 minutes ago, Salyan said:

https://www.newstbt.com/post/court-permits-government-to-avoid-producing-dr-hinshaw-s-evidence-on-lockdowns-at-may-3-trial?postId=6079d2664688760015642e8e
 

So if in 13 months, the government does not have shareable scientific evidence to support the lockdowns, then why are there lockdowns? Why are they locking a church? If they cannot support the restriction of Charter freedoms, their health orders are invalid. And yet they stand. I’m about ready to start a revolution right now...   

#verymad

As noted for over a century,  and frequently the last 14 months as well,

the honest < doctors/ believers/ researchers/ scientists/ reporters/ etc including common people not yet brainwashed by false governmental entitites ?

call the lockdowns and maskandates and potshots ridiculous,  simply.

I think in the Bible it is written that God Himself LAUGHS at the designs and plans of the wicked ?

Those who are honest though,  have not seen it helpful nor necessary to start or take part in a revolution.   The powers in power, the money, the governments, and so forth,  have near total control of the military, police, banks, and so forth - so much so that the ones telling the truth are "a voice in the wilderness".

https://www.rebelnews.com/rebel_news_attends_illegal_gracelife_church_service_at_secret_location?utm_campaign=sgr_gracelifeund_4_20_21&utm_medium=email&utm_source=therebel

GraceLife is still meeting in secret at various locations. Today, another pastor in Alberta was arrested for refusing to shut/limit his church (it was a Sabbath service). Churches are currently limited to 15 people. The police didn’t have the guts to arrest him at church – they followed him after the service, pulled them over on the edge of the road and arrested him in the middle of a highway.

An Alberta judge has released an injunction that will allow the police to arrest anyone breaking Covid rules while protesting or otherwise without due process of law. Outside social gatherings are limited to five people, so any protest would be a violation of Covid rules.

The idiots in the Liberal government and media are pushing a universal basic income. Canada is falling into communism so fast…