A Kelowna church congregation will continue to worship together, despite receiving a ticket from police.

Earlier the Capital B次元官网网址 reported that Harvest Ministries International in Kelowna was issued a $2,300 ticket for violating COVID-19 public health orders, for the second time.

Mounties visited the church twice, once on Dec. 6, taking an educational approach, and again on Dec. 19, when they issued a ticket to the ministry representative.

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Senior staff member and pastor, Heather Lucier, who confirmed she received the ticket from RCMP on Dec. 19, said it was expected, and changes nothing.

She explained their non-denominational 100-person congregation gathers two nights a week, split into two 50-person, socially-distanced groups.

Since the pandemic began, Lucier said they havenB次元官网网址檛 stopped gathering.

B次元官网网址淭ruth of the matter is, we havenB次元官网网址檛 stopped. Because we believe itB次元官网网址檚 our constitutional right to do so.

B次元官网网址淲e have let our people know that biblically, the bible says donB次元官网网址檛 neglect gathering together. ThatB次元官网网址檚 the high law that we follow. And if thereB次元官网网址檚 an issueB次元官网网址� if we have to choose, weB次元官网网址檙e choosing biblical law.B次元官网网址�

Harvest Ministry has been around for about 18 years, and in Kelowna, since 2018. Lucier said the church is just one part of a global humanitarian effort.

She said if bars and restaurants can be open, so should they be allowed to welcome people in, adding the church should be considered an essential service.

B次元官网网址淪uicide rates are going up, depression rates are going up, and people are looking to the church. And itB次元官网网址檚 time for the church to make a stand. And so we are making a stand,B次元官网网址� Lucier said.

She explained theyB次元官网网址檙e not protesting for the sake of protesting.

B次元官网网址淭his is what weB次元官网网址檝e done, this is what we always will do. So weB次元官网网址檙e just continuing on. WeB次元官网网址檙e just doing what weB次元官网网址檙e called to do, as pastors and leaders. WeB次元官网网址檙e having our church open.B次元官网网址�

The Kelowna RCMP called LucierB次元官网网址檚 statements B次元官网网址渧ery disappointing,B次元官网网址� adding officers will continue to actively investigate and take necessary enforcement action on reports of non-compliance with the provincial health orders.

Lucier confirmed Jan. 7 that following the ticket, the church has consulted with a lawyer, and plans on fighting it in court. She said a date has not yet been set for a court date, and expects to know more in the coming months.

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Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com

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