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

Earlier the Capital News 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.

READ MORE: Second large gathering at Kelowna church results in ticket

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 haven香蕉视频直播檛 stopped gathering.

香蕉视频直播淭ruth of the matter is, we haven香蕉视频直播檛 stopped. Because we believe it香蕉视频直播檚 our constitutional right to do so.

香蕉视频直播淲e have let our people know that biblically, the bible says don香蕉视频直播檛 neglect gathering together. That香蕉视频直播檚 the high law that we follow. And if there香蕉视频直播檚 an issue香蕉视频直播� if we have to choose, we香蕉视频直播檙e choosing biblical law.香蕉视频直播�

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.

香蕉视频直播淪uicide rates are going up, depression rates are going up, and people are looking to the church. And it香蕉视频直播檚 time for the church to make a stand. And so we are making a stand,香蕉视频直播� Lucier said.

She explained they香蕉视频直播檙e not protesting for the sake of protesting.

香蕉视频直播淭his is what we香蕉视频直播檝e done, this is what we always will do. So we香蕉视频直播檙e just continuing on. We香蕉视频直播檙e just doing what we香蕉视频直播檙e called to do, as pastors and leaders. We香蕉视频直播檙e having our church open.香蕉视频直播�

The Kelowna RCMP called Lucier香蕉视频直播檚 statements 香蕉视频直播渧ery disappointing,香蕉视频直播� adding officers will continue to actively investigate and take necessary enforcement action on reports of non-compliance with the provincial health orders.

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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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