NI pastor vows to keep church open despite Covid lockdown

An evangelical pastor in Belfast has vowed to keep his church doors open despite the coronavirus lockdown.
By Mark Rainey
Published 22nd Nov 2020, 15:56 BST
Updated 22nd Nov 2020, 16:19 BST
The Adullam Christian Fellowship church in Belfast's Sandy RowThe Adullam Christian Fellowship church in Belfast's Sandy Row
The Adullam Christian Fellowship church in Belfast's Sandy Row

Pastor Paul Burns of the Adullam Christian Fellowship in Sandy Row said he will continue to “serve the Lord,” as his first duty is not to the state.

The NI Executive announced last week that churches will be included in the two-week lockdown due to begin this Friday.

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Places of worship will only be allowed to open for small weddings and funerals with a maximum of 25 people in attendance.

Pastor Paul Burns . Picture: Brian LittlePastor Paul Burns . Picture: Brian Little
Pastor Paul Burns . Picture: Brian Little

However, Pastor Burns said: “The church is separate to the state. We are a separate entity, therefore, the government has to respect that.”

Speaking to the Premier Christian News website, he added: “We will work with the government, we will work with communities, we will work with government associations. But there comes a time where the church has to say, ‘as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’

“I will be opening because I’m taking the commandment of my Father. And we are doing the right precautions.”

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Pastor Burns also said that closing his church in the run-up to Christmas would demonstrate a lack of faith, and that keeping the doors open is a clear demonstration of belief in the power of Jesus Christ to heal people and heal the land.

Commenting on whether potential coronavirus outbreaks being linked to his church would worry him, the 55-year-old pastor said the church has a track and trace system in place and records “every name and every telephone number” so people can be contacted if needed.

“We’re not causing coronavirus,” he added.

READ: ‘Growing dissent and anger’ among churchgoers over Covid lockdown: Rev Norman Hamilton

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Related topics:Paul BurnsBelfastNI Executive