Pastor James Coates in Edmonton

so many cannot grasp this simple concept.

Canadian pastor gives emotional speech in first Sunday back at his church since being jailed

‘I’m immensely grateful, I am immensely thankful to the Lord, to you, I love you and I’ve missed you dearly and I’m excited to be back.’

Wed Mar 31, 2021 - 11:05 am EST

EDMONTON, Alberta, March 31, 2021 (LifeSiteNews) – With a heavy police presence outside his church last Sunday, Canadian Pastor James Coates was welcomed with applause and cheers before giving an emotional address to his congregation — his first since being released from prison.

“Many of you already [know this], but I am a fallen and imperfect man. But I have a mighty savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. And he is the king of kings and Lord of Lords. It’s such a blessing to be here with you today,” said Coates, pastor of Grace Life Church in Spruce Grove, Alberta. “I’m so thankful for all of the love and support that you’ve shown to me, to my family. I’m so thankful for just our leadership, for the courage they’ve shown.”

Coates thanked the other pastors of GraceLife, his family and sons, as well as everyone else who “stood” with him and spoke out against his jailing. “[I’m] just immensely humbled by the men in this country that have stood with us, stood with me, supported me, preached sermons that were supportive and expressed love and affection, so thankful for you, the congregation, who have written to me. Your letters were incredibly encouraging to me and strengthened me and served me so immensely well,” said Coates.

He said he was “incredibly overwhelmed” to be back, adding he still doesn’t “understand the fullness of what’s happened.” “I’m still trying to wrap my mind around everything … I’m trying to bear back up under the responsibilities of pastoral ministry and all that that demands of me. And so, you can just know that I’m overwhelmed. But I’m immensely grateful, I am immensely thankful to the Lord, to you, I love you and I’ve missed you dearly and I’m excited to be back. I’m excited to hug you and embrace you and express my love and affection to you in a personal way.”

Coates was jailed from February 16 until March 22 for defying COVID-related orders in Alberta. He refused to agree to bail conditions which blocked his release unless he agreed to not hold church services amid severe lockdowns. Last Sunday, Coates said his act to refuse the bail conditions was done out of “obedience” to God.

“This all to the Lord, it’s amazing to me, how one act of obedience in a little wee RCMP office in little wee Spruce Grove could have the impact that it did. I couldn’t sign that condition. And the rest is history,” said Coates.

Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) lawyer Jay Cameron, who represents Coates, told LifeSiteNews that the “Constitution is not suspended simply because of COVID, it remains in full force and effect, and the government of Alberta has yet to justify its lockdown measures, all of which are subject to a constitutional challenge.”

JCCF president John Carpay told LifeSiteNews last week that it was through back-and-forth negotiations with the Crown prosecutor that an agreement was made to get Coates out of jail, without him having to promise to abide by “unscientific and unconstitutional health orders” which “violate” his freedom of conscience and religion.

A GoFundMe campaign for Coates has now raised over $45,000 — way more than the $5,000 initially envisioned — from more than 400 individual donors.

Heavy police presence on site for Coates’ first time back at his church. No doubt in anticipation of Coates’ return, local Spruce Grove area RCMP and Alberta Health Services (AHS) inspectors were on site at Grace Life Church on Sunday. According to Rebel News reporter Sheila Gunn Reid, two officers tried to enter the church but were stopped by church elders. “Pastor Coates in on the pulpit fresh off 35 days in jail. RCMP and AHS just tried to enter[.] GraceLife Church elders would not let them come into the church. Exciting Palm Sunday so far,” Reid tweeted. Section 176(2) of the “Criminal Code of Canada” bans interrupting or disturbing a religious worship service.

“As services began, two local RCMP officers and an Alberta Health Services inspector demanded entry to the church, something church elders argued would violate section 176(2) of the Criminal Code, which prohibits interrupting a religious services,” wrote Gunn Reid. “A tense exchange between the two sides lasted approximately 20 minutes before police and inspectors left to monitor the service from off-site, after being denied access to the church.”
[NOTE: THIS WAS AFTER THE PASTOR WAS RELEASED, PAID A FINE, AND ALL CHARGES WERE DISMISSED. THIS IS COVID TYRANNY]

A partial transcript of a video taken by Reid during the altercation shows one church elder stating, “So I guess, though, by you guys going inside you would be saying that you’re … guilty of interrupting a worship service.” An officer replied, “No, I’m not saying that.” A church elder then went on to say, “That’s why we can’t let you in, then, because the code 176 makes it illegal for you to interrupt a worship service, and our worship service has begun, and we’re stating that to you very clearly, that your presence in this building will be interrupting our worship service.” One officer asked, “How so?” The Elder replied, “Because your presence intimidates our people.” “That's your perception,” countered the police officer.

Not everyone was thrilled Coates was back at the pulpit Sunday. The former socialist Premier of Alberta, Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley, called for Grace Life Church to be “shut down.” “Enough is enough. GraceLife must be shut down,” Notley tweeted.

Current Alberta COVID rules state that churches and other places of worship can operate at no more than 15 percent of the capacity allowed by the building fire code. Masks are mandatory, as are the sanitation of hands and keeping away from other people. Recently, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s provincial government allowed retail businesses an increase in occupancy limits, but offered no such increase to churches, which remain capped at 15 percent.

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/c...-sunday-back-at-his-church-since-being-jailed

I wish Coates had not done this. It opens the door to people like the failed Notley to use this civil disobedience as a stepping stone to her socialist agenda. Sadly, most Albertans are totally disillusioned with Kenney, even though almost no one would vote for the NDP, who pulled a Trudeau in their 4 years in gov't, trying to start in a worker's "green" paradise in redneck Alberta!

I've asked this question so many times, not just about this church in Edmonton, but all the pastors and churches in both Canada and the USA who are defying COVID health protocols,

What about Romans 13?? I just don't see any wiggle room. And Paul was taking about tyrannical Caesars like Nero and Caligula, who were absolute rulers, who killed people in a whim!

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience." Romans 13:1-5

No mincing words here! So answer me why it is ok for pastors, to be leading their congregations into disobedience to the gov't and God. I just don't understand the reasoning!

The answer is not found in Romans 13 but in Acts 4.

ACTS 4: WE MUST OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14nd beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. [Note: this is similar to all the government regulations on churches, which are ESSENTIAL, and essential services remained open]
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

Since this was a SCAMDEMIC (and continues to be so) if every church in North America had agreed with all the other churches to remain open and reject all the COVID nonsense, all the governments would have back off. They could not possibly jail millions of Christians. Even if only all the evangelical Christians (regardless of denomination) had agreed to band together in this matter, it would have been very powerful. So Pastor James Coates is to be commended for his defiance.

Over 70 Canadian churches vow to defy lockdowns, will fully open for Easter services
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/o...lockdowns-will-fully-open-for-easter-services

It should have been 700 churches. Enough is enough.

“Get Out, Nazis!” Calgary Pastor Shouts Down Police Interrupting Church Service During Holy Week (VIDEO)
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/20...-interrupting-church-service-holy-week-video/

We need more pastors like this one. Otherwise the Nazis will not stop.

The lesson from banning religious services during COVID
Protecting freedom demands 'holding a government's feet to the fire'

Bob Unruh

Mark Rienzi, who represented the Catholic nuns who opposed Barack Obama's abortion-funding mandate, says the government's restrictions of religious organizations during the coronavirus pandemic have taught an important lesson.

Citizens need to be "holding the government's feet to the fire," pressing officials to justify their restrictions with evidence, he wrote in a commentary for RealClear Politics.

"The lesson here is important, and it is not limited to COVID or religious liberty. When governments want to restrict our rights, courts must insist on some evidence about the alleged harm," said Rienzi, director of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

"Without real judicial scrutiny, governments will be tempted to ignore rights and play favorites. Holding the government’s feet to the fire — and making it justify restrictions it wants to impose — is the best way to protect freedom," he wrote.

Rienzi noted that last week a federal judge in Washington struck down the nation's last limit on the number of people who are allowed to attend a worship service.

"The government lost for what has become a common reason: It could offer no evidence that it needed to impose harsh limits on worship that do not apply at restaurants, train stations, or office buildings," he explained.

He said it was common for governors, mayors and others to order closures – or significant attendance restrictions – on churches, synagogues, mosques and others during the outset of COVID-19.

The first few cases that went to court were won by governments, as judges deferred to their decisions. But the rulings simply empowered governments to demand more. "When courts simply defer to governments about the need to restrict liberty, governments will restrict more liberty. Worse, they will favor the interests they think are important, and restrict rights that they think are not so important," he said.

Rienzi said the security of constitutional rights depends on courts demanding evidence of decisions that governments make. "The COVID religious liberty cases demonstrate this lesson playing out over the past year. Early in the pandemic, courts were quite deferential to governors and mayors who said they needed to outlaw in-person religious worship. The issue reached the Supreme Court for the first time last May in a case called South Bay Pentecostal Church v. Newsom. There, Chief Justice Roberts explained that COVID restrictions were 'subject to reasonable disagreement' and that governments should get 'especially broad' latitude, not to be second-guessed by judges," Rienzi said. The result was that worship bans surged.

"Most famously, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo targeted his COVID orders very specifically at Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods — even while leaving other neighborhoods with higher COVID levels out. Many governments allowed large-scale protests over the death of George Floyd — while still outlawing smaller outdoor gatherings for religious purposes. And governments began loosening COVID restrictions in order to allow what they viewed as important industries (think casinos in Nevada and movie production in California) to reopen while still restricting the return to worship," he said.

Eventually, he said, "the courts caught up." A turning point happened last fall when the Supreme Court ruled against restrictions in Brooklyn. The justices wanted to see "proof" that the government needed to enforce its orders. "And because the government had not presented such evidence — in fact, there was 'no evidence' that the churches and synagogues at issue had contributed at all to the spread of COVID — the court found it 'hard to believe' that the prohibited religious worship 'would create a more serious health risk than the many other activities that the State allows," he wrote.

The lesson came next: "Once the courts began requiring some proof from the government for its restrictions, those restrictions — and the public health claims on which they had been based — fell apart." Nevada's "preferential treatment" of casinos? Gone. California's arbitrary limits? "Rejected by the Supreme Court." Even Roberts recognized by that point that deference "has its limits."

Rienzi said, "A year of COVID has taught us many hard lessons. Let’s hope the lesson about how to protect freedom is one we won’t soon forget."
https://www.wnd.com/2021/04/lesson-banning-religious-services-covid/

The pandemic is bogus, and exaggerated, and blown out of proportion because the time is come for them to go forth without turning back with their plan of a global government.

Their plan for those who are part of it, and the new age movement is 2 steps forward, 1 step back, 2 steps forward, 1 step back, and so on, which throws people off that there could be a plan going on, and they are stalling for time for they are of the occult and will do things on certain dates for they believe in the power of numbers.

But now they are going forward and not back.

They are using the Covid-19 as an excuse to give them a vaccination.

But they do not want the vaccination to work out that well and want it to fail and not work as they had hoped, and saying the coronavirus is stronger, and new waves of it, and new variants of it.

That will condition the people to take nanotechnology which they can begin tracking people.

Which scientists want the nanotechnology and said listen to the scientists and said that they will need a new vaccine in less than a year predicting that the current vaccine will be obsolete in that time.

When they do go to nanotechnology which many people will take it for fear of the coronavirus which they will fear even more at that time it will condition them for the mark of the beast because they are being tracked anyway.

Agenda 21, Agenda 2030, is they want a global government by 2030.

Part of Agenda 21 is to move all people from the rural areas in to the cities where they are all concentrated in a certain spot for that way they can easily track the people as they will use 5G technology, or whatever it is at that time, and since there will be a global government it will be done for you are dealing with the world now, and all nations governments in compliance with each other at that time.

The 5G technology or whatever it is at that time are shorter wave lengths with the signal only going about 1500 feet and that is without obstruction.

That is why they want to put all people in the cities because they want to track the people, keep track of them, and they are not going to put up towers every 1500 feet all across America, which would have to have towers 1500 feet on both sides of them which they would have to put up a lot of towers so no tower is more than 1500 feet away from another tower, which would be very expensive, and time consuming.

So they want them all concentrated in one area like a sophisticated concentration camp, which is easier to control the people, and keep track of them.

Also Agenda 21 has to do with ecology, balance between nature and people, as no development can happen outside city limits, and they do not want anybody outside the city limits, and no hunting can be done, which they are of the occult so they do not want them to eat meat for they reverence nature, which the Bible says they will command to abstain from meats.

The nanotechnology will condition them for the mark of the beast because they cannot just throw it at them but must condition them like the antichrist has to condition the people before he claims to be God.

They are using the Covid-19 to cause them to get vaccinated which will condition them for nanotechnology which will condition them for the mark of the beast.

When the New Age Christ, antichrist, and general all purpose idiot, establishes peace in the Middle East the New Age Christ will push the agenda of the new age movement for three and one half years to condition the world to accept him when he claims to be God.

The people will be in the cities being tracked by nanotechnology and radio waves for three and one half years to condition them for the mark of the beast.

There is no way they could throw nanotechnology at them at one time even with the coronavirus for people will think something is strange and they want to track them and know something is wrong so they could not introduce it as a solution right off the bat.

And there would be even less of a chance for them to accept the mark of the beast which is a better tracking system so they cannot throw that at them at once.

They have to condition the people to accept the mark of the beast.

Solution- they lie about the coronavirus and exaggerate it, and blow it out of proportion, and say it is getting worse and we cannot handle it so nanotechnology can be used which will condition them for the mark of the beast.

The Covid-19 is bogus and it is the end time and they are moving forward and not moving back as in time past.

Dan 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Dan 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

None of the wicked shall understand what is going on but the wise shall understand.

He was held in quarantine for the first 2 weeks due to the Covid regulations of that facility. Then he was kept alone due to the "high-profile" nature of the case. Either way, solitary confinement is a cruel form of punishment and traditionally only used for prisoners who are a danger to others.

Nothing about this situation was right or fair.

UPDATE: Wife of Jailed Canadian Pastor Shares Details of Husband's Ordeal Behind Bars | CBN News

This is one case which should have definitely gone to court, all the way to the Supreme Court. It was imperative that the government show EVIDENCE that their lockdowns and restrictions had any rational scientific basis or had actually reduced infections. This could have been a landmark case for Canada, just like a recent landmark case in Germany which essentially said that the pandemic was virtually non-existent.

New development today.

Since releasing Pastor James, they have physically blocked off the church to prevent congregants from attending. GraceLife is now closed and surrounded by large fences.

AHS closes GraceLife church near Edmonton (citynews.ca)

I have responded to this illegality by writing to MLA Drew Barnes (who was against restrictions on churches) and Premier Jason Kenney has received a copy of this letter below:

Attn: The Honorable Drew Barnes, MLA

I never expected that the day would come when the United Conservative Party would choose to become another Nazi party.

You have put up a fence around Grace Life Church because of a BOGUS PANDEMIC.
https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/fence-g...?fbclid=IwAR369LcgNno-_qEAMZCAnNInQSRBndXmtwV

This is no different than the Nazis going after Jews because they were Jews.

Your party's actions are not only unconstitutional (as a direct attack on freedom to worship), but they are also crimes against humanity, and attacks on human dignity for all the people of Alberta.

Mr. Barnes, I trust you will seriously protest against this injustice and illegality, and even resign from your party if necessary. But above all you must now raise your voice publicly against Jason Kenney, Tyler Shandro, and Deena Henshaw. And you must do everything to have this tyrannical Public Health Act rescinded.

Mr. Kenney is receiving a copy of this letter, and he needs to keep in mind that he was not appointed as a tyrant in Alberta.

This is how you know it is an attack on christians, the fascist canadian gov wouldn't dare do to a mosque what they are doing to a church.

Oh well, nobody will fight anyway... they just roll over and take it. if canadians had guts they wouldn't of given up guns and would have been pulling them out and deleting the fascists.

Sorry Canada but this is what you get for allowing liberalism.

They bowed to liberalism long ago, they deserve everything they are getting now.

I’m new and I know I should keep my mouth shut but I won’t because I feel like truth is so important and we aren’t all telling the truth. The pastor was not asked to shut the church down but to reduce its numbers and change the way they operated while Canada struggles to manage the rapid spread of COVID in this country.

The truth of the matter is that there are several restaurant owners who were asked to do the same and they broke the rules like the pastor did. Like others who sharEd his convictions, they too went to jail because it’s to deter this behaviour of not following the government’ s rules.

More importantly there are people suffering in our hospitals which are set up differently than the states and the government regulated a lot of sanctions which people call draconian but it was not restricted to Christians. Please don’t manipulate the truth to sound like persecution - the whole country faced these sanctions. The big box stores were the only places to prosper which has now been addressed.

The penalty the pastor faced is the same that other violators of the law faced, this includes jail and the fine of people who would be repeat offenders. This entitled attitude gives Christian’s a poor reputation because all other organizations followed the rules. There are churches who are open and conducted multiple services with 10 people because of the rules. It might not be the right rules but it wasn’t just given to Christians but to the country.

Currently Canada is doing worse than America and Britain in managing COVID. Many people are suffering and the medical staff who have cared and are caring for patients in the ICU without vacations, working double shifts and have also contracted COVID while on duty are really hurt by the pastors lack of understanding. We have the military working on this, people coming out of retirement to help, new grads coming alongside AND people understand that the pastor is not bad but frustrated with a frustrating situation. I just pray that he humbles himself to see the hurting and how they could support the weak. There are other churches who are making meals for the shut-ins, bring communion to those who are desperate to fellowship and can’t risk being around large crowds; while preaching the gospel multiple times a week which is also exhausting.

Biden should be impeached for suggesting that the amendments to the constitution are not absolute. If Trump had said such a thing they would have drug him out and burned him at the stake on the front lawn. I'm not for violence but it seems that Biden has failed to uphold his oath to defend and protect the constitution of the United States.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

Actually 0.042% or about 420 per 1,000,000 of population. Alberta is about 0.04%.

Governments in free countries DO NOT have the right to dictate to any church how they should assemble or conduct their services. As to the so-called "rapid spread of COVID" that is fear-mongering plain and simple. There is no pandemic when the death rate is about 400 people in 1,000,000. And we do not even know how many deaths have been falsely attributed to COVID. All the projections were false and meant to create mass hysteria.

And all restrictive measures have no scientific basis, and have not worked to reduce infections. Sunshine is necessary and people are being prevented from going outside. But the most telling signal about the scam is that all governments and public health officials actually SUPRESSED AND SABOTAGED the use of HCQ (combo pack) and Ivermectin for early treatment,

That is total nonsense. The death rate in the USA (after adjusting for over-reporting) is about 0.1 %. In Canada it is about 0.042%. So where are you getting your fear-mongering data?

Everything has been bogus. The PCR tests were generally false positives, and even genuine positives are NOT cases. A case is an actually sick person under treatment. But the meaning of case was changed to create fear and panic. Furthermore the deaths being reported have been inflated by at least 30%. Deaths from poisoning or gunshot wounds are not COVID deaths.

“On April 6, Canada’s rate of new COVID-19 cases came as close as its ever been to that of the United States since the beginning of the pandemic, as Canada posted 180.8 cases per million population, while the U.S. posted 195.7 per million population. And our case count is rising so fast—up 28 per cent in the past week alone—that we’re likely to exceed the plateauing U.S. rate in the coming days. “

https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada-likely-to-exceed-u-s-infection-rate-in-coming-days/