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害羞草研究所檛 stopped gathering.

害羞草研究所淭ruth of the matter is, we haven害羞草研究所檛 stopped. Because we believe it害羞草研究所檚 our constitutional right to do so.

害羞草研究所淲e have let our people know that biblically, the bible says don害羞草研究所檛 neglect gathering together. That害羞草研究所檚 the high law that we follow. And if there害羞草研究所檚 an issue害羞草研究所� if we have to choose, we害羞草研究所檙e choosing biblical law.害羞草研究所�

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.

害羞草研究所淪uicide rates are going up, depression rates are going up, and people are looking to the church. And it害羞草研究所檚 time for the church to make a stand. And so we are making a stand,害羞草研究所� Lucier said.

She explained they害羞草研究所檙e not protesting for the sake of protesting.

害羞草研究所淭his is what we害羞草研究所檝e done, this is what we always will do. So we害羞草研究所檙e just continuing on. We害羞草研究所檙e just doing what we害羞草研究所檙e called to do, as pastors and leaders. We害羞草研究所檙e having our church open.害羞草研究所�

The Kelowna RCMP called Lucier害羞草研究所檚 statements 害羞草研究所渧ery disappointing,害羞草研究所� 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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