For the past several months, the congregation has chosen to continue meeting at the church despite the government COVID-19 restriction.
In retaliation, the Alberta Health Services has created a physical barrier around the church with security and RCMP on the scene to prevent the congregation from continuing to meet.
Roads blocked and fences going up around GraceLife Church this morning… pic.twitter.com/qSbLXRWKut
— Kim Smith (@Kim_SmithTV) April 7, 2021
GraceLife is being walled off by two layers of security fencing and a black tarp to obscure the entrance to the church.
— Sheila Gunn Reid (@SheilaGunnReid) April 7, 2021
RCMP and private Paladin security are here.
RCMP have no documentation to present to the church re:closure, but are keeping members off the property. pic.twitter.com/68E7ntCHVp
GraceLife Church is located west of Edmonton, Alberta, and has been closed under Section 62.1 of the Alberta Public Health Act.
Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church has been formally charged and jailed for 35 days for refusing to comply with the public health orders. The church has also been charged under the Alberta Public Health Act.
Please pray for us
— Curtis Serben (@curtis_serben) April 7, 2021
Police and security are putting up a fence around Gracelife! Please pray for wisdom as our elders navigate this new development! @tomascol @TomBuck @MichelleDLesley @Aspree_Berean @D_B_Harrison @TobyLogsdon @DrOakley1689 @MikeHovland pic.twitter.com/SD45qnppqz
More details to come.