The Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), Dr Paul Enenche, has given reasons why the church conducted a service on Sunday March 22 despite government’s regulations on religious gatherings to check the spread of the Coronavirus.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration had banned religious gathering of over 50 people in order to curtail the spread of the pandemic, which has infected 61 people and claimed one life.
In a statement by his secretary, Sylvester Edoh, Pastor Enenche said Dunamis held the service after due consultations with relevant authorities in the FCT and the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
He said CAN agreed ton the ground that the service would be conducted to create awareness and sensitise members of the church regarding the compliance with government’s directive.
“For this reason, the service was held, not as a regular one, but as a sensitisation and awareness service to inform the people about the directives of the government.
“Also to enlighten them on health and safety measures as prescribed by experts globally,” the statement said.
The DIGC senior pastor commended the government’s efforts so far in tackling and checking the spread of the virus.
According to hi, the church was on the same page with the government in preventing the COVID-19 pandemic from ravaging the country.
Enenche also said Dunamis church had always been law abiding and following government directives, especially for the interest of the nation.
“Beyond compliance with government initiatives and directives, we have partnered with government at various times to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
“The church cannot be against the very people whose lives it passionately seeks to nurture, defend and protect.
“Dunamis church shall, therefore, continue to employ all necessary measures to ensure full compliance with government directives.
“This is even as it prays for speedy divine intervention to heal those already infected with the virus and totally arrest further spread of it, both within Nigeria and around the world,’’ he said.