There hasn’t been one death, hospitalization, or case of COVID-19 among members of the congregation..Despite that, it could be argued that a Manitoba church has been singled out in new public health orders restricting religious gatherings. .The crackdown applies only to the Southern Health region where the Church of God Restoration is, near Steinbach. .“People have had the flu, like normal, but not to the point where they went to the hospital or had to get checked,” said Pastor Tobias Tissen..The region has a 67% vaccination rate, 15% of Manitoba’s population, and half of 193 new COVID-19 cases reported Friday. .Yet the new orders apply only to religious services and youth aged 12-17 are required to get vaccinated or pay $40 per test 72 hours before playing indoor sports..Tissen won’t back down..“I’m going to keep preaching and we’re going to keep the church open because our government has absolutely no jurisdiction over the church..“We’re not afraid of what they’re going to do to us because we know we stand with God. We’re going to continue being the church in this time that Jesus died for.”.At Friday’s press conference, Health Minister Audrey Gordon sternly warned enforcement officers will monitor religious facilities..“They’ll be unannounced and regularly checked during this public health order being in effect,” said Gordon, who faced no consequences when she violated health orders last month at a gala. .Gordon, with families minister Rochelle Squires and Cathy Cox, minister of sport, culture, and heritage, were outed mingling without mandated masks or social distancing..“I can imagine we’ll be high up on the list,” said Tissen, with a message for enforcement officers..“If you want to get some spiritual needs met and want to hear the preaching, please come in. But if you’re coming here to check on us, you’re not coming in.”.This standoff isn’t new —Church of God received $40,000 in fines. Tissen was personally fined $13,000 for defying public health orders including attending indoor church services..On October 18, RCMP handcuffed and jailed him on outstanding warrants issued for attending and organizing public protests violating health orders..Church of God argues that mandating COVID-19 vaccinations assaults religious freedom..“As Christians we’re against abortion. One of the ingredients in that vaccine is fetal cell lines. We cannot be partakers in that. Every individual has to, at some point, come to a place and say: ‘Can I do this and hurt humanity, or should I stand with my conscience?’.“People have to make up their minds. Are they going to be Christian and take the persecution? Or are they going to deny Christ and forsake the assembling of the Christians?”.It’s not that Tissen doesn’t respect the law. .“We’re very determined to fulfill that scripture (Luke 20:25) that says: ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what belongs to God.’ Caesar has absolutely no say over the church.”.But Caesar’s determined to force the 180 members into subservience while the public gathers freely elsewhere in bigger numbers. No vaccination checks necessary. .The new orders dictate religious gatherings in places of worship that don’t require vaccinations must be restricted to 25% capacity..“To be honest I was quite upset. They have these restrictions that are going to be targeting the Southern Health region, which is my location. They’re also targeting the church again,” said Tissen. .Church of God was previously under surveillance..“For months now they’ve left us alone. I think they tired of sitting there on Sundays. If somebody complains, they’ll come.”.It began last November after an area resident — we’ll call him Karen — apparently deputized himself. Only outdoor services with limited attendance were allowed..“A private citizen flew a private plane over our church and reported it and sent police a picture of the parking lot. There were 30 or 40 vehicles. Then he came in his truck into the parking lot and was recording all the licence plates. Since then, the police have been on us.”.RCMP arrested Tissen in Steinbach for helping organize a May 15 rally — the only one he organized..“We were in park. I was there with my mom who was going to move to Europe the next day. We were doing a final dinner together. As soon as I let the parking lot I got pulled over.”.He couldn’t hug his mother goodbye..His boys Silas, 6, and Michael, 3, watched him being handcuffed and hauled away to Winnipeg police cells..“My experience of jail is very limited because this was the first time I’ve been in there. I don’t know if they treat everybody like that, but in custody, they kept me awake all night. They kept the light on and banged on the doors every 15 minutes.”.He didn’t know supporters were gathered outside. .“Pretty much the whole church went to the station. They were walking around, singing and praying, and calling my name..“My boys were looking into the station hoping to see me. They hoped to be able to take me home. It was hard on them. It almost broke my heart when I saw the pictures.”.He refused bail conditions dictating he couldn’t attend gatherings against COVID-19, including church services..Tissen was transferred to the Winnipeg Remand Centre and incarcerated a second night. .“I had a hard time. It took 39 hours before I was able to call my wife. My personal strength was pretty well gone. But I was praying hard and crying out to the Lord and I had some of the most special times in prayer in jail..“When God takes us through the fire, He’s right there with us.”.The conditions of his release were changed. He paid a $2,000 cash bond. He agreed not to request, incite, invite, or organize others to gather in protest of COVID-19 prevention orders..He’s permitted to carry out his pastoral duties. But now his flock can’t all enter the church to hear him. Odd how that happened..Slobodian is the Senior Manitoba Columnist for the Western Standard.lslobodian@westernstandardonline.com
There hasn’t been one death, hospitalization, or case of COVID-19 among members of the congregation..Despite that, it could be argued that a Manitoba church has been singled out in new public health orders restricting religious gatherings. .The crackdown applies only to the Southern Health region where the Church of God Restoration is, near Steinbach. .“People have had the flu, like normal, but not to the point where they went to the hospital or had to get checked,” said Pastor Tobias Tissen..The region has a 67% vaccination rate, 15% of Manitoba’s population, and half of 193 new COVID-19 cases reported Friday. .Yet the new orders apply only to religious services and youth aged 12-17 are required to get vaccinated or pay $40 per test 72 hours before playing indoor sports..Tissen won’t back down..“I’m going to keep preaching and we’re going to keep the church open because our government has absolutely no jurisdiction over the church..“We’re not afraid of what they’re going to do to us because we know we stand with God. We’re going to continue being the church in this time that Jesus died for.”.At Friday’s press conference, Health Minister Audrey Gordon sternly warned enforcement officers will monitor religious facilities..“They’ll be unannounced and regularly checked during this public health order being in effect,” said Gordon, who faced no consequences when she violated health orders last month at a gala. .Gordon, with families minister Rochelle Squires and Cathy Cox, minister of sport, culture, and heritage, were outed mingling without mandated masks or social distancing..“I can imagine we’ll be high up on the list,” said Tissen, with a message for enforcement officers..“If you want to get some spiritual needs met and want to hear the preaching, please come in. But if you’re coming here to check on us, you’re not coming in.”.This standoff isn’t new —Church of God received $40,000 in fines. Tissen was personally fined $13,000 for defying public health orders including attending indoor church services..On October 18, RCMP handcuffed and jailed him on outstanding warrants issued for attending and organizing public protests violating health orders..Church of God argues that mandating COVID-19 vaccinations assaults religious freedom..“As Christians we’re against abortion. One of the ingredients in that vaccine is fetal cell lines. We cannot be partakers in that. Every individual has to, at some point, come to a place and say: ‘Can I do this and hurt humanity, or should I stand with my conscience?’.“People have to make up their minds. Are they going to be Christian and take the persecution? Or are they going to deny Christ and forsake the assembling of the Christians?”.It’s not that Tissen doesn’t respect the law. .“We’re very determined to fulfill that scripture (Luke 20:25) that says: ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what belongs to God.’ Caesar has absolutely no say over the church.”.But Caesar’s determined to force the 180 members into subservience while the public gathers freely elsewhere in bigger numbers. No vaccination checks necessary. .The new orders dictate religious gatherings in places of worship that don’t require vaccinations must be restricted to 25% capacity..“To be honest I was quite upset. They have these restrictions that are going to be targeting the Southern Health region, which is my location. They’re also targeting the church again,” said Tissen. .Church of God was previously under surveillance..“For months now they’ve left us alone. I think they tired of sitting there on Sundays. If somebody complains, they’ll come.”.It began last November after an area resident — we’ll call him Karen — apparently deputized himself. Only outdoor services with limited attendance were allowed..“A private citizen flew a private plane over our church and reported it and sent police a picture of the parking lot. There were 30 or 40 vehicles. Then he came in his truck into the parking lot and was recording all the licence plates. Since then, the police have been on us.”.RCMP arrested Tissen in Steinbach for helping organize a May 15 rally — the only one he organized..“We were in park. I was there with my mom who was going to move to Europe the next day. We were doing a final dinner together. As soon as I let the parking lot I got pulled over.”.He couldn’t hug his mother goodbye..His boys Silas, 6, and Michael, 3, watched him being handcuffed and hauled away to Winnipeg police cells..“My experience of jail is very limited because this was the first time I’ve been in there. I don’t know if they treat everybody like that, but in custody, they kept me awake all night. They kept the light on and banged on the doors every 15 minutes.”.He didn’t know supporters were gathered outside. .“Pretty much the whole church went to the station. They were walking around, singing and praying, and calling my name..“My boys were looking into the station hoping to see me. They hoped to be able to take me home. It was hard on them. It almost broke my heart when I saw the pictures.”.He refused bail conditions dictating he couldn’t attend gatherings against COVID-19, including church services..Tissen was transferred to the Winnipeg Remand Centre and incarcerated a second night. .“I had a hard time. It took 39 hours before I was able to call my wife. My personal strength was pretty well gone. But I was praying hard and crying out to the Lord and I had some of the most special times in prayer in jail..“When God takes us through the fire, He’s right there with us.”.The conditions of his release were changed. He paid a $2,000 cash bond. He agreed not to request, incite, invite, or organize others to gather in protest of COVID-19 prevention orders..He’s permitted to carry out his pastoral duties. But now his flock can’t all enter the church to hear him. Odd how that happened..Slobodian is the Senior Manitoba Columnist for the Western Standard.lslobodian@westernstandardonline.com
