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The Pastor's Blog

By Jacob Reaume

Six Elders and Church Charged for Meeting: Max Total Penalty is $10.8 Million plus Jail Time

By Jacob Reaume | January 8, 2021 |
Tagged: covid-19, press release

January 8, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PASTORS, ELDERS, AND CHURCH CHARGED FOR WORSHIPING TOGETHER

MAXIMUM TOTAL PENALTY IS $10.8 MILLION PLUS JAIL TIME IF CONVICTED

This week two pastors of Trinity Bible Chapel received two charges each for violating the Reopening Ontario Act on January 3, 2021.  An additional pastor, three additional elders, and the church itself received one charge each for violating the Reopening Ontario Act on the same date.  Each personal charge carries a maximum fine of $100,000 and one year in jail, while the charge to the church as an institution carries a maximum fine of $10,000,000 if convicted.  Please note that the fine to the church poses no personal risk to individual members.  This is all for gathering a congregation to worship Christ in obedience to Scripture.  The elders and the church have retained legal counsel from the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) who plan to represent us in court.

Our congregation gathered for worship from June 14, 2020 until December 24, 2020 with no reported outbreak of COVID-19 and with no interference from the authorities.  The only difference is that the Province of Ontario entered its second lockdown on December 26, 2020.  

This is the second week in a row that all elders have been charged.  Last time members of the Waterloo Regional Police Service delivered our summonses to us at our homes, but this time they were delivered by regional by-law officers.

Being advised by the JCCF, we will not hold in-person gatherings in excess of 10 persons at Trinity Bible Chapel, commencing immediately, until the end of the current lockdown period on January 23. We plan to conduct drive-in services on the Lord’s Day.  We know that this decision is heartbreaking for the many people who have found hope during our church services and who are also already burdened with despair by the destructive measures of our government, but we believe it is in the best interest of the church for various reasons, which we might make clearer in due course.  We are committed to regathering as a congregation in person as soon as possible.

As we walk through this storm, our eyes are joyfully fixed upon our Saviour who can end this trial with one small word.  He is a kind and gentle Saviour, and we can trust Him.  “I lift my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

In order to demonstrate your commitment to gathering for worship, we ask that you attend our drive-in worship service this Sunday at 10:30 AM.  We do ask that all who attend our drive-in service remain in their vehicles in accordance with provincial regulations.  The Province of Ontario considers it unlawful and dangerous for you to exit your vehicles to speak with each other on the church property, but you are apparently free to exchange greetings amidst the crowds of shoppers at Walmart which is 3.6 kilometers from our lot.

Further internal communication will come to our congregation at a later time.


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About the Author

Jacob Reaume

Born and raised in Guelph, Jacob holds a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He became pastor of Trinity Bible Chapel in August, 2009. Jacob is married to his high school sweetheart, Joanna, and together they have six children.

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  • About
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      • Our Doctrinal Statement
      • Specific Issues
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        • Counseling Philosophy
        • Creation, Evolution and God’s Sovereignty
        • Eternal Security of the Believer
        • Sufficiency of Scripture
        • Spiritual Warfare
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        • Women in Ministry
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    • Church Staff
    • Job Opportunities
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Project Rehoboth
      • Rehoboth Updates
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  • Connect
    • New Here?
      • Welcome to Trinity!
      • What Should I Expect?
      • How Can I Be Saved?
      • Get Baptized
      • University Bus Shuttle
    • Get Connected
      • Step 1: Connect
      • Step 2: Consider
      • Step 3: Commit to a Small Group
      • Step 3: Commit to Serve
      • Step 4: Covenant in Membership
    • Resources
      • Weekly E-News
      • Events Calendar
      • Church App
      • Subscribe to Our Podcast
      • Pulpit Curriculum
      • Bible Reading Plans
      • Weddings
  • Ministries
    • Trinity Kids
      • Parenting Resources
      • Web Protection Guide
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      • Pulpit Curriculum
      • Small Groups Blog Posts
      • Accountability Resources
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