The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and Living Faith Church Worldwide (a.k.a. Winners Chapel) have all decided to back down on their demand to hold Crossover services across their churches around the countries on Thursday.
This announcment was made on Tuesday, adjustments in their programmes, so as to ensure that none of their members violates the 12 midnight – 4 am curfew imposed by the Federal Government as part of measures to contain COVID-19 spread.
CAN align with the government’s ban on watch night (crossover) service that usually heralds the New Year.
The association said the service, which normally extends to midnight on the first day of the year, should not hold so that Christians can keep strict adherence to COVID-19, protocols. But the Osun State government reconsidered its position on the countdown to the New Year.
“The government has decided to allow
crossover religious gatherings, being sensitive to the mood of the season.
But any organisation holding crossover service must note that they are
expected to close the service early and everyone must be off the streets by
1 am,” Osun Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke
Egbemode, said.
CAN’s National President Rev. Samson
Ayokunle advised state chapters to adhere strictly to directives by relevant
government authorities on the crossover night service.
“There is no sacrifice that is too much to put an end to the Coronavirus
pandemic in the interest of all and sundry,” Ayokunle said in a statement in
Abuja yesterday.
Already, the Ondo State government
has vowed to prosecute any church leader that may violate its ban on the
midnight service.
However, in Lagos
State, the local chapter of CAN and the state government agreed that
services should end by 11 pm tomorrow.
In a memo to all parishes signed by its Assistant General Overseer (AGO)
in charge of Admin/Personnel, Pastor Johnson Odesola, the RCCG said it will
do live streaming of the Crossover Service tomorrow night.
It urged members to link up virtually on Dove Television and other online
platforms.
The January 8 Holy Ghost Service
(HGS) will also be conducted by the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye,
virtually, Odesola said in the memo.
According to him, the mission took the decision in compliance with the
government’s directive.
It was also learnt that Winners’
Chapel service and Bishop David Oyedpo’s sermon scheduled to kick-off from 6
pm tomorrow, will be streamed live and viewed by members at all viewing
centres affiliated to the church.
Winners’ Chapel will stream He said:
“Where the government places an embargo on the Crossover Night service,
churches may meet earlier to praise and give God praises for the gift of
life despite the pandemic and to place their requests for 2021 before
God.
Ayokunle, who advised Christian
leaders to cooperate with the government, said the directive was
understandable. “We understand the unfortunate state COVID19 infection has
put everybody world over, which caused some state governments to place a
total ban on crossover night service and we are not happy that we would not
be able to enter into the New Year prayerfully in joint fellowship with our
brothers and sisters.
“We, however, urge you all to abide
by the directives of each state government on this so as to prevent the
spread of the infection. One thing that is certain is that the end of
COVID-19 is here at last in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ.
“In those states, services should be
closed about 10:30 pm or at most 11:00 pm to enable worshippers to return
home on time. It is a passing phase and this too shall pass away in Jesus
Name. Very soon, the pandemic will become history and we will return to our
usual routine services in Jesus’ Name.”
Ondo State government warned church
leaders against violating its directives to avoid prosecution.Lagos CAN
chairman Bishop Steven Adegbite, who backed down on earlier directive to
members that they end the service by 12.15 am and that members who could not
return home should pass the night in churches till daybreak.
In a statement by Adegbite supported
the government’s directive that the crossover service should terminate by 11
pm.
Lagos State Government had
previously ordered all worship centres to suspend night services, vigils and
crossover events.
The state also
announced a 12 am to 4 am curfew as part of measures to curb the spread of
COVID-19 in the state.
Adegbite said: “As part of our
responsibility as a law-abiding organisation and in response to the appeal
made to us by the state government, we hereby direct that all churches
should ensure their services on 31st of December, 2020 end at 11:00 pm so as
to allow attendees get to their respective homes and places of rest on or
before 12:00 midnight when the curfew will start.”
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