According to the Justice Centre, Grace Life has almost 400 congregants, and not one has been lost to the virus. However, one of their members did die in the first week of February because he was unable to receive cancer treatment due to the Government’s restrictions.
The Justice/Corrections system has released hundreds of prisoners as it was considered too dangerous to house low-risk prisoners during a pandemic. But this non-violent Pastor is being made an example. What will happen to him as he is released from jail isolation and put into Gen-Pop with the prisoners too dangerous to release? Hopefully he will be ok 🙏
“My heart is broken. They tried him in secret. The officers lied to us and told us he wasn’t there. They tried to hide him and sneak him out the back door. In the providence of God one of our men was there. The officer only allowed him to tell him that he loved him and were here with him. They pulled him away. They have remanded him as our lawyer seeks the appeal. The conditions of his release are that he would not pastor anymore. I cannot visit him.” - wife, Erin Coates
“People keep asking us what can you do for us? Open your churches. Open your churches! Take a stand for the Lord Jesus Christ and take a stand for the people! Love them, open the doors, that’s what we need to do right now,” said Erin Coates, during a protest demanding her husband be freed.
“People are hurting they need to hear about Christ’s Love, they need to hear about him who has paid the penalty for sin so that they can be reconciled through God.”
I share this here, too, because what happens in UK/Canada/Australia may come to America. And Americans as individuals and Churches must think what they will do in response. Will we be willing to be imprisoned? Will we submit? Will we support other Christians? This is a time of reflection, a testing of our soul
In a number of posts on Facebook, Pastor Coates’ wife Erin said:
“James has been in isolation in a cell block since yesterday morning. His hearing didn’t go very well. The crown went for the jugular. The JP say he didn’t want to detain him, he wasn’t interested in making a martyr of him. He could walk if he just sets aside his God-given pastoral duties but he can’t do that. He has a hearing today to set a court date for his charges. It’s very possible that they will remand him until his court case. The Crown has called him a danger to the health and safety of Albertans. May God have mercy on our nation! I read to my children the work the Lord is doing in people through James so they can see the sacrifice of their father is not in vain. My prayer is that men will stand! They can’t see that if they shut us down on this issue they will shut us down on any issue they deem to be ‘a danger to the health and safety of Albertans.”
According to the Justice Centre, Grace Life has almost 400 congregants, and not one has been lost to the virus. However, one of their members did die in the first week of February because he was unable to receive cancer treatment due to the Government’s restrictions.
The Justice/Corrections system has released hundreds of prisoners as it was considered too dangerous to house low-risk prisoners during a pandemic. But this non-violent Pastor is being made an example. What will happen to him as he is released from jail isolation and put into Gen-Pop with the prisoners too dangerous to release? Hopefully he will be ok 🙏
https://caldronpool.com/canadian-pastor-jailed-for-holding-church-services/
“My heart is broken. They tried him in secret. The officers lied to us and told us he wasn’t there. They tried to hide him and sneak him out the back door. In the providence of God one of our men was there. The officer only allowed him to tell him that he loved him and were here with him. They pulled him away. They have remanded him as our lawyer seeks the appeal. The conditions of his release are that he would not pastor anymore. I cannot visit him.” - wife, Erin Coates
I have signed the petition, will make another donation ( I made one just before he was arrested) and he is now in my evening prayers.
“People keep asking us what can you do for us? Open your churches. Open your churches! Take a stand for the Lord Jesus Christ and take a stand for the people! Love them, open the doors, that’s what we need to do right now,” said Erin Coates, during a protest demanding her husband be freed.
“People are hurting they need to hear about Christ’s Love, they need to hear about him who has paid the penalty for sin so that they can be reconciled through God.”
Pastor Coates' Last Sermon, worth watching, sharing - a Christian Call to Action http://www.theexpositor.tv/blog/pastor-james-coates-final-sermon-before-being-arrested-and-he-remains-in-custody-a-must-see-sermon/
I share this here, too, because what happens in UK/Canada/Australia may come to America. And Americans as individuals and Churches must think what they will do in response. Will we be willing to be imprisoned? Will we submit? Will we support other Christians? This is a time of reflection, a testing of our soul
Can we go liberate Canada yet? It sounds like they need some freedom...
In a number of posts on Facebook, Pastor Coates’ wife Erin said:
“James has been in isolation in a cell block since yesterday morning. His hearing didn’t go very well. The crown went for the jugular. The JP say he didn’t want to detain him, he wasn’t interested in making a martyr of him. He could walk if he just sets aside his God-given pastoral duties but he can’t do that. He has a hearing today to set a court date for his charges. It’s very possible that they will remand him until his court case. The Crown has called him a danger to the health and safety of Albertans. May God have mercy on our nation! I read to my children the work the Lord is doing in people through James so they can see the sacrifice of their father is not in vain. My prayer is that men will stand! They can’t see that if they shut us down on this issue they will shut us down on any issue they deem to be ‘a danger to the health and safety of Albertans.”
Coming to a town near you, soon. Just wait and see.
Just signed, what the hell happened to Canada?