A Kelowna church congregation will continue to worship together, despite receiving a ticket from police.

Earlier the Capital News reported that Harvest Ministries International in Kelowna was issued a $2,300 ticket for violating COVID-19 public health orders, for the second time.

Mounties visited the church twice, once on Dec. 6, taking an educational approach, and again on Dec. 19, when they issued a ticket to the ministry representative.

READ MORE: Second large gathering at Kelowna church results in ticket

Senior staff member and pastor, Heather Lucier, who confirmed she received the ticket from RCMP on Dec. 19, said it was expected, and changes nothing.

She explained their non-denominational 100-person congregation gathers two nights a week, split into two 50-person, socially-distanced groups.

Since the pandemic began, Lucier said they haven91裸聊视频檛 stopped gathering.

91裸聊视频淭ruth of the matter is, we haven91裸聊视频檛 stopped. Because we believe it91裸聊视频檚 our constitutional right to do so.

91裸聊视频淲e have let our people know that biblically, the bible says don91裸聊视频檛 neglect gathering together. That91裸聊视频檚 the high law that we follow. And if there91裸聊视频檚 an issue91裸聊视频� if we have to choose, we91裸聊视频檙e choosing biblical law.91裸聊视频�

Harvest Ministry has been around for about 18 years, and in Kelowna, since 2018. Lucier said the church is just one part of a global humanitarian effort.

She said if bars and restaurants can be open, so should they be allowed to welcome people in, adding the church should be considered an essential service.

91裸聊视频淪uicide rates are going up, depression rates are going up, and people are looking to the church. And it91裸聊视频檚 time for the church to make a stand. And so we are making a stand,91裸聊视频� Lucier said.

She explained they91裸聊视频檙e not protesting for the sake of protesting.

91裸聊视频淭his is what we91裸聊视频檝e done, this is what we always will do. So we91裸聊视频檙e just continuing on. We91裸聊视频檙e just doing what we91裸聊视频檙e called to do, as pastors and leaders. We91裸聊视频檙e having our church open.91裸聊视频�

The Kelowna RCMP called Lucier91裸聊视频檚 statements 91裸聊视频渧ery disappointing,91裸聊视频� adding officers will continue to actively investigate and take necessary enforcement action on reports of non-compliance with the provincial health orders.

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Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com

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