California Christians take to the streets to minister the Gospel as indoor services are banned

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – While some California Christian leaders have filed lawsuits because state coronavirus measures ban indoor church services, others have seen their congregations grow dramatically in size as Gospel ministry has been forced out of buildings, CBN News reports.

Discussing the impact of lockdown restrictions on churches, Pastor Mickey Stonier of Rock Church in San Diego told CBN’s The Prayerlink: “During times of persecution, the church grows. Our church is growing, the influence, the impact of the church is growing.” Stonier explained that Rock Church has focused on being out in the community providing aid and resources: “We’ve put together 307,000 N-95 masks and we are feeding those in need,” he said.

Stonier added that his church has also been providing particular pastoral care for emergency workers: “We are serving the fire departments, the police departments. There’s a growing impact on emergency responders that are getting COVID. We have chaplain corps that are there and actually coming alongside each individual to provide support, guidance, counsel, and so many ministry opportunities,” he said.

As Rock Church has taken to the streets of San Diego, praying and ministering to those around them, Stonier noted that other California ministries had chosen to reach people through street and beach evangelism. “There is a breaking out of worship services in beach communities outdoors that are down the coast right now with thousands of people gathering to worship, people repenting, getting baptized, and coming to the Lord,” Stonier said.

“You can’t hold back the worship, people are worshipping and revival is breaking out,” Stonier said.

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