Senior Pastor of Lagos-based church, Daystar Christian Centre, Sam and Nike Adeyemi, says members of their church will not resume congregational worship on Sunday, August 9, 2020.
This was contained in a statement released by the church on Friday titled, ‘Update On Resumption Of Physical Services’.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had last week okayed the reopening of worship centres in the state effective August 7 after over four months of closure due to lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.
The governor had approved that Muslim faithful could start attending congregational worships in mosques from Friday while Christians could also start attending physical church services from Sunday.
Sanwo-Olu also advised worshippers to obey health protocol during services including physical distancing, use of face masks and good hygiene practice.
But the couple, who co-founded the church in 1995, said they would continue to hold online services until it is safe to reopen their expansive auditorium located in the Oregun area of the state as well as other outlets around the country.
The church has, over the years, grown to be one of the megachurches in the state with thousands of worshippers in weekend attendance while hundreds of thousands join its satellite services.
The statement read, “We are aware of the Lagos State Government’s announcement that churches can resume physical services from 9th August 2020. We thank God for the progress made so far by the federal and state governments, the NCDC and our frontline health workers. However, the leadership of Daystar Christian Centre has resolved NOT to open her worship centres for physical gathering on the immediate.
“Daystar Christian Centre will continue to hold her services online exclusively pending further review. We look forward to the resumption of physical services in a safe environment. We urge our members and friends to join us on all our online platforms for life-transforming services.
“God’s mercy that has preserved us thus far will cause this plague to pass over our families, nations and planet in Jesus’ name. Amen!”