SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ — A San Tan Valley church has reversed course after community feedback and says it is canceling its in person Easter service it had planned for Sunday.
On Thursday ABC15 highlighted a San Tan Valley church that had said it would continue with an outdoor service expecting 300 people, all while attempting to follow social distancing guidelines.
After the story aired, and after feedback from community members online, LifePoint Church now says it will move its service to online only.
“I want the community to know that I’m truly sorry to have caused fear, that was never my intent, I want them to know the church is not about being above the law, we’re not about driving our purposes ahead of the safety of our neighbors, we want the best for our neighbors, so I humbly apologize,” said Pastor Nathan Bentley.
Bentley had originally wanted to hold the in person service because he said he had received over 300 phone calls and messages of people asking when they’d be able to meet again in person, many citing feelings of isolation and loneliness.
“At the end of the day, LifePoint church is about loving our neighbor and that’s our number one goal, I would rather the community of LifePoint, Arizona and this country to know that we love our neighbor more than we want to meet in person, so at this moment we are going to be canceling the in person live services and continue with our live streaming services,” Bentley said Friday.
To watch Sunday's live service online, head to the LifePoint website.
