The Rev. Steve Richardson, pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church, of the Associate Presbyterian Church [ARP], in Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada, was previously fined $850 on January 3, 2021 for breaking an emergency powers order concerning the Covid-19 Public Health Act. Subsequent to that fine, Richardson and his congregation continued to meet for worship services with more than 10 people in attendance. 

A minister in the Canadian Presbytery of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) has a court date on April 1, 2021, with the Oxford County Provincial Offences Court in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. The Rev. Steve Richardson, pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada, was previously fined $850 on January 3, 2021 for breaking an emergency powers order concerning the Covid-19 Public Health Act. Subsequent to that fine, Richardson and his congregation continued to meet for worship services with more than 10 people in attendance because they believe, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).  

The charges against Pastor Richardson are two counts of “failure to comply with a continued Section 7.0.2 order contrary to the Reopening of Ontario Act.” Richardson’s attorney is Albertos Polizogopoulos, a partner with The Acacia Group in Ottawa, Ontario, represents clients and churches in constitutional and civil litigation. Polizogopoulos was informed yesterday that the Crown might add an additional charge to the two counts against Richardson. If found guilty of these charges by the court, Richardson would face a maximum fine of $200,000 and 2 years of imprisonment.    

The news that the Canadian Crown Prosecutors have withdrawn all but one of the charges against Pastor James Coates of Grace Life Church near Edmonton and that he will be released from jail in the next few days is encouraging, but does not guarantee that the same will happen with Richardson’s case.

Christians are urged to pray for Pastor Richardson, the members of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and, in particular, the pastors and congregations of the Canadian Presbytery of the ARP. Richardson, like Pastor Coates, is taking a stand for the protection of the Charter rights of Canada and the religious freedoms guaranteed in them. His courage should be supported by Christians everywhere.

Dewey Roberts is Pastor of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Destin, FL.