Canadian Pastor Tim Stephens gave his first interview last week after being released from prison earlier this month. Authorities arrested the Fairview Baptist Church pastor for holding outdoor services in violation of coronavirus restrictions.
After spending weeks in jail, Stephens told Rebel News that God opened doors for ministry while he was there.
STEPHENS: “For the most part, the inmates treated me with much respect. When they understood why I was there, they didn’t think it was right for me to be there. They would call me pastor. They would open up about their own problems and want counsel, want advice. Even inmates who were hardened atheists came to appreciate where I was coming from. And we developed a good friendship among those other inmates there in jail.”
Stephens also said the church would continue to meet.
STEPHENS: “We continue to go to church because this is not a matter of us trying to calculate, based upon the consequences of our actions, whether we should do it or not. Our convictions are settled by the Word of God and by our accountability to the Lord Jesus Christ. And so, out of obedience for Christ, we continue to gather and I continue to lead the church in gathering.”
Acts 5:29 says, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”