North Dakota: 30 Pastors lost jobs as ‘COVID’ shutdown 30 churches
By James Kokulo Fasuekoi|Editor-Publisher
Whenever there’s a count by US authorities concerning businesses hard-hit financially by COVID-19 in America, the church is rarely mentioned. But on Saturday, Dec. 4, a well-known evangelist for the first time revealed at least 30 churches in North Dakota had to shut down due to the plague.
The immediate shutdown of the worship centers because of the COVID also rendered 30 pastors jobless in the northern U.S. state, according to Dr. Judy Fornara, founder and senior pastor of Spiritual Life Church/Bible College in Brookly Center, Minnesota.
Running from call of God
During a Covenant Life Ministerial Organization (CLMO) “Breakfast” meeting under the theme, “REBUILDING THE WALLS” Dr. Judy disclosed that the referenced pastors “decided to quit and go do something else” after their members stopped going to church in the wake of the pandemic.
Further speaking on the challenges and opposition the church faced during the dark era of the COVID pandemic, Dr. Judy also observed: “when the opposition got touch, they [pastors] ran away.”
But “the calling of God isn’t something you can run away from,” maintained Dr. Judy, whom most people considered to be a prophetess.
Dr. Judy who together with her husband, senior pastor Dr. Joe Fornara, also runs a seminary alongside a bible college at Brooklyn Center in Minnesota, has traveled to more than 110 nations worldwide, evangelizing, hosting Christians seminars and training pastors.
Rebuilding the walls
Titled “REBUILDING THE WALLS,” the topic had been drawn from the Gospel of Nehemiah by the meeting’s organizers in order to teach Christians courage and persistent prayer as well as a determination to prevail even in the face of adversity, as was the case with COVID.
Devastated by the sad news Nehemiah had received from his visiting brother Hanani, that the “remnant in Jerusalem was in distress and reproach”; that “the walls of Jerusalem” had been broken down and “its gates burned with fire,” he rose to restore the Jewish nation.
By all accounts, Nehemiah’s aim wasn’t only to restore the physical “walls” of Jerusalem but also, the spiritual “wall” of his people which was no more.
Using wisdom, Nehemiah prayed for four months as he set out to the Jewish capital to commence works on the walls of Jerusalem, where he would meet with stiff opposition from the enemies-Sanballat, (the Horonite), Tobiah, (the servant, Ammonite), and Geshem, (the Arabian), Nehemiah 2:10, 19; 4:3, 8.
Saturday’s event was divided into four sections, each with a sub-topic, under one or two lecturers, linking to the overall theme REBUILDING THE WALLS. Pastors Joe and Judy Fornara made their presentation on “Principles of Rebuilding” while Pastor Nancy Sky lectured on “Making Yourself Available of Ministry.”
The other two sub-topics were: “Are You Choosing Comfort over Calling?” by Pastor Nancy Peterson, the CLMO’s deputy leader, and Bro. Thad Brenny on “The Importance of Technology in Rebuilding.”
Churches ordered shutdown
When the global COVID pandemic hit the U.S. and started killing people daily at an alarming rate, local states authorities ordered “churches” plus other worship centers in North America to shut down.
Authorities, following series of deliberations had termed the “church” and all other worships places across America as “nonessential” entities.
Interestingly, by contrast, many other businesses such as restaurants and liquor stores were given green light to stay opened and operate.
At first, scores of church leaders throughout the nation challenged the directive while many immediately complied with the Fed’s and governors’ orders.
Yet, a couple remained in the loop and continued their worship but in smaller units, only closing down when their congregation could no longer show up. Others clung to a virtual “internet service” form of worship and still do even today.
Doing it God’s way
In spite of opposition some churches stood firmed, continuing their worship outdoors and along the sidewalks in the snow. This apparently didn’t offend the authorities. Spiritual Life Church and a sister church called Agape Love Church, of St. Paul, MN, were among churches that worshipped outdoor.
Their move wasn’t in anyway a defiant to rules authorities had laid out. Rather, they considered to hear from the LORD God and do according to His will.
“God never told the church to slow down or stop!” Pastor Judy told the audience during Saturday’s events and encouraged everyone to stay strong in the Lord.
Dr. Judy informed the gathering that consisted of pastors and evangelists; bulk of whom had come from other churches in Minnesota that Spiritual Life was among churches in the U.S. that remained opened throughout the pandemic.
“We stayed open and prayed like Nehemiah,” she said, adding, “And the church came back strong.”
Church in fighting times
Pastor Judy believes that the “church” or Christianity has reached a period in world’s history she described as “a fighting time” which could be compared to the days of Noah, a time people paid no attention, and rebelled against the living God.
“In the days of Noah, everybody did their own thing…there was lots of rebellion. The second greatest sin of Noah’s time was the crime of robbery. They were not only killing people but they were robbing people. We are in those last days.”
Unfortunately, many Christians do not appear to see such reality, less alone view events from such perspectives as Pastor Judy’s and that seems to grieve her.
She believes that the church, or Christians as a whole in America, have given in to “the mentality” that ‘all they need to do is to be saved and do nothing else.’ That’s wrong.
For Judy, getting saved alone shouldn’t be all to one’s Christianity. “No! …you are saved …you get other people saved, and you keep them strong.”
Church helping the needy
She lamented the current plights of many Americans and pointed out that they stand in need more of prayers. This category includes those who became incapacitated by the plague and ended up hospitalized, while their finances and families got disrupted.
Pastors in the Minneapolis area, she said, are very busy praying for people because, accordingly, “it’s the job of the church to stand with people; to [show] love [to the] people and stand with them; walk them through their problem.”
She believes that the “church wall” in America will rise again, meaning, “the church will ride through as far as the economy” is concerned.
In the same manner, she advised Christians to maintain faith and always have a house of prayer while making sure they pay their tithes [and offerings] so the devil won’t lay claims to their finances, or health.
In the end, the group held hands and prayed together for the wellbeing of the churches and America.
ALL PHOTOS BY JAMES KOKULO FASUEKOI
Editor’s note:
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