The COVID-19 pandemic led to cancellation of all in-person worship services, the closure of Sunday Schools, as well as the postponement of pilgrimages surrounding observances and festivals in Uganda.
Many churches now conduct their services through livestream among other digital methods amidst the pandemic.
For Pastor Hanning Mutukiriza of Kampala Bible Revelation Church, adherence to guidelines on preventive measures against Covid-19, is not a sign that the Church has lost its faith in God’s power.
Quoting Romans 13:2-3, Pastor Hanning states that the Church needs to ‘obey those in authority, for that’s what the Bible teaches.’
“The born again closed their church buildings and yet we know that God has given us power over all the powers of the devil and He has put all those powers under our feet. A number of born again are having a challenge to explain (if they have to) the reason they closed their church buildings yet they claim that they have power to heal all sickness,” Pastor Hanning said in a release on 12 May, 2020.
“We have seen all form of healing of diseases and torments. There is no disease that is above the name of Jesus obviously. We closed our church buildings because we obey the rulers or the authorities and leaders of government. While we owe no man any explanation, we ourselves have to be at peace when we close our church buildings,” he added.
“We did it because we obey the rulers. We did not close them because we feared any disease, it is not because we lost our faith,” Pastor Hanning went on.
The preacher urges that, ‘all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ (Romans 8:28).
“When we closed our church buildings, our homes became churches, there are brethren today who are standing stronger than ever because their faith has grown. Others have separated church buildings from their faith. They are not born again because they go to a church building. Others, who had daily services, now stand by faith without them,” he said.
“Those who used to be prayed for time and again have learnt to stand on God’s word on their own. Those born again who used to lack, a number of them have discovered the secrets of divine supplies and provisions. In short, the church of Jesus is growing and getting stronger even when the buildings are locked,” he urged.
The Pastor quoted among other scriptures 1 Peter 2: 17 which says, “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”
