Legal Defence for Trinity Bible Chapel Elders
Donation protected
My name is Zachary Smith and my wife and I have had the pleasure of being shepherded by the elders of Trinity Bible Chapel for nearly 8 years. We know them to be men of integrity, principle, faith, conviction, and compassion who have a deep love for Christ and his church. These 6 men have boldly led us through the confusing and unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, faithfully discharging their work as elders in accordance with God's holy word, the Bible. They are law-abiding, gentle, strong men who desire to live in peace in our society and build it up, not see it destroyed.
In doing this important work, the elders sent an open letter to various civic leaders in our city and region on December 3rd, 2020 stating that they would not be closing Trinity Bible Chapel in the event of a government lockdown requiring such a thing. A link to the letter, along with any other link referenced in this description, are available at the end of this description. There are several very good reasons for this decision, all of which are described in the open letter. On December 26th, Ontario entered into a lockdown, limiting "religious gatherings" to a maximum of 10 people. In accordance with their open letter and convictions, our elders refused to close Trinity's doors. We gathered at 30% of our building capacity (a pre-lockdown restriction) on Sunday, December 27th, where Jacob (our head pastor) was warned that he would be charged as a result by two police officers who surveilled our service from the parking lot. Later in the week, on December 30th, police officers with the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) visited each elder at his home and gave him a summons to court, where they will be charged under the Reopening Ontario Act. More information on this can be found in the church's press release, which is linked to in this description. I will also add updates here as they come. Praise the Lord that we may share, in a small way, in his sufferings!
The purpose of this GoFundMe is to raise funds to pay the fines of our elders, should they be found guilty. Any money raised above and beyond the amount needed to cover these expenses will go to Trinity Bible Chapel. Each of the elders may be fined up to $10,000, in addition to the church corporation receiving fines. I have set the goal amount at $100,000 to cover this and any additional costs, such as legal fees and added fines. Thank you for your generosity, and may God bless you as you run the race and remain faithful to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ!
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
Please Note: Please use this GoFundMe to help the Elders of Trinity pay their fines personally. If you would like to help Trinity Bible Chapel, the corporate charity, pay its fines, please visit: https://trinitybiblechapel.ca/give/give-online where donation tax receipts are given for donations of any size.
Links:
https://trinitybiblechapel.ca/here-we-stand-the-church-must-meet/
https://trinitybiblechapel.ca/press-release/
https://www.jccf.ca/justice-centre-to-defend-ontario-churches-targeted-by-police-for-church-service
In doing this important work, the elders sent an open letter to various civic leaders in our city and region on December 3rd, 2020 stating that they would not be closing Trinity Bible Chapel in the event of a government lockdown requiring such a thing. A link to the letter, along with any other link referenced in this description, are available at the end of this description. There are several very good reasons for this decision, all of which are described in the open letter. On December 26th, Ontario entered into a lockdown, limiting "religious gatherings" to a maximum of 10 people. In accordance with their open letter and convictions, our elders refused to close Trinity's doors. We gathered at 30% of our building capacity (a pre-lockdown restriction) on Sunday, December 27th, where Jacob (our head pastor) was warned that he would be charged as a result by two police officers who surveilled our service from the parking lot. Later in the week, on December 30th, police officers with the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) visited each elder at his home and gave him a summons to court, where they will be charged under the Reopening Ontario Act. More information on this can be found in the church's press release, which is linked to in this description. I will also add updates here as they come. Praise the Lord that we may share, in a small way, in his sufferings!
The purpose of this GoFundMe is to raise funds to pay the fines of our elders, should they be found guilty. Any money raised above and beyond the amount needed to cover these expenses will go to Trinity Bible Chapel. Each of the elders may be fined up to $10,000, in addition to the church corporation receiving fines. I have set the goal amount at $100,000 to cover this and any additional costs, such as legal fees and added fines. Thank you for your generosity, and may God bless you as you run the race and remain faithful to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ!
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
Please Note: Please use this GoFundMe to help the Elders of Trinity pay their fines personally. If you would like to help Trinity Bible Chapel, the corporate charity, pay its fines, please visit: https://trinitybiblechapel.ca/give/give-online where donation tax receipts are given for donations of any size.
Links:
https://trinitybiblechapel.ca/here-we-stand-the-church-must-meet/
https://trinitybiblechapel.ca/press-release/
https://www.jccf.ca/justice-centre-to-defend-ontario-churches-targeted-by-police-for-church-service
Organizer and beneficiary
Zachary Smith
Organizer
Andrew Johnston
Beneficiary