Arkansas Church Vows To Hold Services This Weekend: “Jesus Died With COVID-19 So That You Don’t Have To”

Newsweek reports:



A church in Arkansas plans to continue holding services this weekend despite federal and state guidelines against holding gatherings of more than 10 people amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Awaken Church in Jonesboro claimed in a Wednesday evening Facebook post that Jesus was the “first death of Covid-19,” the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The post included an image of a cross wrapped in a white sash against a sunset background, with the words “Jesus died with COVID-19 so that you didn’t have to bear it.”

“The Dept of Health has stated that all gatherings of ten or more do not apply to houses of worship and yet suggest to follow CDC safe practices, of which we are doing,” the church wrote in a Facebook post.