An Oregon pastor declined to close his church following a COVID outbreak that occurred in the said congregation. The decision of senior pastor Scott Erickson was announced during his Mother's Day sermon, ABC News reported.

Oregon Pastor Refuses to Close Church following COVID Outbreak

Pastor Erickson announced his decision to keep the doors of his church open to those who attended the service and those who are watching the church's live stream online broadcast. Erickson noted that "voices" in their community and region want to close the place of worship.

"Not us, not here, not now. That's not what we're doing," said Erickson in his sermon. Erickson also argued that his decision is anchored on his opinion and is not an "act of defiance."

Erickson argued that they remain "cautious at peoples Church arguing that "they continue to provide a safe and anointed environment" for people who want to experience God's presence. The Oregon pastor also noted that the church is the only hope for their community, region, and state. The Sunday sermon of the pastor marked his return to in-person service after he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Associated Press reported that Erickson, his wife, and 72 others in the congregation tested positive for COVID-19. The COVID outbreak in the church prompted an investigation on April 6. The probe was announced by the Oregon Health Authority on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, an assistant pastor from the People's church announced that the Oregon pastor and his wife contracted the notorious virus. The assistant pastor also announced that the pastor developed pneumonia in his left lung.

"First time in 48 years of ministry that I had to call in sick," said Erickson adding that it was strange for him to miss three Sunday worships in a row. The pastor did not also further on the details of the COVID-19 that he and his wife endured.

Erickson's disagreement in the church's closure comes as the Oregon Health Authority reported 833 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday. The department also announced at least seven more deaths in the state that is related to COVID-19 over the past seven days.

Oregon Pastor vs. Oregon State

The church of the Oregon pastor is one of the ten churches in the state that filed a lawsuit to issue a temporary restraining order against the "Stay Home, Save Lives" order of Governor Kate Brown last year, Salem Reporter reported. The outlet furthered that at that time, the governor's order limited the capacity of gatherings, including religious services, to 25 people.

Church spokesman Brent Kintz told Associated Press in an email that they are concerned about the COVID-19 surge in the state, adding that the "state-wide increase" affected their region and church family.

The current guidelines of Oregon's state allow indoor church services. Wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces are needed to be done.

However, Salem Reporter noted that the April services of the church where the Oregon pastor serves showed attendees and church personnel not wearing masks. Because of this, the church was one of the state's largest newly reported COVID outbreaks.

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