Amid coronavirus concerns, the Awakening Church joined others in the Athens area, the state and nation taking part in Sunday’s National Day of Prayer declared by President Trump.
Pastor Travis Gay says they are following government guidelines.
‘We follow under the government’s suggested protocol of less than 250 people and we’ll honor the government’s requirements, but ultimately we believe that the most powerful thing we can do is come together to pray.”
Members and visitors were met by a greeter with hand sanitizer at the door.
Gay says such gatherings on behalf of others is a part of the church fabric.
“Throughout the church history, the church has been the ones that go to the leper colonies, they go to the hospitals and pray when nobody else will,” according to Gay.
“If you are trusting in yourself to survive, then panic-stricken is what happens and it’s a legitimate fear, but Jesus is, for us as Christians, He is greater than those fears.”
The pastor does not take health concerns lightly, and he has a particular interest in health and fitness since he owns a personal training business as well.
“We’re taking those precautions and understand how epidemiology works.”
Government recommendations have changed since the church service, to groups 50 or less. Athens pastors have called this Wednesday a day of prayer and fasting due to coronavirus.