By Mat Staver -
One year ago, in a land founded upon religious freedom, many governors began banning or severely restricting worship in churches. When Americans refused to forfeit religious freedom, politicians turned up the heat.
Pastors faced arrest and churchgoers were put on the equivalent of 14-day house arrest, and those at Harvest Rock Church in California were threatened with one-year terms in prison.
And in Chicago, Illinois, Mayor Lori Lightfoot had the audacity to try to seize and destroy Elim Romanian Pentecostal’s beautiful church building. Her Notice of Summary Abatement against Elim still stands.
Mayor Lightfoot threatened to tear down Elim’s church buildings if more than 10 people met in its 1,300-seat sanctuary.
So, God gave Elim more attendees … and a bigger church in which to worship!
Attendance at Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church of Chicago has exploded since the Illinois government began its persecution. Where officials once tried to force all but 10 people at a time from the church, God filled Elim’s sanctuary. When that sanctuary filled to overflowing, God gave them a larger sanctuary!
Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church announced that, by the grace of God, they will soon be dedicating a new, larger sanctuary—one big enough to hold all the souls God keeps sending through their doors!
Romans 8:28 tells us, “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” ALL things, even the actions of rogue politicians, cannot thwart God’s plan.
In attempting to silence the church, anti-church politicians' actions expanded the church! Despite darkness and threats of destruction, there’s a growing revival in Chicago! Praise the Lord!
Proverbs 28:20 tells us, “A faithful man will abound with blessings.”
Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church isn’t the only church to have been blessed by their steadfast commitment to keep preaching. One year after the COVID shutdowns and the attack on our churches began, I see God’s promises being fulfilled coast to coast among His faithful.
Each of the pastors we represent in church freedom cases are reporting renewal and revival in their churches at a time when some other churches (which remained closed) have declined. I will tell more of our church clients’ hope-filled stories soon.
Our case of the Romanian churches continues. We will soon be filing more legal pleadings in federal court to permanently stop Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker from ever returning to his unconstitutional ways.
More HERE
