Christians heave sigh of relief as Oyo churches reopen

Like birds let out of a cage after a long while, several Christians in Oyo State stormed their various parishes to shout Hallelujah, Hosanna to God, on Sunday.

At various churches visited in Ibadan, worshippers were seen dancing with glee, choristers singing in high pitch, instrumentalists giving instruments the beating of their lives and speakers booming loud with sounds from ministers of God.

From orthodox to pentecostal churches, it was indeed shouts of victory for many worshippers who were last in the church in March.

The Oyo State government had last week lifted the ban on religious gatherings but added that churches must adhere to COVID-19 protocols and operate at 25 per cent capacity.

However, amid the joy of once again being in church, worshippers had to embrace a new normal way of entering and worshipping in church.

In adhering to COVID-19 precautions, worshippers were mandated to approach hand washing points to wash their hands and use an alcohol-based sanitizer.

This is just as worshippers were requested to wear face masks before entering churches while seating arrangement was in adherence to social distancing.

Unique about services on Sunday was the fact that services which typically lasted hours were done in just about an hour.

The story of the new normal was similar from parishes of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), the Catholic Church, Living Faith Church, Christ Apostolic Church, Christ Reformed Apostolic Christian Assembly, Kingdom Glory Prayer Ministries, among others.

While expressing joy at the resumption of church services, Mary Glorious of RCCG and Kingsley Chibogwu of Christ Reformed Apostolic Christian Assembly said members of their churches observed all COVID-19 protocols.

In the same vein, Michael Bello of New Testament church and Femi Omotoso of St Leo Catholic Church, Ibadan, noted that it was interesting that services/masses were brief.

On her part, Adebayo Itunu of Kingdom Glory Prayer Ministries, Akobo and Olufunke Olayiwola of Living Faith Church, Eleyele described as awesome being in God’s presence, after a while.

Meanwhile, some churches like IGEM Christ Covenant Church still had live streaming of services while others like Atanda Baptist Church, Ilora and Rising Sun ministry, Oyo town still held cell/house fellowship with parishioners expressing optimism that services in their churches will resume next week.

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