“Without hope, people have nothing”: Pastor criticizes Alberta COVID-19 response
Heights Baptist Church in Medicine Hat, Alberta is another religious institution that is continuing to defy the restrictions put on places of worship by Premier Jason Kenney and the provincial government.
Here at GraceLife Church in Parkland County, Alberta where their Pastor James Coates is on his 6th day of custody after turning himself him on Tuesday for holding service.
— Lincoln Jay (@lincolnmjay) February 21, 2021
Service is starting in a few hours, no police presence yet. @RebelNewsOnline pic.twitter.com/LRFahvFl9y
Current restrictions in Alberta state that places of worship are allowed to have congregants at 15 per cent of the fire code capacity. Those following our recent coverage at Rebel News know that pastor James Coates of GraceLife church in Edmonton has been in custody for over a week now, after being charged with violating health orders because he did not limit the size of his congregation.
Here in Medicine Hat, Alberta at Heights Baptist Church. Another church in Alberta that believes holding Sunday Service is an essential service.
— Lincoln Jay (@lincolnmjay) February 28, 2021
More to come. @RebelNewsOnline pic.twitter.com/JjLBC6ID16
In this video, I have a quick word with the pastor of Heights Baptist Church, Patrick Schoenberger, and some of his congregants, to find out exactly why they believe it is essential for them to attend Sunday service.

Lincoln Jay
Video Journalist
Born and raised west of Toronto in the city of Mississauga, Lincoln Jay joined Rebel News as a videographer in August 2020. While specializing in video editing and camera work, Lincoln has also expanded into reporting and presenting his own stories. With stories from Calgary, Alberta all the way to London, England, you can expect a wide variety of content in his reports.
https://twitter.com/lincolnmjay