KNYSNA NEWS - The Easter weekend is traditionally the busiest weekend in the country as Christians across South Africa flock to their places of worship. However, this year president Cyril Ramaphosa called on church leaders not to convene gatherings during the lockdown.

This prompted local churches to spread the word of God online. Among these were the Calvary Bible Church, Kingdom City South Africa, Emmanuel Church and the AFM Ivengeli Loxolo.

Pastor Siphelele Lufele of the AFM Ivengeli Loxolo in White Location said his church abided by the president's call as the Bible teaches that leaders have to be obeyed. “Because of the current situation in the world we decided to do what the president of the country wanted from us,” Lufele said.

“So we decided to use Facebook to share the service so that all our members could watch and participate in the service,” he added.

A member of Lufele's congregation, Beauty Zondani, said her Easter weekend was good because she could still get to see her pastor conducting his service on Facebook. “We did not go to church but we heard the service at the comfort of our homes,” she said.

She added that even though she missed being in church, that the Facebook sermon still satisfied her needs. “I listened to the service and it was nice. We heard the word of God during this time.”

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