SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. — A Christian pastor in the southeast Valley is changing course two days before Easter Sunday.
Pastor Nathan Bentley of Life Point Church originally planned to hold in-person services on Sunday on the lawn outside the church.
"We looked at what we were capable of doing with social distancing, gloves, masks, being outdoors, and said, 'You know, we can do this,'" Bentley said.
His decision received nationwide publicity. He said he never intended to cause controversy.
"After much prayer and discussion, we said, 'Let’s reverse course, let’s hold a live stream only,'" Bentley said.
When asked if he feels he was forced to capitulate to public pressure, Bentley said he didn’t think so.
“I misread the pulse of the community. If I’m not serving the community, if I’m angering and endangering the community, then the community let me know that,” Bentley said.
