Like many pastors and churches, when COVID-19 hit the news and shut down orders spread across the globe, Tim Stephens and Fairview Baptist Church stopped holding services and assessed the situation. Not knowing what they were dealing with, they took every step necessary to use wisdom and prudence in their decision-making. But as it became clear that this virus was not all that the government made it out to be, Tim’s convictions stirred to re-open the church and begin preaching and holding worship services. His decision to re-open had a wide ripple effect that ultimately led to his imprisonment. As a husband, and a father to 8 children, Tim and Raquel Stephens had so much to lose. As fines piled up and public pressure mounted, Tim’s convictions remained anchored. To end the whole ordeal all he had to do was sign an agreement stating that he would not go back and re-open the church. He refused. This interview is the entire story in his own words.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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