Last Updated 8/1/2020

Oklahoma City, OK: Wilmont Place Baptist Church is hosting its #51Church initiative in response to recent national abuses related to mandates on churches in response to COVID-19 safety measures. On Sundays at 6:00 p.m. on the steps of the Oklahoma capitol building, Wilmont is inviting all Christians for a peaceful open-air worship event to bring to light the growing government oversight of churches, mosques, and temples.

Most Churches, like other social groups, have worked hard to minimize the spread of Corona and to care for members and guests. Yet, undue restrictions with questionable justification such as the limit of singing and restricting bereavement visits, have placed an undue hardship on caring for the sick, fearful, and vulnerable. Such disregard culminated in the Supreme Court decision on July 24 to uphold Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak's decision to limit churches, regardless of facility size, to 50 people while businesses such as casinos and movie theaters were only limited to 50% capacity. Without a published explanation of their justification, the U.S. Supreme Court set a precedent that churches can be uniquely managed through government oversight.

Oklahoma City: Per Oklahoma City's emergency public safety ordinance passed July 17, 2020, it is mandated by the city that members and guests 11 years old and older attending worship or other events at Wilmont Place Baptist Church wear masks.

Exceptions:
Masks should be worn in Sunday School and during 10:45 a.m. worship while at the same time attempting to maintain a distance of 6 feet from non-family members. Families sitting together but socially distanced from non-family members can remove their masks during worship. Further, worship leaders, pastors, and Sunday School teachers can remove masks during ministry as long as 6 or more feet are between the ministry leader and those in attendance.

Availability:
Wilmont will not be distributing masks to members or guests at this time. Those in attendance should bring their own masks.