All over the world , cross – over services are significant events that usher in a New Year . Cross – over services hold majorly in churches on the night of December 31 every year and Christians usually gather to pray and worship their Maker for the gift of a brand New Year . As a custom , the services start a few hours before 12 am and end some minutes after 12 am .
But with the reality of the COVID- 19 pandemic which has disrupted livelihood and ways of doing things , the cross – over services into the year 2021 will be different in many ways as global health authorities discourage large gatherings to curb the spread of the virus .
In Nigeria , state governments like Ogun, Lagos , Osun , Cross River , amongst others have warned churches against holding cross – over services this Thursday , insisting that the 12 am to 4 am curfew imposed by the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 subsists. The PTF also stressed the need to maintain social distancing , use of face masks and hand sanitisers as Nigeria battles the second wave of the virus .
Following these directives , leading Christian clerics in the country have adjusted their cross – over services with many opting for the virtual experience .
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God , Pastor Enoch Adeboye , on Monday , said the church ’ s cross – over service would start by 6 pm .
In a Facebook post on his verified page , the 78 – year – old cleric wrote , “ God has been so good to us . He has kept us despite the many hurdles of this year . It is time to crossover gallantly into 2021 . Be a part of the crossover service and be empowered for the year 2021 . ”
The post was accompanied by a flyer which has 6 pm as the commencement time , while members were encouraged to link up with the service online.
A top official of the church who spoke with The PUNCH on the condition of anonymity said , “ There is no physical cross – over service ; we are linking with Daddy (Adeboye ) virtually . ”
Also , the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries led by Dr Daniel Olukoya said the church ’ s cross – over service would hold physically between 9 pm and 11 pm while it would continue virtually into the New Year .
A circular dated December 29 , 2020 , and signed by Pastor Gbesan Adebambo , the church ’ s Assistant General Overseer in charge of Administration, partly read , “The leadership of this ministry has directed that , in view of the government safety and health regulations, coupled with the imposed curfew between 12 am and 4 am , the cross – over night service on the 31 st of December , 2020 , would now hold from 9 pm to 11 pm on Thursday . ”
The Living Faith Church Worldwide aka Winners ’ Chapel led by Bishop David Oyedepo has also said the church ’ s cross – over service would hold between 6 pm and 8 pm .
A member of the church who craved anonymity confirmed this to The PUNCH . “ My pastor announced it on Sunday and he said it was the instruction from CanaanLand , ” the member said.
Lagos – based church , Covenant Christian Centre , said the crossover service of the church would hold physically between 7 pm and 9 pm.
The senior pastor of the church , Poju Oyemade , stated this in a broadcast on Tuesday , adding that a second service would hold virtually and would be televised between 11 pm to 1 am .
Furthermore, the Deeper Christian Life Ministry led by Pastor William Kumuyi would hold cross – over service starting from 10 pm .
“ We are having it based on district and location basis. We are not going to have large gatherings like the previous years . We are starting by 10 pm , ” said an official of the church who said he was not permitted to speak on the matter .
Lagos – based church , Daystar Christian Centre led by Pastor Sam Adeyemi , has also announced that the church ’ s cross – over service would hold strictly online between 7 pm and 9 pm on Thursday .
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the PTF said religious leaders are sabotaging its response to Covid management in Nigeria by holding large gatherings .
But the Christian Association of Nigeria has since urged its members to comply with the directives of governments at federal and sub -national levels .
With the cross – over services approaching, many state governments are expected to deploy enforcement teams to religious centres to ensure compliance with the protocols outlined by the authorities .
Nigeria has recorded over 85 , 000 Covid infections including more than 1 , 200 associated fatalities , according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
