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Greater Exodus Baptist Church is cancelling all in-person services until further notice — including Easter Sunday.
That was in a letter Rev. Herb Lusk sent early this morning.
"I know I am on the wrong side of this publicly," Lusk told KYW Newsradio last week, saying everyone would be seated three to a pew with a 50-person maximum in the church.
Lusk said the church would follow social distancing and provide protective gear. "You’re talking about 50,000 square feet, you’re talking about gloves and face masks," he assured at the time.
"I serve some of the underserved people in this city. Many of my critics have internet. Some of the people that I serve don’t," he previously said.
Lusk said after productive dialogue with Mayor Jim Kenney and Council President Darrell Clarke, the church will now hold a live-streaming service only.
"I know that due to the pandemic, it's the right thing to do. Protecting the health and well-being of our community is paramount," he said in his letter.
Lusk noted that city officials still expect a surge in this region next week and that the the rise in the African American community is particularly alarming.