OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) - — Many churches across the metro closed Sunday in an effort to stop the spread of the Coronavirus.
But Salem Baptist Church Senior Pastor Selwyn Q. Bachus says he wants people to have faith now more than ever.
"God is still in control," he said. "And in spite of what's going on we believe that God has the last say."
Like so many other churches in the area, Salem closed its doors, however their service still went on thanks to live streaming on Facebook.
Other churches like Ambassador's Worship Center and Christ Community Church also offered virtual church services.
"We're grateful for that opportunity but to be very honest, nothing replaces the communal aspect of gathering together for worship," Pastor Bachus said.
Bachus, who's been a pastor for more than two decades says he noticed the role of technology in the church drastically change over the past 10 years.
"I saw it becoming a part of the life of the church, but never thought that there would come a day where for many churches it would be the sole opportunity for us to worship," he said.
Following the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for limiting public gatherings to 250 people or less, the Archdiocese of Omaha is no longer obligating Catholics to attend mass.
St. Gerald Catholic Church still held mass Sunday morning, but limited the amount of people inside.
"They preached about [how] God's trying to show us something and he's going to take care of everything," Member Jane Kovac said. "[I] think we take a lot of stuff for granted you know and everybody's panicking you know, you're supposed to learn from it."
Kovac has been a member of St. Gerald for more than 30 years.
"God's going to take care of everything, absolutely it's your faith," she said.
"I believe that we aught to have faith that no matter how it looks right now that God is going to get us through this," Pastor Bachus said.
Pastor Bachus tells 3 News Now his church is working to improve its technology should the public gathering limit persist.
He says, for now all church activities are canceled.