Yuma church among first in Arizona to reopen its doors

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - After six weeks of drive-in and online church, a local Yuma church resumes worship services back inside of their building - as a trial run for Yuma County.

This morning’s grand re-opening services were made possible with the help of Arizona Representative Tim Dunn.

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We did it! We cannot thank AZ Governor @dougducey and member of Arizona House of Representatives Tim Dunn awarding us such a phenomenal gift to test out the first in-house services in Arizona! We cannot thank our Champion family enough for ensuring that all recommended safety guidelines were followed throughout. We also thank all local health & medical department authorities and professionals for their information and guidance to ensure the safest environment for all in attendance. Thank you to all that joined us online as we experienced technical difficulties that we hope to overcome for future services. These are new waters and we are blessed, not stressed, and will continue to thrive where God leads us! #championchurch #championchurchyuma #wearethechampions #yumaaz #welcomehome

A post shared by ChampionChurch.org (@championchurch) on May 3, 2020 at 11:59am PDT

Worshipers are happy to be back, in their sanctuary, Sunday morning.

Polly Aitken has attended the church for 10 years.

“When we got the word that we could actually come back inside… Everybody was jumping up and down, we were so incredibly thankful,” she exclaimed.

Steve Bloomfield is the Senior Pastor of Champion Church.

“The great advantage that we have is that State Representative Tim Dunn is also a board member here at champion church and he’s been part of this church and the founding member of this church the last 16 years,” Bloomfield said.

Arizona Representative Tim Dunn of District 13 supports the re-opening of places of worship.

“I told the church last sunday, with businesses opening up its time to really push the governor and get clearance on even though they said churches aren’t closed because it’s bigger than groups of 10, how can they do that?” Dunn said.

Despite not being six feet a part, they are following certain measures - even though they are not required to.

Everyone who attends service will need to wear a mask and should practice social distancing.

"These are all things that we do from the moment you pull up. If people don’t have a mask we have one we can give them," Aitken added.

The church also providing hand sanitizer at the doors.

“We don’t have to do these things specifically, they weren’t in the rules but we have chosen to do that; because, in an abundance of caution, we want to be a good example,” the Senior Pastor added.

The pastoral team is grateful for the support from their congregation.

“We’re just really really blessed that we have this opportunity to open back up to the community and be everything God has called us to be. To just really uplift people's spirits, to bring hope - that’s what it’s truly all about,” said LaCinda Bloomfield.

As far as capacity goes, the 10am service this morning did not have any empty seats. Church services will continue from inside the building next Sunday.