Pastor sends family to Kenya to flee Christian persecution in Canada.

A Canadian Pastor’s Fight for Freedom

A Canadian pastor has taken drastic measures to protect his family’s freedom ⁤after facing government persecution for attending a protest. Harold⁣ Ristau, a decorated veteran and seminary professor, participated in a trucker convoy against lockdowns last February. Now, he and his family have⁢ been forced to relocate to Kenya to escape the government’s‌ oppressive​ response to Covid dissent.

Ristau is part of a lawsuit arguing that the government’s treatment of dissent as terrorism violated Canadians’ fundamental rights. ​The fight is far from over,‍ according to Marty​ Moore,‌ a lawyer ​for the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), who is litigating Ristau’s case. Lockdown litigation is expected to continue for ​several ‍more years.

“There’s no protection, if​ a pandemic started tomorrow, from future ‍mandates. So that’s why I was really open to coming here,” said Elise Ristau, Harold’s wife, in a recent video interview from Kenya.

In addition to facing government repression, the Ristau family ⁤has also dealt with social ostracism and discrimination. ​Their children were mocked at school for their religious and political‌ views. After enduring over two years of severe repression, the Ristaus made ⁣the⁢ difficult decision to ‌move to Kenya last August.

Confiscating Dissenters’ Life Savings

The Canadian government has used debanking to punish⁣ dissent, freezing ⁣the bank accounts⁢ of convoy participants and their supporters. This collaboration between the government and banks has been described as fascist. Similar actions have been taken in other Western‌ countries, with banks ‍closing accounts over individuals’ political views.

Treating a‍ Veteran Like a Terrorist

Ristau’s experience highlights the government’s alarming treatment of peaceful protesters as terrorists. He faced threats to his security clearance and the confiscation of his ⁢retirement savings and⁤ children’s college funds. The government’s use ‌of anti-terrorism measures against peaceful demonstrators has caused serious damage to Ristau’s reputation, career, and friendships.

State-Run Western Churches

Lockdowns in Canada⁣ have disproportionately targeted churches, while allowing other‌ establishments to remain open. The government’s restrictions on worship have caused deep divisions within the church.‌ Many ⁢pastors have failed to‌ seek reconciliation and repentance, as commanded in ⁣the Bible.

Religious Freedom Better in Africa

The Ristaus’ decision to move to Kenya was influenced by the difficulty of raising their children in a rapidly secularizing Western culture. In Canada, Christians often face discrimination and are required to compromise their faith to access ⁤government grants and licensing credentials. Kenya offers a more welcoming environment for Christians, where traditional values are‌ still upheld.

Christians Welcome in⁤ Kenya

Despite the challenges they have faced, the Ristaus are ‌grateful for the opportunity to live in Kenya. They believe it is a place where they can freely practice ​their faith without fear of persecution. While they acknowledge ‍the country’s issues with poverty and corruption, they feel it⁣ is a better environment for their ​family’s spiritual well-being.