Developing Stories: Shutting Down a Church Revival Meeting

Shutting Down a Church Revival Meeting
Gallup, New Mexico, June 26, 2020

Gallup Fire Marshal Jesus Morales (left) speaks to a pastor who pitched a tent to hold a church revival in Gallup, New Mexico. Many Diné visit and live in the area. Morales informed the pastor of New Mexico’s public health order prohibiting mass gatherings. Acknowledging the health risk, the pastor agreed to conduct services outside the tent with people remaining in their vehicles. Religious gatherings have been considered inherently risky during the pandemic. The Navajo tribe’s COVID-19 outbreak has been traced to a church gathering in Chilchinbeto, Arizona, on March 7, 2020. Chilchinbeto is located 136 miles northwest of Gallup.