California Pastor Defies State Coronavirus Orders, Keeps Church Open

Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Los Angeles County claimed this week that he won't follow Governor Gavin Newsom's July order that churches in California stop holding indoor services, even though the religious leader says he's been told fines or arrest could be next for him.

Appearing on Fox News Monday night, MacArthur said Newsom has gone too far, and he described the order to stop indoor religious services as "draconian."

"Governor Newsom is not the head of the church," he said. "(Jesus) is the head of our church."

Pastor MacArthur has received support from a well-known leader in the Christian faith. Franklin Graham is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief organization. The son of the late Evangelist Billy Graham via Twitter recently encouraged members of the Grace Community Church congregation to stand behind MacArthur attend Sunday services.

On the other hand, a self-described "fellow minister of the gospel" in Southern California, Pastor Gavin Ortlund of First Baptist Church of Ojal, wrote in an opinion piece that he believes MacArthur is putting the desire for worship above the safety of the people who attend Grace Community Church.

MacArthur responded by saying that never before has the government told leaders and members of a church that they can't meet or sing. "There's no power given to the government to make those kinds of calls against us," he insisted. "We love our neighbors, we're not spreading anything but the gospel."


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