A California pastor received a standing ovation when he welcomed his congregation to a worship service he described as a “peaceful protest.”
John MacArthur, the pastor of Grace Community Church in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Sun Valley, welcomed his congregation Sunday morning in defiance of the state’s order that the church remain closed because of coronavirus concerns.
“Good morning, everyone. I’m so happy to welcome you to the Grace Community Church peaceful protest,” he said, which was met with a standing ovation and cheers.
Some leaders across the country have condemned social gatherings over coronavirus fears while condoning protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in police custody on Memorial Day.
“Are you glad to be here? Everything for us is based on the Word of God, right? And that means we are pro-life, pro-family, pro-law and order, and pro-church of the Lord Jesus Christ,” MacArthur continued, before sharing that Chaplain Martin Morehouse of the Los Angeles Police Department would lead the church in prayer.
MacArthur announced at the end of July in a post titled “Christ, not Caesar, Is Head of the Church“ that Grace Community Church would reopen despite Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom ordering all counties on the state’s coronavirus watchlist to close indoor activities, including church services.
“Christ is Lord of all. He is the one true head of the church (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18),” MacArthur wrote. “He is also King of kings — sovereign over every earthly authority (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16). Grace Community Church has always stood immovably on those biblical principles. As His people, we are subject to His will and commands as revealed in Scripture. Therefore we cannot and will not acquiesce to a government-imposed moratorium on our weekly congregational worship or other regular corporate gatherings. Compliance would be disobedience to our Lord’s clear commands.”
Another church in California held worship services on Sunday despite a judge’s two-week temporary restraining order against services.
“We’re going to keep worshiping God. If they seek to arrest me and the thousand of you, it’s almost like the first thousand get a prize: You get a citation. It’s a misdemeanor. You want to be one of the thousand? Come,” said Rob McCoy, the pastor of Godspeak Calvary Chapel, ahead of the services.
Churches weren’t the only establishments targeted in Newsom’s mid-July order. Gyms, beauty salons, and indoor restaurant dining were also banned in certain California counties.
