The day after a California appeals court ordered Grace Community Church to close its doors, Pastor John MacArthur welcomed thousands of churchgoers into the building for an in-person service. He’s been doing so for several weeks in spite of a back-and-forth battle with Los Angeles County over its coronavirus restrictions.

In response, California officials have threatened to fine MacArthur and his church’s staff, and the county even warned it could turn off the church’s water and power if necessary. But MacArthur has continued to preach a simple message: “Christ, not Caesar, is head of the church.”