After California Governor Gavin Newsom threatened church leaders with prison time if they disobey his orders to limit worship services, Pastor John MacArthur is fighting back. The Grace Community Church pastor is taking a stand for Christ and our American way of life.
“I’m open for a jail ministry. I’ve done a lot of other ministries and I haven’t had the chance to do that one. So, bring it on!” Pastor MacArthur said after receiving a letter from the Democrat Governor.
Governor Newsom Threatens California Pastor With Six Months In Jail
The letter MacArthur referred to threatened a fine and up to six months in jail for holding worship services in defiance of California’s coronavirus lockdown.
Governor Newsom has essentially given Black Lives Matter protestors and leftwing anarchists a red carpet welcome in the Golden State to gather in large crowds, but he pushes choking restrictions on places of worship.
Pastor MacArthur made a direct reference to this hypocrisy and anti-Christian bigotry at a recent service.
He welcomed parishioners to his “peaceful protest”:
John MacArthur: “Welcome to our ‘peaceful protest’”: pic.twitter.com/knjNkwZ5x6
— Phil Johnson (@Phil_Johnson_) August 9, 2020
Related: 90-Year-Old Jesus Statue Toppled And Beheaded In Texas
Governor Newsom Lifts Restrictions On Sports But Not California Churches
Newsom has also lifted restrictions for football teams so they can play. He has allowed restaurants to reopen.
But, he hasn’t extended that “courtesy” to people of faith so they can worship together. If it is safe to eat a restaurant, it is safe to attend church.
If Governor Newsom can lift Covid19 restrictions so football games can go on, Why not do same so churches can meet?!https://t.co/vUKVqDOLM3
— Steven Morris (@Stevemissions) September 17, 2020
Religious liberty is protected under the First Amendment. If it applies to liberal protestors, it applies to churches as well.
This type of religious discrimination is patently unconstitutional, and punitive against Christians. California isn’t even hiding their contempt for Christ’s people anymore. It’s obvious.
Pastor MacArthur says he will not be bullied into giving up his religious freedom or worshipping Christ with his flock.
If he is jailed for leading his church as he sees fit, he will take his ministry behind bars and convert and counsel others.
You can hear Pastor John MacArthur react to Governor Newsom’s threats in the tweeted video below.
John MacArthur not worried about threats of jail for holding church services: “I’m open for a jail ministry … bring it on” https://t.co/DYr6pzGkue pic.twitter.com/vnZm9qyoSW
— Disrn (@DisrnNews) September 16, 2020
Pelosi’s Archbishop Protests Discrimination Against Churches
Pastor MacArthur isn’t alone. Months after many Christians around the country were legally barred from worshipping during our most Holy day, Easter, Church leaders are starting to fight back.
Nancy Pelosi’s own Archbishop is also pushing back against the restrictive regulations on worshipping.
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone issued a call to protest on Sunday, September 21st and defy the order by gathering to celebrate Mass.
Backstory: Nancy Pelosi’s Archbishop Rallies The People To Protest Restrictions On Worship
Earlier this month, Pelosi violated restrictions by asking a salon to open for her to get a blowout.
She doubled down on her political elitism by violating the mask mandate that she advocates for. She even invented a conspiracy theory about the salon “setting her up.”
So far, Nancy Pelosi has been silent on her Archbishop Cordileone’s protest.
The left has used this opportunity as a power grab and a means of silencing people of faith as we head into November’s elections. But, Christians and churches are fighting back.
We should all be so lucky to have a faith leader who is willing to do the right thing, even in the face of punishment from the government.
Governor Newsom and California would do well to learn that no politician and no government is above our Lord.