Pastor Che Ahn of Harvest Rock Church and attorney Mat Staver argue California Gov. Gavin Newsom implemented the 'worst restrictions of any state.'
This is an unofficial transcript meant for reference. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jedediah, more churches, in
Jedediah, more churches in
California are joining the fight
against Gavin Newsoms in person,
worship
asking the Supreme Court to
intervene, arguing the ban is a
violation of the first
amendment
joining me now, with more liberty,
counsel, founder Harvest Rock
pastor.
Thank you both for being here
greatly appreciate it.
Matt lets start with you just
from a legal perspective,
just discuss your plans with
respect to the first amendment
and what you are hoping to get
here in terms of an injunction
well good morning.
This particular situation is the
worst in the country.
In fact, California, Governor
Gavin Newsom, has the worst
restrictions of any state right
now, no worship in much of the
state of California.
If you meet
with one person any covers much
of careful it, a criminal penalty
up to a year in prison and a
daily fine of one thousand dollars.
We have a letter from the
Pasadena prosecutor to pastor
and harvest rock church, threaten
daily criminal charges,
daily fines to the pastor, the
staff and the parishioners,
and we also have a letter from
the local Pasadena authorities
enforcing governor Newsoms
order threatening to close the
church,
and it not only applies to
churches.
It applies even if you are in
your apartment or your private
home. If you have a Bible study
or a worship with someone who
doesnt live there, its
criminal in California,
its unbelievable
and thats, why we are before the
Supreme Court, because every day
that passes, pastor and everyone
else in the church faces
potential criminal charges and
daily fines,
Jedediah pastor? What do you
say to those who are deemed such
services right now, nonessential
in comparison to other services
that are available to people?
Well, I believe that the
church represents Jesus and, of
course, Jesus. The gospel of the
kingdom has been essential for
two thousand years.
Where would the world be without
the relationship and the
knowledge of Jesus Christ?
I think about just even
missions:
the orphanages,
the hospitals built in the name
of Jesus
schools established from im
talking about all over the world
from India.
I have been to seventy nations and I
have just seen the work of gods
kingdom advancing beautifully
through just social services
and especially during the
Covid 19, where people are
depressed,
the suicide rates are off the
charts.
Domestic violence is increasing,
people need spiritual,
encouragement,
emotional, encouragement and
also mental encouragement, and I
believe that the church provides
that and we have been essential
for two thousand years.
Jedediah pastor: did you see an
uptick in Covid 19 cases when it
came to gatherings?
Because, obviously the argument
here is that a church gathering
by nature is a gathering of
people
and if that were to happen
indoors, it could potentially
lead to spread of the virus.
Did you see that actually play
out?
No,
we have not had one covid case
in our church since we opened
since Pentecost Sunday.
We encourage people with high
risk underlying conditions to
stay home and watch online,
so our people have been very
good,
I would say maybe around forty percent of
our congregation is meeting,
but its still a substantial
number
and when people meet, we tell
them to wear your mask
to come.
We take peoples temperature if
they want the temperature taken
and the once they come into the
worship service.
We have a large building and we
space people out and there has
not been one problem-
Jedediah yeah.
Well, I want to thank you both
for joining us.
We did reach out to Gavin
Newsoms office. We have not
heard back yet.
Transcript generated on 2020-11-25.