Newbury Park (Ventura Co, CA) church holds indoor services despite judge's orders, drawing counter-protesters
NEWBURY PARK, Calif. (KABC) – A Newbury Park church defied a Ventura County judge's orders and held indoor worship services Sunday morning, despite state and local public health measures to hold gatherings outside.
Rob McCoy, the pastor at Godspeak Calvary Chapel, has been adamant about holding worship services and says it just isn't feasible to hold them outside. The service began at 9 a.m. and the pastor warned those in attendance that they could be cited. Two more services throughout the day were also scheduled to be held.
A judge on Friday issued a two-week temporary restraining order banning the church from holding services indoors. A hearing is scheduled for Aug. 31.
The county had sued the church, arguing that it threatened public safety, but the church has argued that the health risk is small and that the orders violate freedom of expression. McCoy said that no COVID-19 cases have been reported to him by congregants.
https://abc7.com/newbury-park-church-ventura-county-godspeak-calvary-chapel/6362690/
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