CA Gov. Gavin Newsom has released a detailed 14-page directive ordering churches to drastically change their long-held religious practices, an exercise akin to rewriting the book of Leviticus! Read on to learn what we can do to stop this self-appointed "High Ruler of the Church" in California.

And please don't forget that for a limited time, a special challenge grant will effectively DOUBLE the impact of your donation to keep our churches FREE!

Will you stand with us as we stand with the Body of Christ?

As we prepare in just a few weeks to read the entire Bible aloud, from Genesis to Revelation, on Capitol Hill, I'm reminded of the critical importance of scripture in guiding our lives and the affairs of the church.

The first five books of the Bible, often referred to as the Pentateuch, Torah, or the law, established the rituals, practices and religious laws that ancient Jews were required to follow. The laws and instructions written there prescribed how the temple must be maintained and cleaned, how the priests should function and a myriad of other practices in Israel's religious life.

Many of those laws and instructions continue to form the basis of modern Christian and Jewish religious practices.

But California Gov. Gavin Newsom has decided that God's Word is not enough to govern churches and synagogues. Instead, Gov. Newsom has moved from appointing himself King to now declaring himself to be godlike in his ability to dictate religious practices.

On July 6, in the 14-page California Public Health Order entitled "COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Places of Worship and Providers of Religious Services and Cultural Ceremonies," Newsom demands that places of worship replace their own religious practices with his edicts.

The long list of dictates for places of worship includes:

• The removal of Bibles and pamphlets
• The removal or disuse of Sacred fonts, baptismals and vessels
• Instructions on how to wash religious garments
• Directions on how ministers must wash and prepare themselves
• The required reconfiguration of podiums, lecterns, sanctuaries and even church parking lots
• How collection plates must be used, if allowed at all
• How to open and close church doors
• How to greet guests and each other
• Elimination of singing and chanting
• And much more...

Gavin Newsom even decrees how Holy Communion must now be handled!

Newsom's illegal and unconstitutional orders, in effect, rewrite and replace large portions of the Bible! Newsom apparently thinks he can serve the role of both King and Priest.

What is perhaps most telling about Gavin Newsom's orders is that they are expressly directed against RELIGIOUS WORSHIP!

His July 6 order clearly states, "this guidance is not intended for...other activities that places of worship may provide." The directive is ONLY meant to restrict religious worship!

In other words, a church building can serve as a homeless shelter, a soup kitchen or provide counsel on finding a job or applying for unemployment - all with no numerical restrictions - but as soon as the activity becomes religious worship, Newsom’s orders slam the door.

If the ordering of no singing and micromanaging every aspect of worship were not bad enough, on July 13, Newsom banned ALL worship for 80 percent of the state's population, even in private homes!

Again, non-religious activity is permitted in churches, but the moment a Bible is opened or preaching and worship begin in that same facility, engaging the very same people, that church and its leaders are in violation of Newsom's orders and face criminal prosecution, $1,000-a-day fines and even imprisonment.

Newsom initially closed churches, calling them "non-essential." Then he said they could have no more than 100 people - no matter the size of the sanctuary. Then he banned singing and chanting and ordered the details of worship. Then, he banned ALL worship, even in private homes for Bible study and fellowship.

Will you stand now to defend our First Amendment guarantee of the free expression of religion?

NO ONE CAN REWRITE THE BIBLE. And no one can change God's directives for our worship and our lives.

That is why we are with courageous churches like Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry that has 162 churches in California.

With over 25 years for fighting to defend and preserve religious freedom, we know that NO GOVERNMENT FIGURE - NOT EVEN CALIFORNIA KING AND HIGH PRIEST GAVIN NEWSOM - CAN DICTATE RELIGIOUS PRACTICES TO THE CHURCH.

We have said this repeatedly for years, and never more frequently than during the last six months...

The church cannot be rendered to Caesar, AND it cannot be ordered or directed by Caesar. The church never was subject to Caesar... or to CA Gov. Gavin Newsom.

At this very moment, members of our Faith & Liberty team are working directly with churches, pastors and churchgoers against the power-mad dictates of the governors of Maine, Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois and, of course, California. And we are working with several thousand pastors in 44 states.

There is little doubt this fight for religious freedom will go all the way to the Supreme Court. This is THE ONLY WAY to ensure that no governors or other officials declare themselves kings or gods over the church. We must ensure religious freedom in America remains FREE.

That's why I am so thankful for the challenge grant that has been established to DOUBLE THE EFFECT OF DONATIONS TO DEFEND PASTORS AND CHURCHES, INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE MADE TODAY.

Thank YOU for answering the call to support Faith & Liberty. Please, take a moment RIGHT NOW to contribute to our efforts to defend our precious religious freedom. YOUR DONATION WILL BE DOUBLED IN IMPACT by the challenge grant. Please, do not let this opportunity pass you by.

All donations today will be doubled in impact by the extended challenge grant! – Select below to take advantage of this awesome blessing TODAY!

Your missionaries to Washington, DC,

Peggy Nienaber, Vice-President
Mat Staver, Chairman
Rev. Gregory Cox, Lead Missionary

P.S. Tired of the shutdowns and unconstitutional restrictions on our liberty? Take a moment to tell all 50 governors to RESTORE OUR RIGHTS & RE-OPEN AMERICA! Select here.

P.P.S. Please don't let this challenge grant opportunity pass you by. America's pastors and churches are relying on YOU, a faithful Faith & Liberty supporter, to help ensure religious freedom remains FREE!