A pastor in California has been hospitalized with pneumonia resulting from coronavirus, after holding a Mother’s Day Church service with singing despite officials specifically advising him not to due to the spread of respiratory droplets.

Redwood Valley Assembly of God Church pastor Jack McMilin tested positive for Coronavirus and was hospitalized on Saturday.

On May 10, McMilin held a Mother’s Day service at Redwood Valley Assembly of God church, despite specific orders not to.

Then, on May 11, he shared a Facebook post of a woman holding a placard that reads: “Why can we go to Walmart but not Church!??”

McMilin captioned the photo: “We need to start asking this more often and with greater volume.”

The pastor’s grandson, Jason Bright, announced McMilin’s diagnosis on Facebook. He left a video message in a Facebook group where churchgoers showed oppositions to lockdowns and his wife Sharon also posted on Facebook. 

Sharon told members: “I was going post something in place of pastor sermon today but I’ve been on phone with so many people and health department that I didn’t get it done. Just remember God is a big and mighty God and he’s got us covered, remember Pastor Jack in the hospital with pneumonia from the Covid 19 virus. Thank you for all the prayers!”