Despite executive orders issued in response to the COVID-19 crisis, a Jackson pastor is planning to hold an Easter church service.Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba signed an order to limit the number of people gathering in one place and Gov. Tate Reeves urged churches against holding in-person services on Easter Sunday. Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Jesse Horton said he will open the doors to the church on Cooper Road.“We will more than likely have more than 10 (parishioners). We will be sitting space as they wish,” Horton said.Lumumba’s order does not exempt churches and religious institutions.“I do know what he said,” Horton said. “I think what the mayor is saying is real good, but it’s going to be kind of hard for me to understand why I can only have 10 in a worship service when I go to Lowe’s and there are more than 10. My concern is why is that everything else can be open?”Horton believes the mayor’s order crosses the constitutional line that separates church and state.“Although I’m going to say to the congregation, ‘Let’s be as safe as possible. Let’s not do anything foolish,” Horton said.Horton says if Jackson police officers show up and inform him that he’s breaking the law, he plans to dismiss the service. More on coronavirus in MississippiMap shows coronavirus cases in Mississippi by countyWhere you can get tested for COVID-19 in Mississippi

Despite executive orders issued in response to the COVID-19 crisis, a Jackson pastor is planning to hold an Easter church service.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba signed an order to limit the number of people gathering in one place and Gov. Tate Reeves urged churches against holding in-person services on Easter Sunday.


Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Jesse Horton said he will open the doors to the church on Cooper Road.

“We will more than likely have more than 10 (parishioners). We will be sitting space as they wish,” Horton said.

Lumumba’s order does not exempt churches and religious institutions.

“I do know what he said,” Horton said. “I think what the mayor is saying is real good, but it’s going to be kind of hard for me to understand why I can only have 10 in a worship service when I go to Lowe’s and there are more than 10. My concern is why is that everything else can be open?”

Horton believes the mayor’s order crosses the constitutional line that separates church and state.

“Although I’m going to say to the congregation, ‘Let’s be as safe as possible. Let’s not do anything foolish,” Horton said.

Horton says if Jackson police officers show up and inform him that he’s breaking the law, he plans to dismiss the service.

More on coronavirus in Mississippi

Map shows coronavirus cases in Mississippi by county

Where you can get tested for COVID-19 in Mississippi