VIDEO - The Essential Church
Additional theaters coming soon
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Don’t worry, theaters are continually being added as demand increases. Help spread the word about the theatrical release to your church, friends, and family!
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PG-13 for thematic materials and brief depictions of violence.
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Our goal is to have this shown in as many theaters as possible. By spreading the word about this film and purchasing tickets, you can help increase the chances of The Essential Church premiering in more theaters across the nation.
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You can help us tremendously by letting friends know about a showing in their area, buying tickets at a theater near you, and by spreading the word about the theatrical release to your church, friends, family, and on social media.
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Please continue to pray that this film would reach and encourage many people.
When governments use Covid emergency act edicts to restrict the gathering and worship of the Church, three pastors facing the risk of imprisonment, unlimited fines, and their own Churches splitting apart take a courageous stand and re-open in the face of a world that has chosen to comply.
The Essential Church is a feature-length documentary that explores the struggle between Church and government throughout history. This story takes us to multiple countries and uncovers those who have sacrificed their lives for what they believe in.
Journey with us as we rediscover why the Church is essential and how we prove that our stand remains true from a scientific, legal, and most importantly Biblical perspective.
Out of an abundance of caution and in deference to government officials, Grace Church decides to temporarily stop meeting for in-person services.
Nationwide unrest during the George Floyd riots. Members begin returning to attend Grace Church worship services of their own volition.
After careful deliberation, the elders of Grace Church agree that the church can no longer abstain from assembling. They publish the official statement, “Christ, Not Caesar, Is the Head of the Church,” which asserts the God-given authority of the church to hold worship services, regardless of the opinions or directives of the government.
“Christ is the one true head of His Church, and we intend to honor that vital truth in all our gatherings. For that preeminent reason, we cannot accept and will not bow to the intrusive restrictions government officials now want to impose on our congregation.”
Though protests and riots are allowed to go unimpeded, Los Angeles County ignores the Constitution’s protection of the free exercise of religion and seeks to prevent Grace Church from meeting at all. Grace Church sues Governor Newsom, Los Angeles County, and the city of Los Angeles: Los Angeles County countersues Grace Church.
Things take a bleak turn when a judge issues an order prohibiting Grace Church from holding in-person, indoor services.
Grace Community Church continues to meet, and holds a packed morning service defying the court order.
Judge rules that he will not hold Grace Church in contempt for violating state health order without further ruling on the constitutionality of the order.
Judge sets trial date for January 15, 2021, to consider the constitutionality of the restrictions placed on Grace Church.
The Supreme Court lifts California’s unconstitutional ban on indoor church services.
A final settlement agreement is approved, thus signifying the end of the legal battle between GCC and the county.
Between May 27-June 1, our lawyers secure two significant legal victories for other clients in California against Governor Newsom. The state agrees to never again impose discriminatory restrictions on houses of worship in California and to pay $2.15 million in legal fees.