Pastor Tony Spell leads services at his church, Life Tabernacle, in Louisiana, and says he plans to continue allowing up to a thousand people join him in person for services, even though he claims law enforcement visited him because he violated an emergency order banning public or private gatherings of more than 50 people during the coronavirus pandemic.

TELL DR. PHIL YOUR STORY: How has the coronavirus changed your life?
 
“We feel that we are as an essential part of our community as the retail stores,” Pastor Tony tells Dr. Phil on Thursday’s episode. “It is in persecution of the faith for us to be asked to close our doors whenever more people are being contacted in those Targets and Walmarts than are in my service.”
 

“The fact of the matter is this is not a typical virus. This is much more infectious than influenza, much more deadly than influenza, particularly for those who are elderly with underlying respiratory disorders,” Dr. Phil says. “This can be very, very deadly. How do you feel about that?”
 
Hear his response in the video above.
 
On Thursday, Pastor Tony and Dr. Phil discuss options, via video conference, to keep his worshipers safe. Check here to see where you can watch.