By The Associated Press

BALTIMORE (AP) — A prominent Baltimore pastor said he would continue to hold two services each Sunday for up to 250 people, defying an executive order from the city’s mayor that extended stay-at-home directives.

“About 26 members, plus five police cars and about eight officers were in attendance,” said the Rev. Alvin Gwynn Sr., senior pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in northeast Baltimore.

He’s the mayor, not the pastor of churches in the city.”

Under the governor’s stage-one reopening, churches and houses of worship can begin holding religious services at up to 50% capacity with outdoor services strongly encouraged.

His decision contrasts with that of most houses of worship in the area, which have decided to remain closed, including megachurches Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore and Grace Christian Fellowship in Timonium.