The Rev. Walter Oliver is facing trial for assault and risk of injury to a minor for beating two children who attended Bible Speaks Ministries, a small church that met in his home.
Oliver, 66, admits beating the boys with a belt but says the punishment was "holy spanking" administered in his capacity as pastor. He says he obeyed "God's mandate to keep law and order."
The boys, 11 and 12 at the time, were punished for playing with matches and failing to do chores, Oliver said.
They were not bloodied or seriously injured, but prosecutors say the beatings left marks, which Oliver denies.
Prosecutor Brian Sibley says religious freedom is not a legitimate defense for Oliver's actions. "We're treating this like any other child abuse case," he said.