An evangelical pastor from Virginia died from COVID-19 after ignoring warnings to avoid large gatherings and hosting services at his church. Bishop Gerald O. Glenn last held Mass in person at Richmond's New Deliverance Evangelistic Church on March 22. He promised to keep his church open "unless I'm in jail or the hospital."
"I firmly believe that God is larger than this dreaded virus. You can quote me on that," he told his congregation, according to the New York Post.
That was the last service that Glenn hosted in person at his church. The next day Virginia banned gatherings of more than ten people and then issued a formal stay-at-home order the following week.
Not long after the service, Glenn started showing signs of the coronavirus and was diagnosed a week later. His wife was also diagnosed with COVID-19.
On Sunday (April 12), the church announced that Glenn had passed away the night before.
"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Bishop Gerald O. Glenn, the Founder, and Pastor of New Deliverance Evangelistic Church," they wrote on Facebook. "Please be in prayer with us for Mother Marcietia Glenn, our first family & the NDEC church family."
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