Virginia pastor who defiantly held church service dies of coronavirus He practiced what he preached then he died of coronavirus. An evangelical pastor died of COVID-19 just weeks after proudly showing off how packed his Virginia church was and vowing to keep preaching unless Im in jail or the hospital. In his last known in-person service on March 22, Bishop Gerald O. Glenn got his congregation at Richmonds New Deliverance Evangelistic Church to stand to prove how many were there despite warnings against gatherings of more than 10 people. I firmly believe that God is larger than this dreaded virus. You can quote me on that, he said, repeating it a second time to claps, saying that people are healed in his church. Happily announcing he was being controversial by being in violation of safety protocols with way more than 10 people at the church he vowed to keep his church open unless Im in jail or the hospital. I am essential, he said of remaining open, adding, Im a preacher I talk to God! On Sunday, his church announced with an exceedingly sorrowful and heavy heart that the pastor had died a week after being diagnosed with COVID-19. His wife, Marcietia Glenn, is also sick with the bug, with church members offering their prayers. Their daughter, Mar-Gerie Crawley, told WTVR that her father initially dismissed his symptoms because he has a condition that often leads to fevers and infections. She is now urging everyone to stay home. It becomes very real to you, she told WTVR after her parents diagnoses. I just beg people to understand the severity and the seriousness of this, because people are saying its not just about us, its about everyone around us. |