Pastor Who Refused To Close His Church Amid Pandemic Dies From Coronavirus

• Bishop Gerald O. Glenn of the New Deliverance Evangelistic Church has succumbed to coronavirus.
• The 66-year-old preacher continued holding church services despite local orders to avoid private and public gatherings of more than 10 people.
• He told his congregation that “God is larger than the dreaded virus” and that he will only stop if he ends up in jail or hospital.

A Christian pastor from Virginia recently died a week after he was diagnosed with COVID-19. Just last month, he refused to close the doors of his church despite local orders, assuring the congregation that God is “larger than this dreaded virus” and that he is not afraid to die.

Bishop Gerald O. Glenn, founder of New Deliverance Evangelistic Church, passed away last April 11, 2020 and his death was announced to his followers on Easter Sunday.

His last public sermon was on March 22, which was several days after locals were discouraged about having public or private gatherings of more than 10 individuals. A day after that, Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia officially made it as an executive order.

Glenn, however, did not comply.

According to reports, the self-described “controversial” pastor acknowledged that he had “way more than 10 people” in attendance at church that day and said he will continue to hold services unless he ends up in the jail or hospital.

Glenn said:

“I am essential. I’m a preacher — I talk to God.”

66-year-old Glenn and his wife eventually contracted the disease and his daughter Mar-Gerie Crawley later defended that the preacher’s decision to hold services wasn’t about defying the law but was done to provide comfort for the scared church members.

She also reminded everyone about the importance of staying home.

The church later issued a statement on Facebook, saying:

“During this time of intense grief, we ask that you pray continually for the FIRST FAMILY of NDEC.

“While they are mourning the heartbreaking earthly absence of their family patriarch & spiritual father, they also have family members who are struggling to survive this dreaded pandemic.”