Popular Virginia pastor, Bishop Gerald Glenn has died of coronavirus (COVID-19) just weeks after hosting a packed church service.
What We Know:
- Church official Bryan Nevers announced the news during the New Deliverance Evangelistic Easter Sunday livestream, explaining: “It is with an exceedingly sorrowful and heavy heart that I come to you this morning, and regret to inform you that on last night, April the 11th at 9 p.m., our father Bishop Gerald Glenn transitioned from labor to reward.”
“Our bishop has been a friend, as well as spiritual Shepard to so many of us here at New Deliverance, and around the country. He will be missed by us all. ENDC, as we enter into a period of mourning for the next 30 days, let us continue to pray for Mother Glenn and the first family.” – Bryan Nevers
- Glenn’s death comes after his last in-person service on March 22. “I got more than 10 people here,” he proudly said in his sermon in reference to the ban issued by Gov. Ralph Northam.
- “I know I’m on some controversial territory,” Glenn said, slamming the government. “I don’t care about your opinion. I’m not trying to appease anybody.”
- On April 3, Glenn’s daughter Mar-Gerie Crawley explained on Facebook Live that the pastor was hospitalized in a “pretty critical condition”. On April 4, Crawley said that her father and mother Marcietia Glenn tested positive for the virus.
- Glenn’s condition worsened and he was taken to the emergency room. “He was very lethargic, so mom decided that evening, once his breathing became labored, she took him back and at that point they kept him. They did the COVID-19 test on him, and we got it back that day and it was positive,” Crawley told WTVR.
- Since his death, members of his congregation, spiritual leaders, and political figures all over have expressed their condolences.
My heart sinks as I learn this morning that Bishop Gerald Glenn, pastor of New Deliverance Evangelistic Church, died yesterday from COVID-19. He was a friend and pillar of Richmond faith community. May all do as much for so many.
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) April 12, 2020
- “Bishop Glenn was my great friend for more than 20 years. He was an extraordinary spiritual and community leader, and we will all miss him very much,” Senator Mark Warner said in a statement obtained by NBC 12.
The church called for prayers and said final arrangements for Glenn would be made within the next few days.
