A PASTOR of a megachurch that continued to carry providers through the coronavirus pandemic has died from the illness.
Bob Bryant, a 58-year-old pastor on the Water of Life Group Church in Fontana, California, died on Monday, his spouse Lori introduced in a Fb submit.
Pastor Bob Bryant’s spouse Lori introduced his loss of life on Instagram on Monday. He’s pictured right here talking to the congregation earlier than the pandemicCredit score: Instagram
Bob Bryant, 58, a pastor on the Water of Life Group Church in Fontana, California, died from COVID-19 issues on MondayCredit score: Fb
Lori Bryant introduced her husband’s loss of life on-lineCredit score: Instagram
“He fought to the very finish and so did his medical doctors and nurses,” she wrote.
Bryant examined optimistic, alongside his spouse and son, whereas on trip, on November 22. His well being deteriorated shortly and he was rushed to hospital inside hours, based on the church’s founder and senior Pastor, Dan Carroll.
Bryant died “19 days later”, a statement issued by church leaders stated.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we share Pastor Bob Bryant handed earlier immediately from this life and located himself totally within the presence of Jesus,” the assertion issued Monday night learn.
“So a lot of you have got prayed and contended for his well-being and miraculous therapeutic during the last week and half. It’s been inspiring to observe our church household come collectively to contend for Pastor Bob and look after the Bryant household.”
It is not identified the place or how the Bryant household contracted the virus.
Bryant turned a youth pastor 18 years in the past after giving up his job as a trucker. Credit score: Fb
Bryant, pictured along with his spouse Lori, was on trip when he turned sick, the church statedCredit score: Instagram
Like most church buildings within the space, the Fontana megachurch shut its doorways through the preliminary lockdown in response to the pandemic.
It then commenced socially distanced indoor providers on the finish of Could earlier than switching to outside providers to comply with state well being tips, then reopening for indoor providers on October 31.
The establishment’s pastors had been amongst these main the decision for homes of worship to stay open in Could with Carroll, insisting that Water president of Life’s 26,000 congregants have been secure with social distancing and different well being precautions.
“Right here at Water of Life, we consider that God is greater than the coronavirus,” said Carroll on the time, based on Fontana News.
“We additionally consider in taking the appropriate precautions to make sure the protection and well being of everybody who involves our campuses. We wish you to know concerning the steps we’re taking to stop the unfold of germs.”
He was a pastor on the megachurch Water of Life, which stated that it’ll proceed to carry providers, as pictured above in AugustCredit score: Fb
Lori and her son have now examined unfavorable for coronavirus.
“Bob simply turned 58… I am 57. No person thinks they are going to be a widow at 57,” Lori advised CBS Los Angeles this week.
“We now have 4 little grandchildren who adore him. Bob was an exquisite husband however he was a stellar grandfather.
“Bob could be very very secure as a result of he had some points along with his well being so he is been very very secure and it might be you.”
The Bryants have been reportedly on trip when the pastor turned sickCredit score: Instagram
Previous to her husband’s loss of life, Lori, posted on Fb asking congregants to proceed to wish for his or her household.
“We have been hoping he was turning for the great, however issues went very dangerous in a short time immediately,” she wrote.
“He has bilateral aggressive COVID pneumonia, suffered a silent coronary heart assault and is having some kidney points. They needed to put him on a ventilator instantly.”
Lori and Bob, pictured, have been each members of the Water of Life congregationCredit score: Instagram
The congregation switched to outside providers and resumed indoor, in-person providers on Oct. 31. Credit score: Fb
She stated that not having the ability to see a cherished one within the hospital added to the trauma of the state of affairs.
“Even when he was having bother respiration he stated, ‘Inform everybody I really like them and I’ll see them after I get up’,” she wrote.
California broke the document on coronavirus hospitalizations for the third day in a row on Monday with 8,240 folks admitted into wards with COVID-19.
Greater than 1.24 million folks within the state have been contaminated and greater than 19,300 have died from the virus.
