Bishop Gerald Glenn, who said he spoke to God and was certain that his church could heal members of his congregation, has died due to complications of the coronavirus.
Pastor Glenn died on Easter Weekend. His wife, Marcietia Glenn, is ill after she tested positive for the deadly virus.
The man of God and founder and Pastor of New Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Richmond, Virginia had made headlines numerous times in the past weeks for disobeying the guidelines put out by top officials and health experts.
The pastor continued to have large gatherings in his church, where he claimed during his recorded sermons, “God is larger than this dreaded virus.”
He defended his decision to have large gatherings by stating: “I am essential. I’m a preacher — I talk to God!”
He also said that he would never stop preaching “unless I’m in jail or the hospital.”
The church shared a statement confirming the death of the pastor: “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 on Saturday, April 11. at 9:00 p.m. Please be in prayer with us for Mother Marcietia Glenn, our first family, and the NDEC church family. We ask that you respectfully allow our First Family to grieve in their own way.”
Funeral plans “in the season a social distancing” will be released soon. A giant sign outside The New Deliverance Evangelistic Church now reads, “Dear God, we need your help.”
In an interview, Glenn’s daughter, Mar-Gerie Crawley, spoke about her father’s fragile health and broke with him when it comes to social distancing.
Crawley said her father was battling diverticulitis, a gastrointestinal disease that leads to the inflammation of the intestines, and he fell ill and was hit with high fevers.
Recently, he complained of shortness of breath and was rushed to a hospital and placed a ventilator. While in the hospital, he tested positive for COVID-19.
She stated: “It becomes very real to you. I just beg people to understand the severity and the seriousness of this, because people are saying it’s not just about us, it’s about everyone around us.”
Virginia’s two senators — Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine shared words of love and praises upon learning the passing of Glenn.
