Defiant pastor who ignored lockdown and kept his church opens dies from coronavirus

EVANGELICAL clergyman Bishop Gerald Glenn who defied the US government's coronavirus lockdown and held a packed service on March 22 has succumbed to the virus and died from contracting the virus.

A passionate Christian, Bishop Glenn, continued to hold services at his New Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Richmond, Virginia in defiance of government orders. He once proudly showing off how packed his Virginia church was and vowed to keep preaching unless he is in jail or in hospital.

In his last known in-person service on March 22, Bishop Glenn got his congregation to stand to prove how many were there despite warnings against gatherings of more than 10 people. Happily announcing he was being controversial by being in violation of safety protocols, Bishop Glenn said he believed God would protect him from the virus.

Bishop Glenn said: “I firmly believe that God is larger than this dreaded virus. You can quote me on that.”

He added that people are healed in his church, saying: “I am essential. I’m a preacher - I talk to God."

However, on Sunday, his church announced that the controversial 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 for her.

Their daughter, Mar-Gerie Crawley, said that her father initially dismissed his symptoms because he has a condition that often leads to fevers and infections. She has broken with her father's preaching and is now urging everyone to stay home.

Ms Crawley said: “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.”