COVID-19 Claims Life of California Charismatic Megachurch Pastor
The coronavirus continues to hit the country hard, and pastoral staffs of churches are no exception. Bob Bryant, the associate pastor of benevolence at Water of Life Community Church in in Fontana, California, died Monday after suffering a silent heart attack, pneumonia and kidney problems. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 more than a week ago.
Water of Life is a 7,000-member charismatic church pastored by Dan Carroll. Bryant’s wife, Lori, also a member of the church staff, tested positive for COVID-19 but is recovering.
Carroll posted this message on Water of Life’s Facebook page about Bryant’s death:
“It is with heavy hearts that we share Pastor Bob Bryant passed earlier today from this life and found himself fully in the presence of Jesus. So many of you have prayed and contended for his well-being and miraculous healing over the last week and half. It’s been inspiring to watch our church family come together to contend for Pastor Bob and care for the Bryant family.
“Please continue to pray for Lori, Missy, Jacob, Jordan and Josh. They are our family and we can continue to lift them up in powerful ways as we journey with them through this incredibly difficult time.
“Today Pastor Bob is where he has always loved to be, in the presence of Jesus. He loved God and he loved people with great passion. We celebrate his life and how he lived and influenced us to love like Jesus loved!”
Lori Bryant posted this message on Facebook the day her husband passed away:
Joyce Macek Carlsen, a former staff member of Water of Life Church, posted this about Bryant on the church’s Facebook page:
“This man was on staff with me at for over twenty years. When I retired in 2017, he was still going strong. In all those years, every conversation, rant or pity party I imposed on him was always turned to Jesus. Bob was one of the strongest prayer warriors I’ve ever known. His compassion and kindness are legendary, his faith was unshakable. He and his wife are a kingdom power couple.
“Hell may think it had a victory, but Bob’s legacy lives on to touch many more lives with healing and wholeness … and I know there will be some amazing stories from Lori. Bob is in the arms of Jesus, a place he’s been in, in the Spirit, many times. Now he’s there for real. Please pray for Lori, the family and friends, who are left to adjust to a new normal.” {eoa}
