We have been discussing ministers who have defied state orders to avoid large services, even refusing to yield after criminal charges. Now one of those ministers, Bishop Gerald O. Glenn, has died of coronavirus.
He was widely qouted for saying “I Am Essential . . . I Talk to God!”:
Glenn held a service as recently as March 22. He declared that he would defy the Virginia orders “unless I’m in jail or the hospital.” He added “I firmly believe that God is larger than this dreaded virus. You can quote me on that.” He insisted “I am essential. I’m a preacher — I talk to God!”
The church announced his death yesterday and it was also disclosed that his wife, Marcietta Glenn, has also contradicted the virus.
Their daughter is encouraging others to comply with the order.