Bob Bryant, Associate Pastor of Water of Life Community Church in Fontana, California died on November 30 from COVID-19.
He was 58 years old and had been working at the church for 18 years.
His wife, Lori Bryant, and one of his children also contracted the virus.
Bob Bryant, 58, pastor at Water of Life Community Church in Fontana, got sick on vacation, tested positive, as did wife & son, on 11-22. He had diabetes & high blood pressure, was hospitalized within hours diagnosis, had heart attack, pneumonia before passing away on Monday.
— 🌊🌊🌊🇺🇸Jane Moore🇺🇸🌊🌊🌊 (@janeworld1) December 2, 2020
Bryant’s death was announced on the church’s website.
“So many of you have prayed and contended for his well-being and miraculous healing. 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.”
1. Bob’s Illness
On November 24, Lori shared a Facebook post asking for prayers.
“We were hoping he was turning for the good, but things went very bad very quickly today. He has bilateral aggressive COVID pneumonia, suffered a silent heart attack and is having some kidney issues. They had to put him on a ventilator immediately.”
Like so many families with loved ones in the hospital with COVID-19, Lori was not able to be with him.
She had to stand in the hospital’s parking lot and try to see him through the window.
When it became clear that Bob would not survive, Lori asked to be with him.
Hospital officials allowed it.
Lori is unsure how they contracted COVID-19 adding a warning for everyone.
“Bob is very very safe because he had some issues with his health so he’s been very very safe and it could be you.”
2. Church Services
The church has approximately 26,000 members, and approximately 8,000 members attend weekend services.
It was closed from mid-March to May but opened in the spring for indoor services.
Outdoor services occurred through the summer, but socially distant indoor services resumed on October 31.
3. A Community Mourns
Fontana California
Bob Bryant, 58, a pastor at Water of Life Community Church, was helping people right up until he wasn't feeling well. He died from COVID-19 on Monday after going to the hospital last week. https://t.co/EEpzN4jjFA pic.twitter.com/Lkgj14P3th— Cleavon MD (@Cleavon_MD) December 3, 2020
Community members honored Bob Bryant on the church’s Facebook page.
“Pastor Bob impacted the world especially my family and ministry in Uganda, he stood on teaching the truth from the word of God, I loved him so much whenever I watched him teach online ,he loved God so much in everything he did , we are so sad to loose him but we know that he is with God, it’s very difficult to find people who give their lives to serve God as servants like him, to the family be strong and know that Bob has gone to be with God, and that’s what we all strive for , let’s continue to serve God as he did so that we will also be with God.”
His colleague Pastor Dan wrote:
“What an absolute honor it was to know, work with, and be taught by Pastor Bob. To know him was to know the love of Jesus. Like so many others, I feel sick and heartbroken to know he is no longer with us, but at the same time know how much joy he is experiencing right now. Please continue to pray for his family as they grieve and walk through this season.”
A memorial service for Bob Bryant is scheduled for Monday, December 7 at 2:00 pm.
NEXT: Alexis Sharkey: 3 Cold Hard Facts To Know About Her CaseMemorial Service to celebrate the life of Pastor Bob Bryant will be held on Monday, December 7th at 2:00pm in the Worship Center. The service will also be streamed live online. pic.twitter.com/BhdC1UlDuR
— Sports Plus (@PrepSportsPlus) December 2, 2020