20-Y-O Son of Megachurch Pastor Dies After Motorcycle Slams Into Car Pulling Out of Driveway
A Louisiana megachurch pastor and his family are mourning the loss of his 20-year-old son who died after his motorcycle crashed into a car that was pulling out of a private driveway last Friday.
Wesley Ravenholl Aranza, the son of Jacob and Michelle Aranza, who lead Our Savior's Church, Lafayette and Broussard, died Friday after his 2010 Honda motorcycle collided with the vehicle, according to KLFY. Police say he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Pastor Chris Lerma of Our Savior's Church remembered Wesley as a talented musician and said the entire church community has rallied around their grieving pastor and his family.
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"Pastor Jacob and Michelle have been with so many of us and so many of our church family in moments like this and now it's an opportunity for us, as a staff and as a church family and community, to rally around them," said Lerma in an interview with The Christian Post Monday.
He said while the family has been going through deep moments of grieving over what has been accepted as an "unfortunate accident," they have also accepted Wesley's death as "an opportunity to turn to the Lord and see his goodness in this and, more than anything, just celebrating Wesley and his life."
"He loved media, he loved music. He was a talented musician. He was an incredible bass player," Lerma said of Wesley, who leaves behind his parents four brothers and a sister.
In a Facebook post reacting to news of Wesley's death, Andre Gautreaux, who taught the pastor's son in Sunday school, said he was shocked.
"My jaw literally dropped and I stared into space for what felt like forever when I heard the news. As a parent I can't imagine getting the news of my child passing. My heart is numb at the news of Wesley Aranza's passing in an accident this morning. Have known him for years and when someone you taught in children's church passes it just doesn't feel natural. God may you work out all things for YOUR GOOD!!! May we lean on you and not on us. Prayers for the Aranza family today please!!" wrote Gautreaux on Saturday morning.
A visitation was held at Our Savior's Church, Lafayette Campus at 10 a.m. Tuesday, followed by the funeral at 11 a.m.
The family has requested memorial contributions be made to Our Savior's Church Media Department in Wesley Aranza's honor toward his passion for music and media, in lieu of flowers.
