39-Y-O Pastor, Father of Five, Dies After Pouring Heart Out in Sermon
A Fresno, California, congregation was forced to halt a scheduled service Sunday morning after their 39-year-old children's pastor and beloved father of five collapsed and died from a "cardiac event" after pouring his heart out during an impassioned sermon.
The pastor, Eddie Crain of Northpointe Community Church, was a father of five boys.
"We are saddened to announce that Pastor Eddie Crain died this morning after a cardiac event at the conclusion of our 8 a.m. service. He literally had just poured his heart out in his passion to make a difference for kids. Please pray for his family and for all who will be so deeply impacted by this loss to us all," Northpointe's Senior Pastor Steve Williams wrote in a note on the church's Facebook page.
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The church simply noted that Crain "collapsed" after the 8 a.m. service and cited verses from Psalm 46 prior to the official announcement of his death.
A report in The Fresno Bee said more than 1,100 people gathered at the church for a service to remember the departed pastor and his impact on the church and its families Sunday evening.
Williams reportedly talked about what happened and offered advice to parents on how to talk with their children about Crain's passing. Counseling was also offered to children and their parents.
Church officials said Crain's youngest son was 7, while his oldest is a college sophomore.
Hundreds of people have since flocked to the church's Facebook page to express their condolences, including several who listened to Crain preach for the last time.
"Bernard and I were so blessed to have been at the 8 a.m. service to see Pastor Eddie speak for the last time. It was a passionate and beautiful message, and I know there will be many lives changed because of it. It won't be the same without him at the office or church. Our hearts are broken for Kari and the boys. Continuous prayers are being lifted for all who love him!" wrote Terri Borchardt.
"Just in shock, we were just there this morning at the 8 o'clock service and heard Pastor Eddie give an amazing sermon. He poured out his heart and passion. We are praying for his family and Northpointe church," added Brian Foote.
