Hope Church pastor tests positive for virus
The senior associate pastor of one of the largest churches in the Memphis area has tested positive for COVID-19, according to an email sent to members of Hope Church Memphis.
The Rev. Eli Morris received the results of his positive test Sunday, according to the email, and he is quarantined but not hospitalized with mild symptoms. His wife, Patty, has also been tested but not received results of that test.
“We very much appreciate your prayers and we urge you all to be safe and wise during this time of confusion,” Morris wrote in the statement.
The couple were informed on Thursday, that Patty had come into contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19. They will remain in required quarantine until early April, according to the email.
The couple were not present at the church the weekend of March 14-15, when in-person services were held, according to a church spokesperson.
The church’s senior pastor, the Rev. Rufus Smith, will be under self-quarantine until April 2 since he was in direct contact with Morris on March 18. Eleven other staff members from the church are also self-quarantined, working from home, Smith wrote in the email.
Smith wrote that he does not have any symptoms of COVID-19.
Hope Church has around 7,000 members, according to The Gospel Coalition. The church is currently offering livestreamed worship services. Ministry leaders are also conducting virtual meetings with members.
Katherine Burgess covers county government, religion and the suburbs. She can be reached at katherine. burgess@commercialappeal.com, 901529-2799 or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.