Posted on 05/05/2015 4:40:15 PM PDT by BBell
NEW ORLEANS —Kenneth Green was only 56 years old.
He was a loving husband, father and the senior pastor of Greater Saint Mary Baptist Church in Algiers. Sunday, he collapsed and died in the middle of his sermon.
Joan Martin was sitting in the pew, and broke down in tears.
"He took a swallow of water, before he took water he wiped his face, and then he looked up and it looked like his eyes were rolled back, like there was no life in his eyes, and he tumbled over. Everybody was in a state of shock people were crying," said Martin.
She said 911 was called and paramedics arrived.
"They were trying to resuscitate him but it took so long I think we knew he was gone," she said.
Martin said Green was a kind man who was there for everyone who needed a prayer. He would take sick people to the hospital, and had a passion for helping the homeless.
When Martin's two sons died, Green was there to comfort her.
"He buried both of my sons. He always had an encouraging word to say," said Martin.
Sunday, he was encouraging the congregation once again. Standing in the pulpit, preaching on the Psalm of David.
The sermon was titled "Down But Not Out."
"And then he had mentioned that the if the Lord called me now 'I'm ready to go,'" said Martin.
A few moments later their beloved pastor was on the floor. Martin said he died doing what he was called to do and lived with a purpose.
"Remember his love for God and the work he did for God, and how he tried to be everything for everybody," said Martin.
Green's family is waiting for autopsy results. He leaves behind a wife and three children.
He had been a senior pastor at Greater Saint Mary Baptist Church for eight years. Greater St. Mary Baptist Church is a member of the United Churches of Algiers.
The poor fellow.
Guess God decided to call him on that.
Waiting for autopsy results....
No white guys to sue on this one. Or God. Can’t sue God. Especially not after the guy says he’s ready to go if God takes him back.
The poor fellow.
Dying in Church is a pretty darn good place to go. You most likely get a quick entrance to Heaven.
And it was quick.
Only in Louisiana would you encounter such a church name, it's like Pope Pius Pentecostal or something.
Your are right. Catholicism is so ingrained in the culture that people who are not Catholics practice lent.
That’s the way to go. Hope to be that fortunate.
Uhhh.... all Christians observe Lent. Many renounce various pleasures or habits during Lent to acknowledge Christ's sacrifice.
What I meant was a lot of people down here deny themselves something they like and observe the Friday fish day during lent.
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