Support pours in for Pastor John Gray, hospitalized with 'severe' pulmonary embolism
Pastor John Gray of Relentless Church in Greenville has been hospitalized with a saddle pulmonary embolism, his wife, Pastor Aventer Gray announced on social media Sunday.
Since the announcement, members of the community, other pastors and leaders have shared their supportive thoughts for Gray and his family.
More: Greenville Pastor John Gray hospitalized with 'severe' pulmonary embolism
During Sunday's church service at Relentless, Aventer Gray said in a video to the congregation that her faith is being tested in many ways.
"One thing I know about my husband is that he belongs to him (God). My husband is fighting for his life right now," Gray said.
Aventer Gray's initial Instagram post announcing John Gray's hospitalization had 54,000 "likes" as of noon Monday.
Robert Morris
Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area said he was saddened to hear the new of Gray.
"I believe God can heal him naturally, medically and miraculously. Will you join me in prayer for John's complete healing?" Morris said on Facebook.
Before opening Relentless, John Gray was an associate pastor at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.
Carl McClurney
Pastor Carl McClurney of New Harvest Ministries in Mauldin said on Facebook on Sunday, "Let's unite and band together in prayer for our dear brother and pastor."
"God, we ask that you heal, restore and raise him up again," McClurney said.
Ron Carpenter
Ron Carpenter, founder of Redemption Church, said he's known Gray for almost two years and considers him a brother.
"I just wanted to stop a moment and ask you to pray for Pastor (John Gray). I’m on the other side of the world right now, but word reached me he’s struggling in his health and he needs God to move in his body," Carpenter said. "Many people are aware that my and Pastor John’s transition had its share of bumps, but in reality, all transition is bumpy, even in it’s best form. And even though we were not able to achieve some of the things we desired, there’s never been a time I didn’t consider John a brother."
Johnathan Nelson
A representative for the Gray family was not immediately available to comment when reached Monday morning.
What is a saddle pulmonary embolism?
A saddle pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in lungs. In some cases, it is caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from veins in the legs or other parts of the body, according to Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit American academic medical center.
Saddle Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening because of the block of flow to the lungs.
Aventer Gray outlined that if the embolism moves to the left of John Gray's body it will affect his heart and if it moves to right it would affect his lungs and blood flow.
She said it is a "life or death" situation.
Tamia Boyd is a Michigan native who covers breaking news in Greenville. Email her at tboyd@gannett.com, and follow her on Twitter @tamiamb.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Community sends support for Pastor John Gray while hospitalized
