TROY - An area pastor - Troy Bethel Baptist’s Tim Lewis - announced this week he tested positive for COVID-19 and is quarantined at home.

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Bethel Baptist Church released a You Tube video of the 62-year-old Pastor Lewis discussing coronavirus on its Facebook page. Lewis had been in the Ukraine training pastors and when he returned with what he described a terrible cough and lung tightness, so he decided to go through a St. Louis County drive-thru testing site, where he tested positive.

Pastor Lewis’ wife, Cristie, has remained in Ohio with their son, Andy, while he is quarantined.

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Pastor Lewis provided the following statement about his ailment: “I am grateful for your faith and prayers. As you know, since being on mission to Ukraine, I have been isolated at home. During my self-quarantine, I began to feel some symptoms of COVID-19. I contacted my family physician and he referred me to the Madison County Health Department. Initially, I was denied testing, but pursued a second opinion.

"Once it was proven that I met certain criteria for testing, I was administered a test from St. John's Mercy Hospital. Then I was called with the news that I tested positive for this virus. I have not been to the church or to my office or met with any of our staff. I have been home alone. I am recovering. The medical staff at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis is monitoring my progress."

Pastor Lewis said his wife, Cristie, has not seen him since I have come home.

“Please pray for me. I will continue to be quarantined here until I am cleared to go out into the public," he said. "The Lord is with us. He provides and protects us. Thank you for praying for me.”

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