Wade Morris was a graduate from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a well-known speaker who traveled widely and evangelized at youth camps, conferences and events throughout the year. Morris, just 51, died August 3, 2021, following complications from the COVID-19 virus.
Morris was the guest preacher at Falls Creek Camp during the camp’s July 5-9th week. His final Twitter post was on July 10, 2021, where he celebrated God’s work in students’ lives the week prior, writing, “457 professions of faith this week in Oklahoma!”
Brian Hobbs, communications director for Oklahoma Baptists, who own the camp, said, “We are heartbroken to learn of Wade Morris’ passing. His speaking ministry in Oklahoma and across the country has forever impacted countless young people. Wade’s a faithful minister of the Gospel and a great friend to Oklahoma Baptists. We are praying for his family.”
North American Mission Board’s Shane Pruitt posted on his Twitter page, “Without a doubt, @WadeSpeaks heard, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’ early this morning. As we’d chat through texts in the last couple of weeks…he’d always point to Jesus. Love you, dear friend, and will miss you immensely. Please join me in praying for his family.”
Ed Litton, Southern Baptist Convention’s president, asked people to pray for Morris’ family, saying, “Please pray for family & friends of @WadeSpeaks, who faithfully preached the Gospel and today stepped into God’s presence.”
Morris was husband to Deborah and father to two daughters.
Please keep the Morris family in your prayers.
Falls Creek Church Camp Experienced COVID Outbreak
A couple weeks after Morris served at the camp, the Oklahoma Baptists reported more than 2,000 decisions for Christ along with many other campers “making life-changing spiritual decisions.”
The statement also focused on a COVID-19 update and how the camp is working to combat any spread of the virus among attendees. “Having hosted more than 30,000 participants at camp this year, the number of positive COVID cases remains statistically low,” Oklahoma Baptists said in the statement. “Even so, we take nothing for granted as the well-being of every camper and staff member is foremost. We are treating the threat of COVID with the utmost seriousness as we closely monitor the situation and adapt our plans as this year’s summer youth camps end soon.”
The number of apparent cases haven’t been reported by Falls Creek Camp, but parents of youth who have returned home from the camp voiced their concerns. One mother, whose daughter had a 101-degree fever and a stomachache a day after returning home, said, “A lot of friends at the camp. There were several friends at the camp, and they had the same symptoms she did.”
Putnam City Baptist Church had to cancel small-group meetings and held only one Sunday worship gathering because campers returned home and tested positive for COVID-19.
It is unclear whether or not Morris contracted the virus from his time at Falls Creek Camp. No reports have linked the camp’s COVID outbreaks to his positive case.