Harvest Church Pastor With Trump Ties Is Positive For Coronavirus

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — A prominent Southern California pastor and author with ties to the Trump administration has tested positive for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Pastor Greg Laurie, 67, of Harvest Christian Fellowship tested positive after attending the Sept. 26 Prayer March on the National Mall with Vice President Mike Pence and evangelist Franklin Graham. That same day, Laurie attended a White House Rose Garden gala during which President Donald Trump officially unveiled Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett as his pick to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Sept. 18.

In a Facebook post that Laurie released Monday, he said he tested positive Friday. Laurie said he said his wife, Cathe, are in quarantine, and the rest of his family tested negative.

"My symptoms have been mild so far, and I expect to make a full recovery. I have always taken the Coronavirus seriously, and it has tragically taken many lives." Laurie said in the post. "At a time like this, we need to pray for those that have it and avoid politicizing it. If our President and First Lady can get COVID-19, clearly anyone can. I chose to first tell those I was directly in touch with and the congregation I pastor. Thank you for your concern and prayers. I hope to see you all soon."

Photos and video taken at both Sept. 26 events show a majority of attendees unmasked, shaking hands, and not following social distancing guidelines — including Laurie. The events have been dubbed “superspreaders” of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.

During the Sept. 26 Prayer March, Laurie delivered a sermon to the thousands of mostly unmasked attendees, asking them to join him in prayer to “heal our land.”

As of Monday, several officials in the Trump administration — including the president — have tested positive for the virus.

Laurie serves as senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside; Harvest Corona in Corona; Harvest Woodcrest in Riverside; Harvest at Kumulani in Kapalua, Hawaii; and Harvest Orange County in Irvine. He lives in Newport Beach.

The Harvest church has not released any public statements about Laurie’s positive test or his current medical condition. Additionally, the church did not immediately comment about Laurie's test result, nor was there any official word on contacts he's had with the Harvest congregation.

Laurie’s ties to the Trump administration go back to 2017, when the president selected him to serve as one of several evangelical church leaders to participate in the National Prayer Service hosted at the Washington National Cathedral following the Presidential Inauguration.