JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Members at the Potter’s House Church are devastated after a longtime leader was killed in a car crash on his way to church Sunday morning, church officials said.
The crash occurred at the intersection of San Juan and Cassat avenues and left debris near the Westside church.
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Narlene McLaughlin, the church’s Chief Administrative Officer said she learned that Elder Samuel Coleman was in a crash when she was going into a Sunday School class.
McLaughlin said Coleman became part of the congregation just months after the church opened and served there for more than 38 years.
“He was a fixture in this church,” she said.
In recent years, Coleman also was heavily involved with Young Life, the international youth ministry. McLaughlin said he likely influenced “millions” of young people.
“Probably at all the conferences and conventions he went to on behalf of Young Life...I would think he probably affected millions of children,” McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin said the church family and Coleman’s biological family are grieving but plan to mark his passing with celebration. She said members will “rejoice” and hold a homegoing service to celebrate his life.
“We know he’s present with our Heavenly Father right now,” McLaughlin said.