The morning sun bathed the sprawling grounds of Covenant Church in golden light, the sky a perfect blue, untouched by the weight of sorrow that gripped those gathered. The news had come suddenly, yet it felt almost ordained—Pastor Jesse Duplantis had answered God’s final call.
At 75, Jesse had preached his last sermon just days before, his voice full of its usual fire, his laughter still shaking the walls of the pulpit. His message had been one of unwavering faith, of a heaven more real than earth, of a God so near you could almost hear Him breathe. No one had imagined that sermon would be his last.
Now, the church overflowed with mourners—men and women who had been touched by his words, healed by his prayers, lifted by his boundless belief that God wanted them to live in joy. They weren’t just here to grieve. They were here to celebrate a life that had been nothing short of miraculous.
As the service began, a hush fell over the sanctuary. His closest friend, Pastor John Matthews, stepped forward, his voice thick with emotion.
“Jesse didn’t just talk about faith—he walked it, lived it, breathed it. And if he were standing here today, he wouldn’t want us to cry for him. He’d want us to shout, to rejoice! Because my friends, if there was ever a man ready to meet Jesus face-to-face, it was Jesse Duplantis.”
A murmur of agreement spread through the congregation. Jesse had spent his entire life preaching about heaven, about walking streets of gold, about looking into the eyes of the Savior he loved so dearly. Now, he was there.
Suddenly, a recording played over the speakers—Jesse’s voice, full of that Louisiana warmth.
“If you hear this, don’t you dare be sad for me! I finally got my first tour of heaven, and let me tell you—it’s even better than I preached! But I’ll be waiting for y’all. Keep the faith, and remember: God is always good.”
Laughter rippled through the crowd, mingling with tears. He had left them the way he had lived—with a word of faith, a reminder of eternity, and the certainty that they would meet again.
And
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