A Georgia-based evangelical pastor who was among the guests at the White House Christmas party has tested positive for coronavirus.
Jentezen Franklin, whose fellowship comprises seven seven campuses, received his positive COVID-19 result about one week after attending the event, reports New York Post.
Pastor Javon Ruff, one of the televangelist’s colleagues, shared the news with congregation members when Franklin didn’t show up to service on Sunday at the Free Chapel in Gainesville.
11Alive, an NBC affiliate in Atlanta, reports that Ruff told churchgoers: “We want to make you aware that pastor Franklin has come in contact with COVID, but he is doing perfectly fine.”
Ruff said that Franklin “is doing great.”
“He went and got tested and his test came back positive so he is doing the right thing to do and staying quarantined and continuing to be distanced,” Ruff added.
Franklin shared photos of himself in attendance at the White House party on his Instagram account on Dec. 15.
“Thank you @flotus and @realdonaldtrump for inviting us,” he thanked President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in his caption. “It was gorgeous! Merry Christmas everyone!”
In addition to five churches throughout Georgia, Franklin’s fellowship includes a house of worship in Spartanburg, South Carolina and another in Orange County, California.
Each of his fellowship’s churches boasts between 1,200 to 3,000 seats.
Franklin tested positive for the virus as a result of coming in contact with an infected member of his church, Ruff reportedly said to the congregation.
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