Popular Pewaukee youth pastor in hospital as wife delivers 3rd child
PEWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A popular Pewaukee youth pastor's life hangs in the balance while his wife delivers the couple's third child. Word of both has the Lakewood Baptist Church community praying hard.
CBS 58 was told it's a rare and aggressive bacterium that has Pastor Jonah Scott hospitalized and unable to speak. Five days after he was rushed to the hospital, his pregnant wife went into labor.
On Easter weekend, the youth pastor and his wife Sarah were due any day with their third baby when Sarah found herself seeking emergency care for her husband.
"It was a sudden shock. He was here the Wednesday night previous and ministering to the teens and the kids in the way that he always does. I think fun is maybe one of the best ways to describe him, just a fun-loving guy," said Pastor David Anderson, Lakewood Baptist Church.
Pastor Scott's Caring Bridge Page Site Home Page says what began as a strep infection spread fast, leading to septic shock, and Jonah is now fighting for his life and on dialysis.
"Since last Friday, he's been not able to communicate. He's been in the ICU and hooked up to all kinds of machines and they can't have visitors because he's in such a vulnerable spot," said Pastor Anderson.
Five days into his hospital stay, Sarah gave birth to their baby girl.
"I think her faith in God is on display and she's been a testimony of God's grace through this. Baby and mom are healthy, and we're thrilled that God has answered those prayers," said Pastor Anderson.
But with so many unknowns about Pastor Scott's condition, it's a stressful time, especially for the children at Lakewood Baptist who know him best.
"This is giving parents an opportunity to talk about the realities of life with their kids. Children's church time was dedicated to making cards for them and showing their love for them," said Pastor Anderson.
A GoFundMe is raising money for the couple's expenses. This week, Jonah's undergone multiple extensive surgeries to remove infected tissue from his body.
"We've not heard the doctors use like real certain language about recovery yet and so that's really why we're continuing in prayer. Personally shocked by this, it's reminding us of the brevity of life and how fragile we are," said Pastor Anderson.
The Brookfield Chick Fil-A where Jonah Scott once worked is holding a fundraiser next week from 5-7pm on Thursday, April 11, a portion of the receipts during that time will go toward the Scott family's medical bills.