Falls Creek Guest Preacher Wade Morris Dies After Contracting COVID-19

The Rev. Wade Morris, an evangelist who spoke across the country, died Tuesday morning after contracting COVID-19. He was a guest speaker at Falls Creek Youth Camp last month. 

Morris spoke at the Christian summer camp near Davis, Oklahoma during the week of July 5, according to Brian Hobbs, Communications Director of Oklahoma Baptists, which puts on the camp. 

“We are heartbroken to learn of Wade Morris' passing,” Hobbs said. “His speaking ministry across the country and in Oklahoma has forever impacted countless people. Wade's a faithful minister of the Gospel and a great friend to Oklahoma Baptists. We are praying for his family.” 

Braeden Morris, a teenager from Amber who first heard Wade Morris speak in 2019, said Wade “somehow makes his sermons sound like he’s speaking directly to you. He makes you feel like you’re his kin.” 

When he heard Morris had died, Braeden said, “I was very happy for him because, not only did he die doing what God called him to do—preaching at Falls Creek, that’s what God called him to do—but he’s with Jesus now.” 

Chris Orr is an Executive Pastor at Beech Haven Church in Athens, Georgia and a friend of Morris for 20-years. 

Morris, according to Orr, started showing symptoms of COVID-19 the week following the summer camp, which hosts about 4,000 participants each week. 

Morris developed a blood clot in his lungs following a diagnosis of COVID-19. 

Braeden said he and his family also tested positive for COVID-19 after the Falls Creek camp. His father was hospitalized briefly as a result. 

Wade’s personality and natural charisma made it worthwhile, Braeden said. 

“I wish we could have avoided all getting COVID, and I’m very sad about Wade passing. But the thing I remember from Wade, is that he was more concerned about God’s kingdom than where we are here on Earth,” Braeden said. 

Exactly how many other people contracted the virus from the Falls Creek camp is not clear. 

Oklahoma State Epidemiologist Jolianne Stone said the State Department of Health does track outbreaks of COVID-19, “however, unless we are notified by Falls Creek about cases, or individuals report attending Falls Creek/other camps, we would not know of cases that might be associated.”