Snake-handling preacher killed by snake, just like his dad
Mark Wolford (Photo for The Washington Post by Lauren Pond)
If you lie down with dogs, you get fleas. Lie down with timber rattlers, and you’ve got a good chance of not getting up again.
That’s what happened to West Virginia pastor Mark Wolford, reports The Washington Post.
Wolford died while hosting an outdoor service Sunday at Panther Wildlife Management Area in West Virginia. During the ceremony, the lively preacher sat a rattler on the ground and sat next to it. The snake did what snakes do — it bit him on the thigh.
Instead of going to a hospital, he went home and tried to recover. His kidneys shut down within three hours. Someone called paramedics when it was too late.
Wolford, who combed the woods for vipers, should have known better. In 1983, when he was 15, he saw his dad die while “taking up serpents.”
But faith, which has never actually moved a mountain, has a way of moving people away from reality.
“Praise the Lord and pass the rattlesnakes, brother,” wrote Wolford on his Facebook page as a way of advertising the Sunday service.
His funeral will be held Saturday, exactly one week after his 44th birthday.
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154 comments Add your comment
Commonscents
May 31st, 2012
10:49 am
Only in West Virginia.
I Bet He Was A Republican
May 31st, 2012
10:52 am
RELIGION?
Is anyone surprised or shocked by these charlatans?
Mitt Romney’s Mormon religion believed in the White Horse Prophecy.
Most Mormons are unaware of their past leaders statements about the prophecy, but the concept that the constitution will one day “hang by a thread” and be saved by a Mormon elder seems to be well ingrained in their thinking.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Curious and Confused
May 31st, 2012
10:52 am
A man died. A family is now missing someone. He was loved by people. Even if we don’t agree with his beliefs or interpretation of the Bible (and many of you don’t believe in the Bible in any sense as indicated in your responses), we don’t have to mock him in his death. Seriously, have some respect for someone. And Mr. Mathis, you don’t have to be so flippant in your remarks either. Shameful.
jesus freak
May 31st, 2012
10:56 am
i think its called common sense!
Mike Lum
May 31st, 2012
10:58 am
It was Bush’s fault.
Wite&Rite
May 31st, 2012
11:00 am
Dumb &%$ got what he wanted, to see if he culd best Satan.
budman
May 31st, 2012
11:01 am
But was the snake ” saved “??
Al
May 31st, 2012
11:02 am
What the bible teaches is for the preacher to preach the gospel.What ever the Apostles did was to confirm who they were.After the bible was completed the instructions are to study to show yourself approved to God a workman who need not be ashamed,rightly dividing the word of God.If you love me keep my commandments says Jesus.Anything else is of the devil.Start reading and stop listening to everything you hear because you will be held responsible at the judgement. Please don’t try to prove anything with a rattle snake.He is full of deadly poison ,THAT IS ALL.Sorry the fellow had a mis-understanding.
BG
May 31st, 2012
11:10 am
God gave us a brain to use and this preacher failed to use his.
brk
May 31st, 2012
11:14 am
my mother, sister & I went to a church in NGa years ago & when they brought out the snakes we ran from that church we went with our cousins and did not wait on them to come out, we walked home which was a long way home. do not tempt the serpent, which is the devil