SINGAPORE - The Assemblies of God World Missions
organization reports that one of their pastors has died of SARS, the mysterious
illness that originated from Asia and has spread around the world. AG News
Service reported April 4 that Chinese pastor Simon Loh contracted severe acute
respiratory syndrome, or SARS, after visiting a SARS patient in a hospital
in Singapore. Loh pastored First Assembly of God in the city state located
south of Malaysia. Because of the SARS scare, churches in Singapore could
cancel some children’s programs and services. “We have four missionary
families in Singapore,” World Missions Asia-Pacific Regional Director
Russell Turney told AG News. “They are aware of the outbreak and taking
precautions, but SARS is a very dangerous and very real health threat.”