A bivocational pastor in south Texas who also worked for an oil company has been found dead in his company vehicle, authorities report. The news follows a six-day search for him in multiple counties.
Phillip Loveday, 47, of Corpus Christi, Tex., left his home on the morning of August 2 for Kinder Morgan, an oil and gas company where he worked, but never arrived. In addition to his oil industry work, Loveday has served as lead pastor of Faith Christian Center in nearby Freer since 2019.
On Tuesday afternoon, Loveday was found in his company vehicle by a deputy sheriff who was part of the search effort. “He died of a gunshot wound. No foul play is suspected,” reported local media outlet 3NEWS. “Authorities say it’s clear that Loveday had been dead for some time.”
The vehicle was reportedly located in a “brushy area” a few miles from Loveday’s residence in Corpus Christi. Loveday did not have his cell phone with him.
Staff members of Faith Christian Center, who had set up a Facebook page to disseminate information on the search, posted on Wednesday morning that “law enforcement has found Phillip.” The statement added: “His family and friends are heartbroken by this news. Please be courteous to the family as they mourn.”
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Loveday was married with five children and one grandchild, according to multiple sources. His church bio also states that Loveday “gave his life to Jesus in the 4th grade at summer church camp (and) was called to the ministry in high school.”
Last week, Loveday’s wife, Meléa, “became concerned when she received a phone call that he did not show up for work or church” according to a police statement.
In a statement to The Roys Report (TRR), Tamara Smith Gaines, cousin of Meléa Loveday, said, “Our family is extremely shocked and devastated and would appreciate privacy at this time to make proper arrangements and grieve our loss.”
Gaines added in a social post: “We have prayed for answers for almost a week and today we have received the news that none of us wanted . . . please continue to pray for our family as we grieve the devastating loss of Phil.”
Another second cousin, Gigi Heard Lewis, wrote that “Hearts were shattered today.” She also wrote out her prayer, which sought providential comfort and care for her cousin and their family. “Lord, we don’t have all the answers, but we know Phil is with you,” wrote Lewis.
Daryl Hall, pastor of First Baptist Church of Freer, stated online that Phillip Loveday had been his prayer partner and they had met weekly every Wednesday. “My heart is broken, my spirit is crushed but the presence of God is deeply felt and I cling to His presence,” wrote Hall.
In his pastoral role, Hall also posted a brief Facebook Live video that urged people to “can the speculation” about details of Loveday’s death.
“Speculation is commenting on something that we don’t really know,” he said. “Let’s lift this family up and let’s not add to their pain by putting a bunch of garbage on Facebook.”
Through tears, Hall shared memories of his friend. “I tell you, my second round of cancer, when I got the news on that, Phillip was one of the people who reminded me that God is still good. That God is still sovereign. That our hope is still found in him.”
Hall also urged prayer for members of Faith Christian Center and the extended Loveday family.
For people seeking to financially help the family, the church and family members have directed people to a GoFundMe page run by Elizabeth Matura. Matura states that she and her family “have been friends with the Lovedays for many years.”
As of publication time, $5,086 has been raised of a $10,000 goal.
According to a statement from the Corpus Christi Police Department, an investigation into Loveday’s death is ongoing.
Freelance journalist Josh Shepherd writes on faith, culture, and public policy for several media outlets. He and his family live in the Washington, D.C. area.
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5 Responses
I do not know anything about this fellow – or what led to his terminating his life – but under any circumstances, this is horrible and heart-wrenching – and the grief of the family…????????
I’ve no idea of the particulars in this case. I do know that evil rejoices when we end our own life. They rejoice at the pain we are in, that leads to the decision. They rejoice at the pain that is caused to all who love us. If anyone wonders at the reason he’ll was created, it’s for the powers of darkness who plot and plan such things as this.
Some of the wondering about what was going on for Phil, isn’t unkind. The wondering may reflect a sense of how vulnerable we all are to what might bring us down. The wondering may be a vicarious empathy. Perhaps especially with those of us who have experienced such dire times that it was momentarily difficult to go on. Someone passing, as Phil here has, leaves a lot of difficult processing to be done by those surviving.
Romans 8:38 tells that GOD is stronger than anything we can do to ourselves and nothing can separate us from HIS love for us.
Pastor, Thank you for the good and much needed video. Hopefully many will read it. Many prayers have been prayed for this family and community from many areas of the country. I am a distant cousin writing from TN.