Democracy Dies in Darkness

A pastor confessed to his church he was tired, and he planned a break. Then, the coronavirus hit D.C.

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April 11, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. EDT
Because of the coronavirus, the Rev. Howard-John Wesley films his Easter Sunday sermon Wednesday at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va. He said he was eager to come back from his break and help his congregation weather this crisis. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

After 30 years of preaching, the Rev. Howard-John Wesley confessed to his congregation in December that he needed a break.

“I feel so distant from God,” the fourth-generation Baptist preacher admitted in a sermon that was shared widely across social media.

Wesley, 47, has led the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va., for the past 11 years. On Jan. 1, he started a sabbatical during which he was planning to tackle some goals, including setting up better routines for sleep and exercise and seeing mentors and old friends.