After Pastor Robert Morris Nearly Died, Here's How Gateway Church Is Saving Lives

The members of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas are saving thousands of lives one person at a time. 

The church launched a massive blood donor campaign at each of its six campuses. According to Carter BloodCare more than 1,500 people lined up to give blood, saving at least 4,600 lives.

"This consistency and over six weeks' time is remarkable," Carter BloodCare's Lisa Goelzer  told Fox 4."We have been able to help some other community blood centers when we're usually at the point of asking others."
 
The campaign began shortly after Gateway Senior Pastor Robert Morris nearly died in April from rampant internal bleeding. 

FLASHBACK: 'He Was Steps From Heaven's Door': Robert Morris' Pulse Stopped, but His Wife Says Prayer Saved Him

Morris underwent surgery to repair a hernia on April 2nd. During his recovery, he suffered near-fatal abdominal bleeding caused by tears in three separate blood vessels, which required additional surgeries.

During that time, the mega church pastor lost about half the blood in his body. His wife Debbie took to social media asking for urgent prayer for her husband. Nearly 300,000 people from 48 countries reportedly lifted up Morris in prayer.

Many people in his congregation also donated blood on his behalf, ultimately helping save his life and thousands of others. 

Morris returned to the pulpit in good health in June. Soon after, he announced his plan for the blood drive. 

"I hope you can give blood, because someone giving blood is what saved my life," he said in a post on social media. 

After seeing the success of the campaign, Morris took to Twitter to express his gratitude and excitement.

"I am blown away by the love and generosity of our @GatewayPeople family! I am so proud of you for giving blood to save lives. @CarterBloodCare had hoped for 300 people to give blood, and more than 1500 people gave! Wow!" he said. 

I am blown away by the love and generosity of our @GatewayPeople family! I am so proud of you for giving blood to save lives. @CarterBloodCare had hoped for 300 people to give blood, and more than 1500 people gave! Wow! pic.twitter.com/Rs3F8iQPIS

— Robert Morris (@PsRobertMorris) July 11, 2018

He also gave a face to one of the many people saved by the donations. 

"This is a picture of Haylie Geraci. She is part of our @GatewayPeople family and is battling leukemia. Her blood type is B negative. Six people gave blood for her.Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Morris shared. 

This is a picture of Haylie Geraci. She is part of our @GatewayPeople family and is battling leukemia. Her blood type is B negative. Six people gave blood for her.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! pic.twitter.com/RJQIOpi3Vf

— Robert Morris (@PsRobertMorris) July 11, 2018