Minnesota Pastor's Wife Killed In Bus Crash In Jamaica; Daughter Hospitalized
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A bus accident took the life of a Minnesota mother of four and left her daughter critically injured Thursday night while the two were on vacation in the Caribbean.
Crystal Glewwe, 32, the wife of Pastor Rick Glewwe of Spring Lake Park's Substance Church, was killed in a bus accident in Jamaica while she and her 9-year-old daughter Kayden were enjoying a mother-daughter cruise. The young girl underwent surgery after the crash and came home Saturday night.
Rick Glewwe oversees the youth and kids ministries at all of Substance Church's locations.
Kayden is the oldest of the Glewwes' children, along with a 6-year-old daughter, a 4-year-old daughter and a 20-month old son.
Lead Pastor Peter Haas told WCCO Crystal's memory will live on in a brand new church that is scheduled to open on Jan. 31 in Spring Lake Park.
"Crystal was very disarming," he said.
Glewwe often greeted church members and newcomers as they came in, according to Haas.
"She would greet everybody's kids by name and she knew a lot about those kids," he said.
Haas said Crystal and Rick Glewwe met in a youth ministry several years ago and continued their passion for youth and family ministry into their marriage. He says Crystal inspired the kid-friendly ideas that will grace the new church so that thousands more members can feel Crystal's passion.
Haas says when Rick found out about the accident in Jamaica, he rushed there as soon as he could to bring home his daughter.
"At first we were shocked," Haas said. "It is heartbreaking because this is a couple that loved so many people."
While Crystal won't be there to see her life's work unfold in two weeks, Pastor Haas is reminded faith guides through the greatest tragedies.
"We don't grieve as those who have no hope," Haas said. "There's a silver lining that we are going to see her again."
The church is helping with funeral arrangements, and a memorial fund has been set up at Wells Fargo. To contribute, go to any branch location and make a gift to the "Crystal Glewwe Memorial Fund."
