JARRETT GOODMAN

Staff Writer

The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the world’s most devastating epidemics to occur in recent memory. Across the year 2020, the newfound virus left death and devastation in its wake across entire nations, causing global shutdowns and public restrictions across vast populated areas. Ric Lyons, Pastor of Freed Ministries Church in Jasper, was among the millions who’ve experienced the virus firsthand and the significant impact it had on his in life.

Lyons’ experience with the virus occurred in March 2020 while performing in a live outreach event at Mardi Gras in New Orleans as the singer/songwriter for his band, Ric Lyons Freedom Fighters. There, he met and was mentored by Virginia-based Gospel and Blues musician Landon Spradlin, who was also a well-known pastor from his community.

“One of the things he was teaching me was how to travel and hit these places without money,” said Lyons. “We would raise money and do concerts and have money to go into other places, such as Mardi Gras.”

Upon participating in the outreach event, Lyons, alongside Spradlin and other musicians who performed with them, contracted COVID-19. Spradlin would pass away a month later after contracting the virus. Lyons explained that another artist also died due to the virus. Following Spradlin’s death, Lyons himself returned home to Marion County, where he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

“Back then, the tests took 15 days. So, I came back here, and I waited 15 days to get my test,” explained Lyons. “I was in quarantine at my house. And then, by the rules, I had to stay fifteen more days in my house after I got diagnosed.”

During his time in quarantine, Lyons took to worship via Facebook, eventually heading back out on the road long after his time in quarantine ended. However, Lyons explained he suffered from long-term effects caused by the virus even during recovery.

Despite losing a close friend to the virus and falling ill to it himself, his passion for ministry and music kept him motivated regardless of loss and medical hardship.

“In the process of losing my friend and all that had happened, I developed this heart for the streets, the areas, and regions,” said Lyons.

Lyons went on to establish Freed Ministries in Jasper, which today sits on East Valley Road within the original site of the East Valley Worship Center. As pastor of Freed Ministries, he continues to preach the words of the Bible to those who visit the church every week, with his purpose of outreach being carried over by the very friend who mentored him during the days of the pandemic.

“He spent that time to teach me to take the torch and carry it on,” said Lyons. “So many people have been touched through his ministry, through me.”

The COVID-19 pandemic forever changed life for many across the globe. Lives were lost, businesses were left permanently closed, and entire industries were left affected by the pandemic’s grip six years after its devastating beginnings. As life continues forward, millions across all nations learned and recovered from its effects, preserving in memory a global event that forever reshaped the entire world.

COVID-19 image by Erlon Silva – TRI Digital/ Moment/Getty