NYC church prays for gospel singing pastor

The Friday crash with a driver going the wrong wan on a Pennsylvania interstate critically injured the Grammy-nominated Wright and killed co-pastor Betty Wright. Their 14-year-old grandson, D.J. Wright, died Saturday at the hospital.

Congregants at the Grace Tabernacle Christian Center refused to be bowed by sorrow following the crash. Women dressed in Sunday white and men in dark suits pounded their feet and sang joyful gospel tunes, forgoing solemnity to praise God and share memories of the Wright family.

"We honor the Lord for his goodness and his kindness. We say, in spite of everything: God is still good," the Rev. Frank Williams told the crowd.

Timothy Wright, the church's 61-year-old founder, was in critical condition, but speakers at the services reassured congregants that he was conscious and led them in fervent prayers for his health.

"He shall live," Williams said. "He has impacted too many people. He has paid some of our rents when he couldn't even pay his own."

Williams recalled Betty Wright's sharp sense of humor and strength, calling the 58-year-old "the most powerful, phenomenal woman."

"Their blood and sweat are in the walls," he said of the Wrights and the Pentecostal church, located in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn.

After congregants held hands in prayer, leaders called all former members of the choir forward to join the current group of singers. Amid the pews, tearful churchgoers danced and clapped along with the songs. One woman, bent and sobbing, had to be led from the room.

Along with the N.Y. Fellowship Mass Choir, Timothy Wright was nominated for a Grammy award for best traditional soul gospel album for 1994's "Come Thou Almighty King." He has released more than a dozen gospel recordings, including "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus," which came out last year.