Adam Busby Flies to California to Attend the Memorial Service of ‘Dear Friend’ Jarrid Wilson
Our hearts hurt for him. Adam Busby updated his Instagram Story on September 24 to let his followers know he was traveling to California to attend the memorial service for Jarrid Wilson, a popular pastor who unfortunately died by suicide on September 9. He shared a short video looking out a plane window with a graphic noting the date and time of the service, then posted, “In Cali for the day to say, ‘I’ll see you later’ to a dear friend.'”
Adam, 37, first shared a tribute to his lost friend on September 10. “My heart is so broken … In one of the darkest and most confusing times of my life, Jarrid Wilson sought me out,” he wrote. “When I pushed him away and ignored his persistent attempts to help, he stayed right there and wouldn’t be defeated … You were the one who encouraged me to go public with my struggle with depression because you knew how God would use my story to help so many and I have read countless stories of how it has and still is working in peoples lives. You were so selfless in your own struggle that you remained singing that Anthem of Hope at the top of your lungs for so many people around the world until the very end … I will see you again my dear brother.”
The Harvest Christian Fellowship Church blog confirmed the news that Jarrid had passed away. “It is with the deepest sadness and shock that I have to report that Jarrid Wilson went to be with the Lord last night,” Senior Pastor Greg Laurie shared September 10. “Jarrid also repeatedly dealt with depression and was very open about his ongoing struggles. He wanted to especially help those who were dealing with suicidal thoughts. Tragically, Jarrid took his own life.”
Adam is not the only reality star mourning the loss of the 30-year-old late pastor. Former Little People, Big World star Audrey Roloff also offered a message about mental health in the wake of his tragic death. “On Ember’s 2nd birthday we found out that our friend Jarrid took his own life💔,” Audrey, 28, began. “It was shocking and absolutely heartbreaking news. I couldn’t breathe when I found out and sobbed for hours😢. Ember saw my tears, ‘Sad mama?’ We sat on the couch together and she kept giving [me] pats on my shoulder and saying, ‘It’s OK mama, no more crying, happy mama?’ When I kept crying she would wipe away my tears and say, ‘blow mama, blow’ and she would show me how to blow just like I do with her when she’s upset.”
Audrey continued, “Mental illness has a lot of stigma around it, unfortunately especially in the church. I think we can be better, especially in times of mourning, to be less critical and more compassionate … Sometimes people just need you to sit with them, wipe their tears, and blow. We love you, Jarrid 💗.” We hope Adam and everyone else who is missing Jarrid has someone to sit with and comfort them as they heal.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
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