Local pastor, Russ Peters, stricken by severe illness on humanitarian mission to Guatemala

File photos: Russ Peters, pastor of the Alabama Full Gospel Church on Route 63 in Shelby, is shown in December 2016 in Albion, carrying a bag of potatoes after the Albion FFA delivered food to Community Action of Genesee & Orleans. Alabama Full Gospel used some of that food for Christmas baskets for 33 families. The photo at right shows Peters performing in Medina in September 2022 when he was a busker or street performer during the Ale in Autumn.

MEDINA – Russ Peters, pastor of Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship, is currently in intensive care at a hospital in Guatemala City.

Peters went to Guatemala on Nov. 11 to visit churches Alabama Full Gospel has partnered with for about 40 years, starting when Russ’s dad Terry was the pastor of the local church on Route 63 in Shelby.

One of the long-time church leaders in Guatemala recently passed away and Russ went to see that church and others in a mountainous region. It was his first trip there since the Covid pandemic. He used to go every 3-4 years, said Mike Zaidel, Alabama Full Gospel church coordinator and head elder.

Peters became gravely ill when he couldn’t hold down food or his diabetic medicines and his blood sugar rose to 500, his wife Jodi stated on social media and in a GoFundMe page. Click here to see the GoFundMe.

Peters has gall stones which caused vomiting and severe pain, leading to pancreatitis, his wife said.

Her husband was so stricken he couldn’t walk or move on his own. He was in San Cristobal, about four hours from proper medical care. Once moved to a hospital in Guatemala City, he received IV fluids, antibiotics, pain medicines and insulin.

Peters has been in the ICU for about a week. He is now walking with some assistance.

“Our faith is strong, but we are walking through a nightmare,” Mrs. Peters said. “We have limited, spotty communication and we are beside ourselves that he does not have family with him and that he is suffering.”

Russ Peters has been diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis and pancreatitis. He has inflammation in the abdomen and is in a lot of pain from the pancreatitis, his wife said.

The family’s health insurance was not accepted and they have spent $13,000 so far out-of-pocket. Mrs. Peters said there will be more medical bills and travel expenses.