Multi-Site Pastor’s Brain Tumor Not Completely Removed

By The Christian Post

Published: December 21, 2009

The lead pastor of a Texas multisite church was informed by his doctor that the surgery to remove his brain tumor was not able to rid him of it completely, according to another pastor at the church.

"On Tuesday, Dr. Barnett informed Matt and Lauren that the findings of the pathology report revealed a malignant brain tumor that was not encapsulated," reported Scott Ballard on Wednesday to the members of Matt Chandler's The Village Church.

"The surgery to remove the tumor, the doctor said, was an extremely positive first step; however, because of the nature of the tumor, he was not able to remove all of it," he added.

So while Chandler was released from the hospital on Wednesday, the lead pastor of the Flower Mound-based church will have to meet with a neuro-oncologist to outline the next steps of the recovery process and will continue outpatient rehab.

"There is a range of treatment possibilities but the exact course of action has not yet been determined," Ballard reported.

In the meantime, church members have been asked to continue giving the family their space and not to visit them unless they've been invited beforehand.

"The best way to serve the family is to continue to be faithful in prayer," Ballard added.

Since news spread of Chandler's diagnosis last month, people from all over the world have been praying and fasting for the 34-year-old pastor.

Doctors found the tumor late November after Chandler had collapsed at home on the morning of Thanksgiving.

Chandler's church, which he has led for the past seven years, has over 5,000 weekly attendees and two satellite campuses - in Denton and Northway Dallas.

When Chandler took the helm, the church had only 160 people.

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