Pastor Of Megachurch In South Bay Dies Unexpectedly

SOUTH BAY (CBSLA.com) — A well-known pastor in the South Bay has died unexpectedly, it was reported Friday.

Rev. Stephen Mays of Calvary Chapel South Bay passed away Thursday from complications during back surgery.

Mays was vocal about being a former gang member and former drug addict who turned his life around.

He took over the church in the 1970s, which had 75 members at the time.

Membership has since grown to 9,000 parishioners.

One church official said, "This is a day of sadness."

Mays was 64 years old.