EL CAJON, Calif. -- A youth pastor at an El Cajon church died on Tuesday after suffering a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting.

According to 10News' media partner the San Diego Union-Tribune, pastor Michael Hendricks, 26, died at Sharp Grossmont Hospital.

Jack Forness, the senior pastor of East Valley Christian Fellowship, told the Union-Tribune that Hendricks died eight days after he was stung by a bee in Alpine.

Church members at East Valley Christian Fellowship told 10News they saw Hendricks as a popular and vibrant youth pastor who connected with teens in a way others couldn't.

"He just preached the word with [a] true heart and just connected with us as fellow believers," said church member Dustin Rhodes.

Bible study on Wednesday night went on as it normally does at the church, but Rhodes said he the tough task of standing in for Hendricks.

"That's probably one of the hardest things I ever had to do because I wanted him to be saying those words and touching their lives," said Rhodes.

Friends said Hendricks' hobby was beekeeping and he did not know he was allergic. They said Hendricks would go to areas that had an infestation and attempt to relocate bees without killing them.

On April 11, Hendricks was attempting an abatement in Alpine when he was stung. He went into a coma before dying, according to the Union-Tribune.

"His body kind of worked against itself and reacted too much," said David Limbaugh, who is with East Valley Christian Fellowship.

Forness said he believes Hendricks was wearing a beekeeping suit.

"He had a heart for bees," Forness said. “He thought bees were under threat, and he found it soothing to be around them.”

San Diego County Entomologist David Kellum said on average, 40 people in the United States die every year from bee stings.

Kellum told the Union-Tribune bee stings are rarely fatal, even in those who are allergic.

Hendricks is survived his by wife and his 2- month-old daughter.

10News learned Hendricks became a youth team member when he was a teen himself at 19 years old.

Hendricks was ordained on Christmas Eve in 2009.

While Hendricks' presence will be missed, church members said he would have wanted them to be strong -- both in their faith and their resolve -- and that's what they plan to do.

"I can see it in their eyes. They're feeling grief right now but they're going to be strong and they're going to pull through this," said Rhodes.

A funeral service for Hendricks is scheduled for April 30 at a location that has yet to be determined.