Snake Salvation pastor's son to carry on tradition

MIDDLEBOROUGH, Ky., Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Following his father's death from a snakebite last weekend, Cody Coots vowed to carry on snake handling at his Kentucky church.

Pastor Jamie Coots, who starred in National Geographic's Snake Salvation reality series, died earlier this month when he refused treatment after he was bitten by a poisonous rattler during a service at the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus' Name.

“He believed in it enough he died for it,” Cody Coots said. “So I won't step down for anyone."

The Coots and the congregation they lead believed in a passage from the Bible that said God would protect believers if they were bitten by snakes.

Cody Coots said his father's death wouldn't change his beliefs, saying he would also refuse treatment if bitten. He played with fire -- literally -- at this week's service, and danced with the same snake whose deadly bite ended his father's life.