NFL Corridor of Famer and former Buffalo Payments quarterback Jim Kelly just lately shared how a lot God has modified his life following his latest public declaration of religion throughout his summer season baptism.
The 63-year-old, who led the Payments to 4 Tremendous Bowl appearances within the Nineties, shared a video of his pool baptism on Instagram final week.
“I'm not a person of many phrases and I don't converse 'Christian'. All I do know is that God modified my life,” Kelly wrote in her put up. “After Hunter [my son] he went to heaven I used to be so misplaced and offended with God. However God nonetheless cherished me and by no means gave up on me.”
Kelly's son Hunter died in 2005 on the age of 8 from a uncommon genetic illness referred to as Krabbe illness. Earlier than his loss of life in 2002, Kelly paid tribute to his son throughout his Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame acceptance speech.
Kelly additionally endured battles with a most cancers referred to as squamous cell carcinoma in his higher jaw. After present process surgical procedure for most cancers, the illness returned in 2018 and required one other operation.
In his put up on Instagram, Kelly emphasised that “God helped me to humble myself and search assist from him.”
“Turning into a Christian is one of the best choice I've made in my life,” Kelly emphasised. “I want I had come to him sooner. However his timing is ideal.”
“I used to be lastly baptized. I’ve so many individuals to thank, particularly all of the individuals who have been praying for me for thus lengthy. THANK YOU.”
In his put up, Kelly thanked his pals and his man group for serving to him “be a greater man.”
He additionally expressed gratitude to his spouse Jill for by no means leaving his facet and inspiring him in his religion, and thanked his two daughters for serving to him be a greater father.
“Thanks Hunter. It’s due to you that I do know Jesus and I’ll see you once more,” Kelly acknowledged.
Jill Kelly additionally posted a video and graphics of her husband's baptism.
“One of the best of summer season 2023. Jim's t-shirt says 'God's Actual.'” Jill Kelly wrote on Instagram.
“I’ve witnessed God work on this man's life for over 30 years. … And I can inform you that God is just not solely REAL, He’s devoted, reliable, type, loving, compassionate, highly effective, type, GOOD, merciful , forgiving… and a lot MORE.”
“[God] is immeasurably MORE than we will think about! He’s ALL!” Jill Kelly continued, citing Galatians 3:26-27, Matthew 28:19-20, and Acts 22:16.
In one other Instagram put up, Jill Kelly mentioned her ideas on the which means of baptism and what it means for her husband to take part in a declaration of religion.
“For these asking, … right here's what I do know and perceive about baptism: it's biblical,” she wrote.
“Jesus is our instance. He was consecrated to the Lord as a baby and baptized as an grownup earlier than beginning his earthly ministry. It’s an act of obedience,” she added, referring to Matthew 28:19-20.
“It’s an outward expression of an inward change of coronary heart. A change of coronary heart that comes via religion in Christ, which solely God can in the end present. It’s a motion of religion that unites us to Christ and His individuals,” she concluded within the put up, referring to Ephesians 3 :20-21.
Pastor Derwin Grey, who performed for the Indianapolis Colts from 1993 to 1997, commented on Jim Kelly's social media put up:
“Let's go! We're on the identical crew now! Crew Jesus,” Grey wrote.
Earlier than Jim Kelly's baptism, his pastor spoke optimistically about Kelly's non secular journey.
It was “15 years of Bible examine, prayer and development,” the pastor mentioned.
“We're happy with you, how far you've come and the place you're going is even higher.”
The pastor requested Kelly if he cherished Jesus and the previous QB exclaimed:
“Sure.”
Nicole Alcindor is a reporter for The Christian Submit.