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Jan
15
Brian Kelly’s Faith Story
Filed under: Faith Stories

Hello! Most of you know me as one of the worship team drummers.I am 43 years old and have been married to my high school sweetheart, Becky, nearly 20 years. We have two beautiful daughters, 17-year-old Kaitlyn and 13-year-old Kourtney.

I went to a Protestant Church until I was 6. When I was 14 my mom and youngest sister became Jehovah Witnesses. All I knew was I wasn’t going to do the same because they didn’t believe in Christmas or birthdays! At that time my dad, my two older sisters, and I stopped having Christmas.

I didn’t start celebrating Christmas again until I met Becky. Until 1981, when I started dating her, I didn’t participate in religion at all. I started going to the Catholic Church off and on, but it really didn’t mean much to me until around 1997. I came across Unshackled on WCRF radio and fell in love with the true life-changing stories.

But I couldn’t understand what this talk was about having a “personal relationship” with Jesus and what a Bible-teaching church was. I would come home and tell Becky about having a personal relationship with Jesus. We talked about looking for a church where we could bring a Bible and learn from it as the preacher spoke. She was hesitant because of her background as a Catholic so we didn’t do anything to find a church.

I was still unaware of what a “born-again Christian” was in September of 1998 when I suffered a major heart attack that 9 out of 10 people do not survive. It wouldn’t be until months later that I would realize that God was involved in the whole event.

I was clinically dead for 7 minutes while the hospital staff refused to give up on me – a 34-year-old husband and father of two. I was shocked with defibrillator paddles numerous times, suffered burns that took six months to heal, and fractured ribs from the CPR. I was air-lifted to a hospital that could perform a heart catheterization. The swelling and damage to of my heart was so severe that the only thing they could do at that time was to put a stent in and get the blood flowing again. For the next three days I laid in intensive care on life support. They told Becky I had only a 50/50 chance of survival.

I did survive, but I went into a severe depression which required medication. I was afraid I would have another heart attack or never be able to rough house with my daughters or just live a normal life.

I knew Roger Kruse through Little League and I knew that he was a preacher but that was all. My brother-in-law knew Roger really well and told Becky that it would be a good idea for me to talk to him. I made an appointment to see Roger. I told him all about the questions I had from listening to Unshackled on the radio and over a period of time he explained the whole wonderful life-saving plan that God had for me and for anyone who came to Him and accepted Jesus as their Savor.

Roger explained that it was Jesus who made me call the ambulance that night and it was Jesus who arranged for me to be at the hospital when I went into full arrest. It was Jesus who gave the doctor, nurses and the staff the ability to save my life.

I gave my life to Christ on Christmas Eve in 1998. Since then God has brought me through a triple by-pass surgery, an experimental procedure called a DOR where my left ventricle and damaged heart muscle was removed, two defibrillators and numerous tests, catheterizations and depression. My wife and daughters are all saved as well.

We have been through a lot over the past nine-and-a-half years. God has always shown Himself to us in our troubles and brought us through it. He continues to prove His love for me while I deal with cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure and severe central sleep apnea. Not to many people can say they were born three times but I can joyfully say I was! I have no regrets and the last birth was the most important one of them all!

Brian @ 10:05 pm

10 Comments for 'Brian Kelly’s Faith Story'

  1.  
    Fred Littlefield
    January 25, 2008 | 9:25 am
     

    Brian,
    Thank you so much for sharing your story, it has inspired me again and I learned some new details this time about your early years. It has also prodded me to get my faith story on paper. It is wonderful to hear how God works in our lives and is still performing true miracles today just like we read in the bible. Your friend in Christ – Fred

  2.  
    Barb
    January 25, 2008 | 3:49 pm
     

    Brian,
    Thanks for your life/death/LIFE story. Boy, don’t we have an AMAZING GOD!

  3.  
    John Collins
    February 7, 2008 | 8:19 pm
     

    Brian,

    Your “witness” of Christ in your life and what all He has done for you has truly blessed me. What a remarkable God we serve. To hear tell of His wonders, that He STILL rules and reigns from on HIGH, showing just how great His love and mercy is!

    We have been blessed by your faithfulness, and that of your family.

    May God continue to guide, strengthen and bless you.

    In Christ,

    John

  4.  
    Dave Noble
    February 11, 2008 | 8:15 pm
     

    You didn’t tell me you wrote this, your in trouble! How awesome HE is ! Thanks for telling your story! May you ALWAYS remember this as fresh as yesterday. May you ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS, find comfort in our Lord Jesus Christ. He aint done with you yet!

  5.  
    Lee Fulk
    March 25, 2008 | 1:16 pm
     

    Brian, I so appreciate your transparency. It’s that transparency that God uses in others lives. I also appreciate how you & your family quietly serve at Cornerstone. You all are a blessing to the church body.

    Thank you.

  6.  
    Janice Farmwald
    May 2, 2008 | 11:42 am
     

    Brian, It is funny how you see someone every Sunday and not know who they really are. I knew you as the talent guy who enjoyed drums. Thank you for sharing your story.

  7.  
    Bob
    August 19, 2008 | 9:37 pm
     

    YEAH!

  8.  
    Jan Carlson
    August 25, 2008 | 8:27 pm
     

    Our God knew we needed you to play drums for the Cornerstone Praise Band!! Thanks so much for sharing your story and know that He is in charge of everything….He has so much more for you to do here!!!

  9.  
    Bakers
    January 13, 2009 | 4:08 pm
     

    Brian I did read your story months ago and browsing through the web site I just read it again. I’m glad your covered thru your relationship with Christ. It’s difficult when you continually are going thru physical stuff. We appreciate you and your family. We Pray God continues to meet your needs physically and spiritually.

  10.  
    Bruce Kumher
    February 12, 2009 | 10:00 am
     

    If this is the same Brian Kelly that was in the drum corp at Cardinal High School. Praise God! Even if its not Praise God! He Alone is Worthy!

    blessings to you and your family!

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