A Great Loss:
I've been camping with my oldest son Zach this weekend enjoying time away from my phone and laptop. Tonight my friend Jimmy called to let me know about my friend Kyle Lake. Kyle who is about my age died this morning. From what I have gathered, he was electocuted when a mic fell into the baptismal he was standing in. He cried our for help and went under. Doctors in the congregation came to his aid and he was rush to the ER but he didn't make it.
I never met Kyle face to face. We talked on the phone a few times. Once or twice about something one of us had written and once when he was looking for church recommendations for his brother who is studying law at Tulsa University. Most recently he sent me a copy of his new book [re]Understanding Prayer and we made loose plans to get some coffee when he came to Tulsa for his brother's graduation this May.
Kyle was married to Jen and toegher they had 3 children. 1 daughter and 2 sons(twins). Tonight is the first night they are going to sleep with out their husband and father.
I'm trying to make sense of this in my head and I'm a bit confused and unclear. I can't stop thinking about his family. I'm also concerned for his church UBC, my prayers are with Dave and Toni Crowder who will be a couple of the key leaders in leading UBC through this time.
I'm at a loss of what I can do right now. I have this enormous flood of questions. As I was getting to know Kyle, in the few ways I did, it seemed like he was only getting started in his ministry to the world.
I don't know what to say except pray for his family. Jen and the young kids. Pray for UBC leaders, including Dave and Toni. Pray for the UBC community.
link
I've been camping with my oldest son Zach this weekend enjoying time away from my phone and laptop. Tonight my friend Jimmy called to let me know about my friend Kyle Lake. Kyle who is about my age died this morning. From what I have gathered, he was electocuted when a mic fell into the baptismal he was standing in. He cried our for help and went under. Doctors in the congregation came to his aid and he was rush to the ER but he didn't make it.
I never met Kyle face to face. We talked on the phone a few times. Once or twice about something one of us had written and once when he was looking for church recommendations for his brother who is studying law at Tulsa University. Most recently he sent me a copy of his new book [re]Understanding Prayer and we made loose plans to get some coffee when he came to Tulsa for his brother's graduation this May.
Kyle was married to Jen and toegher they had 3 children. 1 daughter and 2 sons(twins). Tonight is the first night they are going to sleep with out their husband and father.
I'm trying to make sense of this in my head and I'm a bit confused and unclear. I can't stop thinking about his family. I'm also concerned for his church UBC, my prayers are with Dave and Toni Crowder who will be a couple of the key leaders in leading UBC through this time.
I'm at a loss of what I can do right now. I have this enormous flood of questions. As I was getting to know Kyle, in the few ways I did, it seemed like he was only getting started in his ministry to the world.
I don't know what to say except pray for his family. Jen and the young kids. Pray for UBC leaders, including Dave and Toni. Pray for the UBC community.
link
posted by mark at
12:55 AM
3 Comments:
This incident makes me think of a phrase from the Funeral Office; "In the midst of life we are in death". Kyle was in the very midst of his life, doing his Lord's commands, baptizing and growing the Body. We will never, in this life, know the answers to so many questions. I am so saddend by this.
Most merciful God, Whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: Deal graciously with Kyle's family & Church in their grief. Surround them with Your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in Your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Mark,
I am saddened by the death of your friend, Kyle. You and his family are in our prayers.
John
Hi Mark,
I have been following the story closely since I heard. Although I did not know Kyle personally, I am in vocational ministry and am in his 'network,' as I am also in yours. It is because of this network that I too have felt such deep grief over it as well as thought of the future ministries that my soon to be husband and I will be in. Please know that a ministry minded girl in vocational ministry in upstate NY is thinking about and praying for Kyle's family and those deeply affected by this loss.
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