Cover Story
Continued from previous page to start a motorcycle ministry called Renewed Riders based on Galatians 5:13,” recalled Jerry. “The ministry was set to start on March 29, 2016.” On the Saturday before the start date, that all changed. The couple had decided to ride their motorcycle to dinner with a group of friends. On the way home, they t-boned a deer at 60 mph. “Although we were both severely injured and spent several days in ICU and a week in the hospital, God clearly protected us,” recalled Jerry. “We believe that Satan attempted to prevent our ministry, but God had other plans for us.” Having a collision with a deer at 60 mph on a motorcycle and both surviving, is nothing short of a miracle. Lasting injuries were the loss of Kelly’s spleen and limited range of motion in Jerry’s left shoulder. Although delayed, Renewed Riders started in the fall of 2016 and continues today to reach people with the good news of the Gospel. “God is good.” The two have much to be grateful for. “As a couple, I think we have learned to trust God more and more,” said Jerry. “That’s something that we knew very early on, but it takes some ‘life experience’ to really see God’s provision, His plan and His protection at work in our lives.” Jerry and Kelly started dating as teenagers in high school. “I was 17, she was 15,” said Jerry, “so we have literally grown up together.” They were married at the age of 18 and 20. Kelly accepted Christ as her Savior early on but, has grown to make Him her Lord. “This provides so much peace and joy because as long as I follow Him every step of the way, I will make it through,” shares Kelly. “He is on my mind every moment. I want to do all I can for Him.” For Jerry, he’s learning to be more thankful, for both the “good and bad” things in his life, and sometimes finds himself taking God’s blessings for granted.
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PrayerFlight Magazine
“Simple things like just having a bed to sleep in every night and hot water when I turn the shower lever. God blesses us so profusely that we just come to expect it and I’m trying to learn to see His hand daily in the simple things of life.” Jerry said learning to give thanks for the tough times in his life – times when he couldn’t make it on his own and He carried him – “has allowed me to really appreciate the depth of His love and the power of His hand.” As a couple, Jerry believes it boils down to enjoying each other’s company, with the activities, just a way to get to be together. “Don’t get me wrong, I love flying and riding the motorcycle, but I enjoy just being in her presence.” Jerry says his love language is “quality time” and he can have a good time just sitting on the back porch watching a sunset. “We really enjoy any activity that allows us to be together, but we tend to gravitate
Fall 2020
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The Chisms on the road.