Memorial Service for
John Lewis
Kelley
 
A man that loved
his God.
A man that loved his Family
A man that loved his Ministry
A man that loved his Country
On February 24, 2004, well over
seven hundred people gathered at the Greater Rhode Island
Baptist Temple to pay tribute to a faithful soldier of
the cross. The church was packed. Each chair
was taken, the choir loft and surrounding area were
occupied by eighty pastors, evangelists and missionaries
paying honor and respect to their loved brother, killed
in the service of his ministry.
The service began with a video
presentation of Brother Kelley's life and ministry.
It showed his love for his dear and sweet wife, Jane and
his unending care and concern for his family. The
presentation portrayed his life and ministry since his
conversion to Christ and call into the gospel ministry.
The opening hymn was "Wonderful
Grace of Jesus"
Pastor Sam Stricklin, Brother Roland Vukic, Mr. James
Kelley, Pastor Robert Lewis, Pastor Wendell Mullen,
Pastor David Davis, Pastor DiVietro, Pastor Garland
Carey, Pastor Ed Cross, Brother Mark Girard, all had part
in the service by testimony and Scripture Reading.
The message was preached by Pastor Chris Baker.
Special music was provided by
Pastor Speroni singing "That Sounds like Home to Me". A
trio from Calvary Baptist Church sang "I saw Jesus in
You", Brother Barry Greening sang Brother Kelley's
favorite song "He is So Precious to Me" and Miss Darenda
Barta sang "Until Then". The closing hymn was "Amazing
Grace"
It was noted that Brother Kelley's
last sermon preached to his flock in Wakefield was from
Colossians 3 which starts out :
1
If ye then be risen with
Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ
sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection
on things above, not on things on the earth.
3
For ye
are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4
When Christ, who is
our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with
him in glory.
His first text in
Baghdad was:
Isaiah
61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me;
because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings
unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and
the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
In
final tribute to Brother John Kelley and in honor of his
family and friends who have gathered in his memory, an
honor line composed of all the preachers was formed.
Passing through that line of honor came the body of our
dear brother followed by those in attendance.
A very
long, (my estimate of at least one hundred cars)
processional made its way to the Veterans Memorial
Cemetery.
 Upon
arrival, three United States Marines in full Dress Blues,
stood at attention as one of their own was laid to rest.
Members of the Rhode Island National Guard stood also in
tribute. After the finial words of comfort, the assurance
of the resurrection and the committal of the body to
ground, two of the Marines crisply and respectfully
removed the American Flag draped over the casket.
After properly folding it, saluting in respect presented
it to Sister Jane Kelley and family.
 At that time
Taps was played as a moment of silence and contemplation
settled in. The still and quiet moment was then
broken as the Rhode Island National Guard then gave a
three round gun solute in honor of Brother Kelley.
John Kelley USMC
Those in attendance
were invited back to the Greater Rhode Island Baptist
Temple for a time of refreshment and fellowship.
And I
heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed
are the dead which die in the Lord from
henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest
from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Revelation
14:13
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