Two weeks ago, Crucified to Life was released into the world. A common practice in the book writing world is to get people to write endorsements of the book and feature them in the book so people who are thinking of buying the book can see what others said about it.
The individuals who said yes to endorse Crucified to Life are people I am deeply thankful for. Here’s how their stories have impacted my story.
The Story Behind Those Who Endorsed Crucified to Life
Greg Krafft is the guy who has been a part of Sara’s and my walk with the Lord from day one. He counseled us in pre-marital counseling, showing us what Scripture says about becoming a follower of Jesus, and what a good husband and wife look like. He baptized us and officiated our wedding. He was the first person I called when I felt this weird feeling that God was calling me to vocational ministry. And he’s been a mentor through all of it and continues to be today.
If you talk to any Christian about their journey with God, they’ll probably tell you about some key people who were catalysts and mentors. Greg is the first person who comes to mind for me. Honestly, I can’t tell you how thankful I am for him and his family, and the fact that God grabbed him and called him to ministry. I was honored that Greg said “yes” to writing the foreword for Crucified to Life. Here is some of what he said:
Over the past 8 years or so, I have been able to witness this passion for God and His truth grow. As I read Crucified to Life I could see the lives of Brandon and Sara jumping off the pages, I could hear his voice as I read this book.
This book challenged me to “get off the nickel” to stop “playing it safe” and lean into the real life I was called to in Christ. This book does not just tell us what we should do, it reminds us of whose we are, and what abundant life in Christ really looks like!
Brandon, thank you for letting the Lord use you in this way and Sara thank you for loving Brandon and co-authoring this journey with him.
Mike Kjergaard was the lead minister at my home church. He served along with Greg and was the preacher I got to learn from, grow from, receive encouragement from. Most of all, through his preaching, I discovered that Scripture is understandable and that I can dive in and see what God has to say to me. I would attend both services at our home church many weekends and take notes in both services.
Mike was and continues to be a mentor to me in ministry and in life. He is a constant source of encouragement and I’m so excited for what God is doing through him in his new ministry. I thank God that Adam Jennings invited me and Sara to Cedar Creek Church because God used the entire congregation to lead us to a relationship with Him. I thank God for the time I got to learn from Mike on Wednesdays at The Well where we took a deeper dive into Scripture. I was honored that Mike agreed to write an endorsement for Crucified to Life. Here is what he said:
Crucified to Life is a challenging, yet encouraging read. My friend Brandon Kelley pulls no punches when it comes to sharing biblical truth; yet his upbeat and positive personality shines through in his writing style. Chock-full of examples and characters from the Bible, as well as relatable personal illustrations, the book reads as if you are having a conversation with a friend over coffee. As the subtitle describes, it paints a picture of what it looks like to have abundant life in Christ. I recommend it for seekers, new believers, as well as long-time Christ-followers who need a reminder of the goodness of the Lord.
Nathan Hardesty is the lead minister at Bridgetown Church of Christ, the church Sara and I found a home at once we moved to Cincinnati to attend Cincinnati Christian University. From our first time there, we knew we had found a great church and a home for as long as God would have us there. We got to be a part of Nathan and his wife Nikki’s small group that they hosted at their home where we got to enjoy Christ-centered community. Nathan and his family were a blessing to us then and they continue to be a blessing to us today.
I get the privilege of going out to lunch with him every month to pick his brain, receive wise counsel, and be sharpened by his devotion to the Lord. Even though Sara and I weren’t able to be at Bridgetown for long, we grew a lot through our time there. I’m thankful that God is using Nathan and his family on the west side of Cincinnati. I was honored that Nathan agreed to write an endorsement for Crucified to Life. Here is what he said:
Brandon Kelley has a heart for discipleship that excites me. He is a passionate husband, dad, pastor, friend, and writer and this comes out on every page of Crucified to Life. Brandon wants us all to understand grace and has been given a special ability to not only identify common pitfalls but to point a way out. This book is a great read for Christians who want to be both challenged and encouraged as they accept their identity in Christ and their call to different living. Personally, I am fortunate to call Brandon a friend and thankful that his book allows others to glimpse into the life of a pastor who loves people and wants the best for them. If you want to experience the fullness of a life in Christ, this book is for you.
Clarence Garrett aka T.A.G. is a friend of mine I go way back with. This guy is one of the most fun people to be around. We were in Amway together, he was a groomsman of mine when I got to marry my best friend, and then he told me that he was a rapper and that was his passion. In fact, he told me that like the night before the wedding and ever since I have been jamming to his music wherever I go.
When I think about how God is using Clarence, I can’t help but imagine the amount of hope his music is giving people. He is a faithful follower of Jesus who has a great family that Sara and I appreciate SO much. Clarence and Tirzah have always been great sources of encouragement and have always been loyal friends to Sara and me. I often think about what we could do together for God’s kingdom if we lived closer together. It would be a blast. But for now, I’m honored that he agreed to write an endorsement for Crucified to Life. Here is what he said:
Brandon Kelley understands the backwards, upside down, subversive nature of the abundant life. Everyone wants the full life that Christ came to give, but what does that look like? How do we know that we have it? This book opens up the topic, explores the heart of the issue, and with surgeon-like precision, cuts away at the assumptions in our way. In the end, having left in view what it really looks like to have the abundant life.
Mike Edmisten is the lead pastor at Connect Christian Church, a church that is doing great things on the east side of Cincinnati. He is a partner in ministry that I have been privileged to get to know since moving over to the east side to serve at The Crossing.
He is always an encouragement to us at The Crossing and to me with my speaking and writing. He’s an inspiration. If you know the story of Connect, you certainly know why. I was blown away by his bravery for having me speak at Connect last year (that was a blast). Mike is a bold leader in God’s kingdom who is being used in great ways. I know that God will continue to bless Connect because they are making moves for the sake of mission and not comfort. I’m honored to know Mike personally and to be able to witness what God is doing in the church he gets to lead. I’m also honored because he agreed to write an endorsement for Crucified to Life. Here is what he said:
In a culture that craves simple answers and easy fixes, Brandon Kelley gives us the exact opposite in Crucified to Life. He leads us to embrace this paradox of following Jesus: the only way to really live is to die. Brandon connects the ancient text of Scripture with life in the 21st century, inviting us to step into the paradoxical, but wonderful, way of Jesus. It’s the way of the crucified. It’s the way to life.
Dr. David Roadcup is a professor at Cincinnati Christian University and at TCM International where he gets to teach students from over 50 countries in Austria every year. David was the first guy Greg told me to talk to once I got to Cincinnati to start school. And I certainly know why.
Dr. Roadcup, as I call him, is a tremendously gifted and tremendously humble minister of the Gospel. He has led great churches and he even helped start Promise Keepers. Since getting to know him, I have been blown away by his gentle spirit, his devotion to the Lord, and his mind-boggling wisdom for life and ministry. Every time I get to talk to Dr. Roadcup I am stretched as a man, as a husband, as a father, and as a pastor. And on top of that, he wrote an endorsement for Crucified to Life that I was certainly honored to receive. Here is what he said:
Brandon Kelley has combined good theology and practical application in writing his new book, Crucified to Life. The book speaks to several topics that need to be on the preaching and teaching list of church leaders everywhere. This book can also be a great resource for small group studies. I definitely recommend the purchase of this work for your ministry and personal walk with Christ.
Have You Grabbed Your Copy of Crucified to Life?
If not, you can by clicking here.
From the back cover:
“The best you is the crucified you.”
Do you deeply desire to know God’s purpose for your life?
Do you find yourself wondering “is this all there is to Christianity?”
God’s work in you did not stop at saving you from hell. He is at work in you today. He has given you a new reality that is better than you could ever imagine. In fact, Jesus describes the life you are to live with one word: abundant.
In Crucified to Life, you’ll discover the true paradoxical nature of following Jesus. You’ll be encouraged as you are given the tools you need to blast past the barriers that hold you back from living in God’s grace. You’ll be challenged to get out of your comfort zone and to relinquish control of your life as you walk in the way of the crucified.
“A Christian without a cross is not a Christian at all.” Are you ready to lose your life in order to find it?
