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Former Buffalo Bills quarterback and NFL Hall of Famer Jim Kelly recently took to Instagram to share how his life has changed since publicly declaring his faith during a baptism over the summer. In a video of his baptism in a swimming pool, Kelly expressed his gratitude towards God for helping him through the tough times in his life, including the loss of his son Hunter in 2005 due to a rare genetic condition called Krabbe disease, and his own battle with squamous cell carcinoma in his upper jaw.
"I'm not a man of many words and I don't speak 'Christianese.' All I know is that God changed my life," Kelly wrote in his post. "After Hunter went to heaven I was so lost and angry at God. But God loved me anyway and he never gave up on me."
Kelly's post also thanked his friends, men's fellowship group, wife Jill, and two daughters for their throughout his journey towards faith. Jill Kelly also posted about her husband's baptism, expressing her gratitude towards God for being faithful and trustworthy.
"For those wondering, ... here's what I know and understand about baptism: it's biblical," she wrote. "It's an outward expression of an inward change of heart. A change of heart that comes through faith in Christ that only God can ultimately provide. It's a move of faith that unites us to Christ and His people."
Kelly has a newfound faith
Pastor Derwin Gray, who played for the Indianapolis Colts from 1993 to 1997, commented on Jim Kelly's social media post, expressing his excitement for Kelly's newfound faith.
"Let's go! We are in the same team now! Team Jesus," Gray wrote.
Before baptizing Kelly, his pastor spoke optimistically about Kelly's spiritual journey: "It's been 15 years of Bible study and prayer and growth," the pastor said. "We're proud of you, how far you've come, and where you're going, it's even better."
Kelly himself expressed how becoming a Christian was the best decision he had ever made.
"Becoming a Christian is the best decision I've made in my life," Kelly stressed. "I wish I would've come to him sooner. But, His timing is perfect."
Kelly's story serves as a reminder that even in the midst of tragedy and hardship, there is hope and faith to be found in God.