Bethany Reformed Church
705 Cajon Street, Redlands CA  92373  (909)793-1966

  Getting to Know… 

Kelly Fuller

Last December a wrong turn brought one of our newest members to Bethany. Kelly Fuller was searching for the Presbyterian Church but made a left on Cajon instead of a right and as she drove past Bethany she noted that the service had just begun. She drove past several times and felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit to stop and join us. Once inside, as the Praise Team lead us in worship and song, she saw something special in Patty Young and Jenny Trees and prayed for them during the service. As she prayed she saw a light, the Holy Spirit, come down onto the stage while the team was singing. Afterwards she spoke with Patty who gave her an invitation to come to the next Tuesday night rehearsal and play her guitar with the Praise Team. She did and she has been coming every week since then, blessing us with her talent.

Well, now that you know how she got to Bethany let me introduce you to her.

 Kelly was born in Tarzana, California to Ed, a business owner, and Christina, who did medical billing. An older sister, who now lives in Oklahoma City, and a brother, now deceased, welcomed her home. Later, a younger sister, now also living in Oklahoma City, was born. When Kelly wasn’t helping out in her family business, a mobile window-screening company, she participated in basketball, track and field, fast-pitch softball, soccer and volleyball; all sports Kelly loved in her growing up years. In fact, Kelly did so well in softball that she won a scholarship to Bethany University in Santa Cruz. There she majored in addiction studies and counseling. After graduation Kelly did drug and alcohol counseling at several facilities in the Santa Rosa area. She then moved to Pasadena to attend Fuller Theological Seminary. There she received a double Masters in Arts and Theology. During her time at Fuller she became severely ill and had to take two years off from school. It was through prayer and the intersession of her friends that God healed her so she could continue her schooling. But God worked in other ways too during her illness. She learned many lessons along the way as it shaped her faith, knowing that God heals and the process of healing increases your faith. In the depths of her despair she developed compassion for those who suffer. She is now an advocate for her mother who is very ill.

Kelly became a Christian at 18 years old when her friend Jolene, a volleyball teammate and now a missionary in China, asked her if she would like to study the Bible with her. Every week as they read the Bible together Jesus became more real to her and she accepted Him as her Savior. Her mom and her sisters became Christians after seeing Jesus in Kelly’s life and attending Bible Study Fellowship.

Over the years Kelly has gone on many short-term mission trips. Spain, Holland, Belgium, Egypt, and Uganda are places that she served and hold her heart, but none more dearly than East Africa. Shortly after making her confession of faith Kelly attended a mission conference and the speaker asked if anyone would make a full-time commitment to missions and she answered “Yes”! They were emphasizing Uganda and God put it into her heart that she should go there. Kelly followed His calling. She is confident that one day she will return there to be a spiritual director and counselor.

Along her spiritual journey Kelly has learned that the Christian faith is all about God’s love for us. It surpasses all things and there is such freedom in His love. His grace will continually sustain us. A favorite book of the Bible is Isaiah as it speaks of God’s passionate pursuit of Israel and thus His passionate pursuit of those called by His name. It’s a book of encouragement and of God’s steadfastness to His church.

Kelly would like her Bethany family to know that she has been thoroughly blessed by how she has been loved, accepted and received here and how hospitable people have been. Kelly, we too have been blessed, both by your talent and your prayers as you participate each Tuesday night with the prayer group. Welcome home!

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