Renowned motorcycle stunt man Robert “Evel” Knievel, known to fans as “America’s Legendary Daredevil,” passed away Friday, just months after his televised baptism at California’s Crystal Cathedral.
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(Photo: Crystal Cathedral Ministries)In this photo originally provided by Crystal Cathedral Ministries, former motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel, 68, right, is shown after being baptized this April 1, 2007, file photo, at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif. Knievel, the hard-living motorcycle daredevil whose exploits made him an international icon in the 1970s, died Friday, Nov. 30, 2007. He was 69.
Knievel, 69, died at his Clearwater, Fla. home after struggling for years with numerous health problems, including diabetes, Hepatitis C, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis – a terminal lung disease. The daredevil’s death comes nearly 7 months after his baptism at the Crystal Cathedral on Palm Sunday, April 1, 2007.
Baptized by the Rev. Robert H. Schuller on the church’s weekly Hour of Power program, Knievel’s actions and testimony given during the service moved over 500 other congregants to rededicate their lives to God, Schuller told Christianity Today.
"We started singing 'Amazing Grace,' and I started baptizing people, baptizing them as fast as I could,” Schuller said. “I had a little candy dish of water. 'What's your name? Okay, I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit' — crying the whole time and going to the next one."
A self-proclaimed rebel and “sinner,” Knievel, whose lavish recreational life included multiple private jets and sports cars, accepted Jesus Christ after experiencing the “power of God” in a Daytona hotel in March.
"I don't know what in the world happened. I don't know if it was the power of the prayer or God Himself, but it just reached out, either while I was driving or walking down the sidewalk or sleeping, and it just — the power of God in Jesus just grabbed me,” Knievel testified. “All of a sudden, I just believed in Jesus Christ. I did, I believed in him! I rose up in bed and, I was by myself, and I said, 'Devil, Devil, you bastard you, get away from me. I cast you out of my life.' I just got on my knees and prayed that God would put his arms around me and never, ever, ever let me go."
Although coming late in his life, Knievel’s faith was of primary importance to him during his last months, according to an excerpt posted on the biker’s website.
“Most important to him above all was his new-found faith in Jesus Christ,” reads the site. “Just as he always took great care in surrounding himself with the best people he could depend upon to help him make his jumps during his motorcycle career, Knievel found his greatest friend of all in preparation for his final leap from life. He was profoundly happy that he gave his life to God, who comforted him and gave him the strength he needed to make it through the end.”
Public services for Knievel will be held at the Butte, Montana Civic Center, 11:00 a.m., Monday, Dec. 10, according to Knievel’s website. Knievel is survived by his wife, Krystal Kennedy Kenievel, former wife, Linda Bork Knievel, and their four children – son Kelly, daughter-in-law Shelli, son Robbie, and daughter Tracey.
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Whoops ... that reply was meant for the article on "gay discussion to the megachurches" ... sorry about that.
If any church could be changed from their doctrinal viewpoint by various discussions, I would be very suspect on what that church's basis for their foundation is. If it is a person, it will fall. If it is the latest poll numbers, it will also fall. If it is the Word of God, I doubt some nice discussions from a group totally opposed to the teaching will change anything. In fact, I'd be curious if this becomes a revelation to the groups trying to persuade the churches to change their own lives. I'm sure the indoctrination techniques used by the gay agenda are semi-aware of this possibility but will try to cover every possible point in the discussions to come, but they never figure on the power of the Holy Spirit to change men's hearts. And God's Word will not return to Him "void" ... should be some interesting discussions.
There's a man who will appreciate the new body he will be receiving.
Matt 20:9-16 "The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'
13 "But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'
16 "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." (NIV)
The inheritance is the same at age 9 or 69 (or any other point) Praise God!
I wonder if he will have to drop the Evil part in heaven? Just a thought!
I do remember watching him in T.V. and telling that he wraps tobacco in 100 Dollar bills and smoke. Even though it was late in life, thank God that he found real peace and joy by knowing
Jesus Christ as his saviour. Let this be a warning for other celebrities that they will have to
meet Jesus Christ on the way, so let it be earlier in life and enjoy peace and joy for a longer period of time.
Isn't that what happened to the Apostle Paul? There he is on his way to "take care of those Christians" and Jesus totally turns his life upside down! I think it is awesome the way our Lord is no respector of persons. He knows exactly when to go after us! When you meet Him face to face, it is quite an event! All the time God is good zenodaddy! :o)
“All of a sudden, I just believed in Jesus Christ.'
Which is exactly what happened to me. One moment I did not believe, the next moment I was overcome with belief. Our Lord is Good :-)