WACO, Texas (ABP) — For many, it was only appropriate to remember Kyle Lake on All Saints Day, two days after the 33-year-old pastor of University Baptist Church died after being electrocuted while standing in the church's baptistry.
“Kyle, in so many ways, was a saint,” said his brother-in-law Scott Gornto. “He was the most beautiful person I've ever met.”
More than 2,000 friends and family members came from across the nation and denominational lines Nov. 1 to reflect on Lake's life, which ended abruptly and tragically last Sunday as about 800 worshipers looked on in horror.
Mourners expressed their feelings about Lake on several poster boards hung outside the church's sanctuary. The boards proclaimed a Lake maxim, “Embrace beauty.” One anonymous person wrote, “Thank you for your legacy.” Another simply penned, “You changed my life.”
Lake ministered primarily to college students, who make up the bulk of University Baptist Church's membership, and he was an up-and-coming pastoral voice in the emerging church movement.
The funeral crowd quickly filled the sanctuary of Waco's First Baptist Church, as well as a chapel set up as an overflow room — a silent affirmation of Lake's ministry and non-traditional congregations like University Baptist Church.
Waco-area pastor Burt Burleson, who officiated the service, exhorted attendees to honor Lake by recognizing his service-oriented, Christ-centered life. “Together we need to remember Kyle. We need to remember our faith, especially when our hearts are breaking.”
Lake is survived by his wife Jennifer, a five-year-old daughter and three-year-old twin sons.
Burleson referenced John 6:67 when Jesus asked his disciples, “Do you wish to go away?” Peter responded, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
“Here, with all of our questions, with all of our deep despair, as we face our frailty, we say with Peter, ‘Where else are we going to go?'” Burleson said. “You see, Jesus is a living reality to us in this moment.”
In an impromptu moment, renowned songwriter David Crowder, who leads UBC's worship band, paused to remember his friend before leading the crowd in a rendition of “It is Well.” Lake had a way of making every situation better, Crowder said.
Crowder urged attendees to be grateful for Lake's life, even in the face of overwhelming pain. “I really think the way to defeat this grief is to be grateful, to have a heart of gratitude.”