A Tribute to Gene Kelley

Article By Dennis Smith

Published in the Hoosier Times on 25 January 2002

The recent death of Gene Kelley, founder and executive director of Backstreet Missions, was a true loss for our community. Gene challenged and inspired others to live out the biblical command to feed, clothe, shelter and care for those in need.

Over the years prior to founding Backstreet Missions, Gene and his wife, Linda, took many homeless men into their own home. They then opened The Crites House in Spencer as a men's shelter before founding Backstreet Missions in 1995. That ministry has grown through Gene's leadership and sacrifice, and it now helps hundreds of people a month with food, clothing, shelter, and other assistance.

Gene Kelley's vision was that Backstreet Missions would encourage Christians from churches of all denominations to work together to help those in need. He knew that it was God's desire for His people to care for the hurting and the poor, offering them a helping hand and not just a "hand out." Because Gene's vision has been realized, Backstreet Mission's is no longer just the work of Gene, his wife and a few others. Backstreet has become the work of the many churches and hundreds of individuals in our community who now volunteer or support the ministry.

Although Backstreet Missions will continue its work, that does not diminish the great loss that has occurred because of Gene Kelley's death. That is because Gene's greatest legacy is in the life that he lived, and not in the ministry he founded. In a world where so many still question or ignore the existence of God, Gene Kelley was a living testimony to the reality and character of God and of God's amazing love for each one of us. Our loss is that we will no longer be able to see God reflected each day through the life of Gene Kelley.

Because of his own struggles with addiction and homelessness, Gene could fully appreciate the total forgiveness and acceptance that God provides to all those who accept His Son Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Gene became a daily example of the change that takes place when a man or woman accepts Christ, and strives to honor God by serving others. For that, Gene Kelley will be greatly missed.

Gene Kelley's life was a present day example of God's words in the Old Testament book of Isaiah, " ... neither are your ways my ways." God chose a lowly shepherd (David) to slay Goliath and become King of Israel, and He chose Paul, who had been persecuting Christians, to become one of His greatest disciples. God chose the "unqualified" of the world so that man could clearly recognize God's power at work. Similarly, God's choice to lead Backstreet Missions was Gene Kelley. With only an eighth-grade education and no leadership experience, he too was unqualified, except in the eyes of God. Because he was that constant reminder that God's ways are not our ways, Gene Kelley will be greatly missed.

Gene Kelley saw each individual through the eyes of Jesus. Whether homeless or prominent, whether addicted to drugs, alcohol or money, whether churchless or church going, Gene Kelley saw each individual as equally precious to God. He had the heart and compassion of Jesus, and he gave of himself for others every day. For that example of Christ's love and compassion for all, Gene Kelley will be greatly missed.

As the apostle Paul said, "... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Gene knew that he, like everyone else, could succumb to a sinful attitude or action. However, he wanted to recognize his own failings, so that he could seek and receive God's forgiveness and move on. He knew that God works through those who want to serve Him, despite their own sin and personal failures. For that example, Gene Kelley will be greatly missed.

From the time he was diagnosed with cancer to his death 11 months later, Gene never stopped thanking and praising God for His goodness. He knew that this life is just a moment in eternity, and he had no doubt that because he had accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior a glorious eternity in heaven awaited him. Gene trusted God regardless of whether he was to be healed of cancer. For his example of steadfast faith in all the circumstances of life, Gene Kelley will be greatly missed.

To some, Gene Kelley was "the guy who headed Backstreet Missions." To some he was a pony-tailed biker. To some he was an inspiring Christian brother and to some "one of those fundamentalist Christians." To those he helped, he was a caring man like most had never known. For me, and for all those who truly knew him, he was a treasured friend and a constant reminder of God and His love. For that, Gene Kelley will be greatly missed.

Gene Kelley's death is a true loss for our community.