Ryan’s legacy
Covering religion and spirituality means that I’m often surrounded by uplifting stories that touch my heart.
Such is the case of the story of Ryan McAfee, 19, (pictured below) the young man who was killed in a car accident earlier this year.
Ryan’s story, chronicled in today’s Oklahoman, is one that blends life and death and faith and hope all in one.
Kellye Medley, a family friend of the McAfees, said organizers of tonight’s Matthew West concert expect between 2,500 and 3,000 people to show up for the event.![Ryan_McAfee_-_2009-2-233x300[1]](http://blog.newsok.com/religionandvalues/files/2009/10/Ryan_McAfee_-_2009-2-233x3001.jpg "Ryan_McAfee_-_2009-2-233x300[1]")
Matthew West heard about Ryan McAfee after West’s song “The Motions” was played at the young man’s funeral. The McAfee family had learned that Ryan McAfee had posted the lyrics to the song on his last posting on his Facebook wall.
West was so interested in Ryan’s story that he’s kicking off his multi-city tour in Ryan’s hometown of McAlester tonight and Lance McAfee, 22, Ryan’s brother, will be going on tour with West to share his brother’s story with thousands of West’s fans.
“I get to encourage brothers and sisters, Christians and non-Christians alike,” Lance McAfee told me. “I get to tell them that we’re here to serve Christ and to serve others by giving our all today.”
The McAfee family said they were especially pleased that even in death, Ryan touched people and helped guide them to the Lord. His mother, Linda McAfee said about 15 young people gave their lives to Christ during an altar call at the youth’s funeral.
Ryan’s father, Danny McAfee said young people have come up to him to tell him that Ryan led them to the Lord.
“He inspired people,” Danny McAfee said.
The Rev. Kevin Meridth is the family’s pastor at Second Baptist Church in McAlester.
He said he was not surprised that so much has happened as a result of the faith-filled life that Ryan McAfee led and his last Facebook posting.
He said the youth was a “young man of great character and integrity.”
Meridth said he preached the eulogy at McAfee’s funeral and was thrilled when young people responded to the altar call that was suggested by the family.
“From a pastor’s standpoint, he (Ryan) lived his life in such a way that his testimony preached his own funeral.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
That song definitely has a message worth taking to heart.