Tag Archives: Family

Little Kellen the First

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Kellen John Birkey

Kellen John Birkey

Kellen John Birkey was born in the early afternoon of November 17, 2010 to my oldest son Taylor and daughter-in-law Laura. He is their first child to go full-term through the birthing process and he is also our first grandchild. Kellen is also the first great-grandchild of my Mother, Donna Birkey. As far as I know, he is the first person in my family to bear the Gaelic name, “Kellen” which means “slender.” He makes my other three children aunts and uncles for the first time in their lives.

That’s a lot of “firsts.”

Life is made up of lots of “firsts” and this little one will be cherished as one. His arrival signifies many changes that will be happening more and more in our family. More “children” through marriages. More grandchildren from those marriages. More laughter, crying, general noise and activity again in our homes and at family gatherings.

This is the “first” time I am a grandfather, but I don’t really know yet experientially how to be that or what it will look like. First things first… Kellen must grow slowly day by day, and so must I. We must become grandson and grandfather over time and each learn from the other what it means. No doubt he will teach me many things. I look forward to the learning.

I welcome little Kellen the First into our family and look with anticipation toward building a strong grandfather/grandson relationship. I am truly a very rich man to be so blessed.

All Grown Up

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I put my youngest child and only daughter on a plane last night. She’s headed to Cape Town, South Africa as I write. It’s a weird feeling and somewhat sad to know that I won’t see her for many months and that she will be on her own doing new challenging things she has never done before.

But, we raised her to take this kind of a positive risk and encouraged her to do hard things. So, even though it’s emotionally hard to let her go as a parent (and over-protective Dad), it is also satisfying and exciting to see her growing up before my eyes.

I’m thrilled about what she will be doing, helping to serve the needs of kids through YFC World Outreach. You can follow her adventures at http://kathrynbirkey.com

Del Birkey

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Obituary – Delmar G. Birkey

Del Birkey

Del Birkey: 1933-2009

Delmar Gene (Del) Birkey was born Feb 16, 1933 at Foosland, IL, son of Alvin and Amelia Birkey. He died May 13, 2009, at Central DuPage Hospital at the age of 76. Del attended a one-room country school, then Fisher High School, graduating with the class of 1951.

In June 1952, Del married his high school sweetheart, Donna Schrock, and the couple moved to Columbia, S.C., where they attended Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University). Del graduated in 1957, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Education. While in Columbia, he served as pastor in several churches. He was ordained in 1955.

During the years 1962-1967, Del was part of the ministry of Youth Gospel Crusade, Westboro, WI. His particular specialty was youth meetings in churches using chalk drawings and magic object lessons. In addition, Del served as program director at Camp Forest Springs for several years.

Del earned a Master of Arts in Biblical Education (cum laude) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL in 1969. This was followed some years later with a Doctor of Ministry in 1986 from Bethany Theological Seminary, Lombard, IL.

Del served as minister at several churches in the western Chicago suburbs, but his most significant ministry was His Community Church—a house church that met for 15 years and was the culmination of his passion for renewal. Following that experience, he wrote a book published in 1988 titled, The House Church—A Model for Renewing the Church.

Another of his concerns was equality for women, especially within the church. In 2005, his book The Fall of Patriarchy—Its Broken Legacy Judged by Jesus & the Apostolic House Church Communities was published.

Del is survived by his wife, Donna; three children, Randal (Debbie), Cynthia, and Barry (Jenny). He also leaves thirteen wonderful grandchildren: Taylor (Laura), Noel, Marshall, and Kathryn Birkey; Ashley, Bethany, Ian, and Zachary Hernandez; Christy, Jenny, Katie, Jonathan, and Julie Birkey. Also surviving are four siblings: Carroll (Minerva) Birkey, Margaret Oyer, Floyd (Jean) Birkey, and Viola Stacey. He is also survived by Donna’s 97-year-old mother, Laura Mae Schrock.

The visitation and funeral will take place on Monday, May 18, 2009 at Hultgren Funeral Home in Wheaton, Illinois. Visitation begins at 3 PM. A memorial service will begin at 7 PM.

A burial service is planned for Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at East-Bend Mennonite Church Memorial Gardens, near Fisher, Illinois, beginning at 10:30 AM. – VIEW MAP

More Information

Memorial Gifts

Del was an avid supporter of both of these fine organizations. Memorial gifts may be directed to either:

Global Action
7660 Goddard Street
Suite 200
Colorado Springs CO 80920
www.global-act.org

or to

Christians for Biblical Equality
122 West Franklin Ave
Suite 218
Minneapolis MN 55404
www.cbeinternational.org

Please memo the gift in memory of Del Birkey.

Losing Dad

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Del Birkey

Del Birkey

My father is dying.

Those are words I did not expect to be saying and thinking and feeling at this point in my life. I am 55 and my father is 76 and in otherwise good health. Last week he had a stroke that has robbed him of his mind and the ability to communicate verbally. He is currently on a ventilator with feeding tubes and IV’s, some of which we as a family will very soon need to decide how long to continue with.

Dad is a committed follower of Jesus Christ. He has spent the largest part of his life in Christian ministry doing youth work, pastoring churches, teaching and studying the Bible, writing and thinking about Christian topics, issues and theology. He is not without faults and failures, but he is a man whose legacy is one of growth and change as he trusted and followed his Master… Jesus Christ.

I am proud to be his son, and to have learned about who Jesus is from him (and my Mom) since I was a little boy. My concept of God as my Father, and Jesus as my Savior and the work of the Holy Spirit in my life have been in large part formed by this man… listening to him, and watching him live out his life. Needless to say, his life has had a significant impact on me. I am going to miss him.

Yesterday I was reminded of some foundational truths that Dad taught and exemplified in his life, as I read to him aloud out of the 8th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Roman church as found in the Bible:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So, as I look into the future with the high probability of life without Dad physically present, it is good to know that neither of us will be separated from God’s love, nor will a physical separation between us be very long in the grand scheme of eternity. You see, there is a very real thing called Hope, that is based upon the above words being True. Christians believe that Jesus is real and that he actually is GOD (as he claimed to be) and that He exists today and the words recorded in the Bible are actually True. We gamble our entire lives and future on that fact. As Paul said, “…if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”

So, as I watch my father in the process of passing from this life into the next, I am even more convinced that what he believed and lived and taught me is ultimately True… not less true. His dying does not make me believe less because I see HOW he is dying. His example in life and during the process of dying increases my Hope and Trust in Jesus as Lord. His Lord becomes my Lord even more.

Dad is an example of a life well-lived for Jesus Christ. I can only hope to live a life half as well. I pray that I will be able to leave a similar legacy when my days are up.

Deep Connection

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Even though today was Mother’s Day, I spent time with my Mom in the hospital caring for my Dad. He was not doing as well today as he was yesterday. He seemed very agitated and restless and would not stay asleep longer than about 15 seconds. It was hard to watch as he really needed the rest in order for his brain to heal.

After over an hour of trying to calm him down, my wife suggested we try singing to him, She led us in some old hymns that Dad would know… and HE STARTED SINGING ALONG! It was unbelievable. He can’t talk or really put his thoughts together, yet when he hears the old favorite gospel hymns such as: It Is Well With My Soul, Great is Thy Faithfulness, How Great Thou Art, Jesus I am Resting, and many more – he actually went right into singing them with us!

It was another reminder that truth can be deeply rooted by a lifetime of study, application and celebration within the family of Christ. It was heart-warming to see him finding a connection with us in this way, even though he could not in any other way.

What a Day May Bring

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I ended my day much differently than I expected. Just got home from the hospital where I visited my 76-year-old father who is suffering from the aftermath of a seizure or “stroke” caused by a condition in his brain called “Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy.”

Here’s an article a doctor friend of mine found for me that is written in layman’s terms. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Strokes/2485 Even if my father recovers from this bout, there is no “cure” for this condition and it will most likely eventually take his life.

When I woke this morning, I never dreamed this would be how I ended my day. It is sobering. It is also a reminder of how precious each day of life and health really is, and who I know and have to thank for it.

At the close of this day, my advice is to hug those you love and tell them that you love them. Demonstrate that love every day. Walk the walk. One never knows when it will be your last chance. Better to have stated and demonstrated your love, and to have no regrets should a loff or tragedy occur. I’m recommitting myself to this.

I love you Dad. I am praying you will pull through. I leave you in Our Father’s hands.

Breaking Down the Stereotypes

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I am very proud of my family. Why?

Debbie Birkey tutoring at Breakthrough Urban Ministries

Debbie Birkey tutoring at Breakthrough Urban Ministries

Yesterday, our local Oak Park paper, The Wednesday Journal, contained an article about my family’s involvement at Breakthrough Urban Ministries, in Chicago’s west side Garfield Park neighborhood [Link to Pouring Love, Breaking Through article].

The article was very well written by Abigail Cramton, who reported the topic with balance, intelligence and clarity. It featured many quotes by my wife, Deb, as well as Josh Hawkins photos of her and our son Noel tutoring some kids from the neighborhood. Kathryn, myself and our other sons are mentioned, as well as other friends (Cindy and Mo Russo) who also serve and volunteer in this ministry.

This kind of service is not a big deal for us Christians to be doing! Most of our neighbors would never do something like this… and they don’t. Yet, Christians do these things regularly and often, and are still too often perceived as being uncaring, separate, uninvolved, hate-filled and politically conservative. The same paper that featured this article often portrays us that way.

“Modeling and teaching service to others is one of our responsibilities as parents. The same way we are servant leaders to our kids, we want them to be servant leaders in their own worlds.” – Debbie Birkey

What I am most proud of is that we can be a part of breaking down the stereotypes that many in Oak Park have toward evangelical Christians who attend our church – Calvary Memorial. I think that this article more accurately and clearly communicates the worldview that we hold to and practice. I am all for breaking down and challenging those myths and barriers that many of our Oak Park neighbors have. I am for clearly presenting and modeling the teachings and example of Jesus by serving others, caring for the poor and oppressed, freeing slaves and prisoners, and declaring the good news that we can be reconciled with God.

Yes indeed, I am very proud of my family!

Arloa Sutter also commented on this article yesterday in her blog [Link to Blog Post].

One Month

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Today I will have completed one month as a new business at Headstand Media. That’s something to feel good about. A lot was accomplished, but there is a long way to go yet ahead. I am encouraged with the progress, and trying not to be anxious about the future.

Not only am I now working with a friend (Benjamin Nelson), and with two great partners (David and Don), I have also met a lot of wonderful new people: Jason Z., Justin, Chuck, Aaron and Tracy, Tom, Jason P, Jackie, Ben and many more. It’s been a pleasure to go to the office and work around these new friends on a daily basis.

I have also been blessed by the many friends who have emailed, telephoned and stopped by to see me. Patrick Flanagan, Mark Goeke, Kyle Williams, Steve Tanner, Ken Wolgemuth, Noel Birkey, Chuck Thomas, Derek Taylor and Chris Arndt to name a few. Others have called or emailed to give support and well wishes: Barry, Lou, Cindy, Tim, Corey, Krystian and so many more. Thank you so much for your encouragement.

As with any new business, the customers are very important. I am excited to have met Joel, Lauren, Vincent, and others at Sunshine Gospel Ministries. I look forward to working with Brandon on all the DKG web projects. Thanks to Chuck, Steve, Kyle, Mark and Trax for the new referrals and opportunities! Dwight, the creative work is awesome. I’m going to owe you big time!

One thing is for sure. I can’t do this alone! It takes teamwork, friendships, communication and relationship building to make it work. It’s really all about people… not jobs and tasks, projects or the bottom line. Understanding that it’s all a gift from God is key. I don’t control this new thing. It really isn’t mine anyway. I’m just a steward of what I’ve been given. The question is, what am I going to do with it? How will I make it grow and multiply? Will I be found faithful, having invested wisely and accomplished much?

I aim to give it all I’ve got. We’ll see what happens.

Birthday Thoughts

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Today is my 53rd Birthday. Significant things to me are:
- I have now been married longer than I have been single. This is a very great thing and I am so happy to be blessed with a wife who I love more now than the day we got married.
- This is also Ronald Reagan’s birthday. I am honored to share the same month and day of the greatest American president in recent history.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

- Thank you to all who sent cards and greetings. I really appreciate it!