Kyle Lake
Encyclopedia
Kyle Lake was pastor of University Baptist Church
in Waco, Texas
, USA and an author and leader in the Emerging Church
movement. Lake was killed in an accident while performing a baptism.
to David and Shirley Lake. He attended Andy Woods Elementary and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1990 where he was co-captain of the state runner-up Lee Soccer Team. On May 30, 1998, he married Jennifer Gornto of Clear Lake, Texas
. Lake earned a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications and Religion from Baylor University
in 1994 before receiving a Master of Divinity
degree from George W. Truett Theological Seminary
in 1997. Kyle was a member of the Lambda Tau chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity at Baylor University.
, founded in 1995 by Chris Seay and Christian recording artist David Crowder. Crowder is also a main worship leader in the collegiate Passion movement.
Lake would always close his sermons with the phrase "Love God, Embrace Beauty, and Live Life to the Fullest," a benediction that is still recited by the church at the end of every service.
Lake was known for his ability to reach out to younger audiences such as the college-age crowd. Many students said they were drawn to his ability to preach the gospel in a way young people could understand and easily relate to their own lives.
He was married, and the father to three children, a daughter named Avery, and twin boys, Jude and Sutton Lake.
and more than 800 people were present when the tragedy occurred. Several doctors in the congregation rushed to Lake when he collapsed, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center around 11:30 a.m. The woman Lake was set to baptize was also rushed to the hospital, but she was not seriously injured and it is believed that she had not yet stepped into the water when the electrocution happened.
“At first, there was definitely confusion just because everyone was trying to figure out what was going on,” Ben Dudley, former community pastor at University Baptist, told the Waco Tribune-Herald
. “Everyone just immediately started praying.”
At a remembrance attended by about 1,000 people that night at First Baptist Church Waco, Dudley told the UBC congregation that they would move forward as a church. “I don't know how, when, why, where or what's going to happen, but we will continue as a church in the community because that is what Kyle would have wanted.”
Lake was a big fan of the movies Garden State
and Phone Booth
, and did an annual sermon series called "God in the Movies." He was also fond of the band Coldplay
.
On the morning of his death, Lake intended on preaching on the movie Garden State
as part of his "God in the Movies" series.
In the spring of 2006, several Baylor University
students and friends of Kyle created a short film based on his last sermon titled "Kyle's Film". David Crowder Band
and Robbie Seay Band
provided the music for the film, which features a montage of artistic images narrated to Lake's last sermon.
University Baptist Church
University Baptist Church may refer to:* University Baptist Church , in Austin, Texas, listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places* University Baptist Church , affiliated with University Christian School...
in Waco, Texas
Waco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
, USA and an author and leader in the Emerging Church
Emerging Church
The emerging church is a Christian movement of the late 20th and early 21st century that crosses a number of theological boundaries: participants can be described as evangelical, Protestant, Catholic, post-evangelical, anabaptist, adventist, liberal, post-liberal, reformed, charismatic,...
movement. Lake was killed in an accident while performing a baptism.
History
Jeffery Kyle Lake was born in Tyler, TexasTyler, Texas
Tyler is a city in and the county seat of Smith County, Texas, in the United States. It takes its name from President John Tyler . The city had a population of 109,000 in 2010, according to the United States Census Bureau...
to David and Shirley Lake. He attended Andy Woods Elementary and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1990 where he was co-captain of the state runner-up Lee Soccer Team. On May 30, 1998, he married Jennifer Gornto of Clear Lake, Texas
Clear Lake, Texas
Clear Lake is near the south shore of Lavon Lake, twelve miles southeast of McKinney in southeastern Collin County...
. Lake earned a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications and Religion from Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
in 1994 before receiving a Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
degree from George W. Truett Theological Seminary
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
George W. Truett Theological Seminary is a Baptist theological seminary in Waco, Texas. The seminary, named after Southern Baptist preacher George Washington Truett, was founded in 1993 as part of Baylor University.-History:...
in 1997. Kyle was a member of the Lambda Tau chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity at Baylor University.
University Baptist Church
Kyle Lake was pastor of University Baptist ChurchUniversity Baptist Church
University Baptist Church may refer to:* University Baptist Church , in Austin, Texas, listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places* University Baptist Church , affiliated with University Christian School...
, founded in 1995 by Chris Seay and Christian recording artist David Crowder. Crowder is also a main worship leader in the collegiate Passion movement.
Lake would always close his sermons with the phrase "Love God, Embrace Beauty, and Live Life to the Fullest," a benediction that is still recited by the church at the end of every service.
Lake was known for his ability to reach out to younger audiences such as the college-age crowd. Many students said they were drawn to his ability to preach the gospel in a way young people could understand and easily relate to their own lives.
He was married, and the father to three children, a daughter named Avery, and twin boys, Jude and Sutton Lake.
Death
Lake was electrocuted on October 30, 2005 as he stepped into baptismal waters and reached out to adjust a microphone. The event corresponded with homecoming activities at nearby Baylor UniversityBaylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
and more than 800 people were present when the tragedy occurred. Several doctors in the congregation rushed to Lake when he collapsed, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center around 11:30 a.m. The woman Lake was set to baptize was also rushed to the hospital, but she was not seriously injured and it is believed that she had not yet stepped into the water when the electrocution happened.
“At first, there was definitely confusion just because everyone was trying to figure out what was going on,” Ben Dudley, former community pastor at University Baptist, told the Waco Tribune-Herald
Waco Tribune-Herald
The Waco Tribune-Herald is an American daily newspaper serving Waco, Texas and vicinity.The newspaper has its roots in five different predecessors, beginning with the Waco Evening Telephone in 1892. The Tribune-Herald took its current identity when E.S...
. “Everyone just immediately started praying.”
At a remembrance attended by about 1,000 people that night at First Baptist Church Waco, Dudley told the UBC congregation that they would move forward as a church. “I don't know how, when, why, where or what's going to happen, but we will continue as a church in the community because that is what Kyle would have wanted.”
Lake was a big fan of the movies Garden State
Garden State (film)
Garden State is a 2004 comedy-drama film written by, directed by, and starring Zach Braff, with Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, and Sir Ian Holm. The film centers on Andrew Largeman , a 26-year-old actor/waiter who returns to his hometown in New Jersey after his mother dies...
and Phone Booth
Phone Booth (film)
Phone Booth is a 2002 American suspense-thriller film about a man who is held hostage in a telephone booth by a sniper. It stars Colin Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, Katie Holmes, and Radha Mitchell. The film was directed by Joel Schumacher, with music composed by Harry Gregson-Williams...
, and did an annual sermon series called "God in the Movies." He was also fond of the band Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
.
On the morning of his death, Lake intended on preaching on the movie Garden State
Garden State (film)
Garden State is a 2004 comedy-drama film written by, directed by, and starring Zach Braff, with Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, and Sir Ian Holm. The film centers on Andrew Largeman , a 26-year-old actor/waiter who returns to his hometown in New Jersey after his mother dies...
as part of his "God in the Movies" series.
In the spring of 2006, several Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
students and friends of Kyle created a short film based on his last sermon titled "Kyle's Film". David Crowder Band
David Crowder Band
The David Crowder Band is a six-piece Christian Modern Worship band from Waco, Texas.-Band history:The band began when David Crowder, from Texarkana, Texas, realized that almost half of the students at Baylor University were not attending church...
and Robbie Seay Band
Robbie Seay Band
Robbie Seay Band is a Christian rock/worship band located in Houston, Texas. The band leads worship at Ecclesia, a church in the Neartown area of Houston where Robbie's brother, Chris Seay, is the teaching pastor...
provided the music for the film, which features a montage of artistic images narrated to Lake's last sermon.
Published works
- (RE)Understanding Prayer: A Fresh Approach to Conversation With God, 2005 (RELEVANT Books)
- Understanding God's Will: How To Hack The Equation Without Formulas, 2004 (RELEVANT Books)
External links
- UBC Waco
- "Kyle's Film"
- Footprints project: The Legacy of Kyle Lake
- Sermon Downloads
- BBC News Article
- Christianity Today Article
- Baylor Lariat Story
- Does Electrocution happen for a reason?
- Brian McLaren remembers Kyle Lake
- Leadership Blog interview with Kyle Lake
- Rebirth after tragedy: A congregation returns to University Baptist Church
- David Crowder Band interview: A Collision of Life and Death
- Baylor Lariat Story: "Students honor Lake with film"
See also
Emerging ChurchEmerging Church
The emerging church is a Christian movement of the late 20th and early 21st century that crosses a number of theological boundaries: participants can be described as evangelical, Protestant, Catholic, post-evangelical, anabaptist, adventist, liberal, post-liberal, reformed, charismatic,...