A Texas youth pastor embodied the true meaning of sacrifice on Christmas Day after he gave up his own life to save another pastor and his son from drowning.
Kelly Clarke, a Texas youth pastor, moved to Costa Rica with his family as a missionary seven months before his death, according to KXAN-TV. On Christmas Day, he went swimming in the ocean with a fellow pastor, Pastor Manuel, and their families.
It was supposed to be an enjoyable bonding activity, but things took a turn for the worse when Pastor Manuel's son got caught in a riptide. Pastor Manuel immediately came to his son's aid, but he ended up getting caught in the same riptide.
That was when Clarke decided to act. He went in to save Pastor Manuel and his son, but he ended up drowning in the process.
Hannah Bower, a close family friend, said that Clarke knew what he was getting into. But because he was helping someone else, Clarke showed no hesitation to risk his life.
"He would have had to know what he was getting himself into when he went into the water because if it was sweeping other people under and he saw them struggling you know, he would have known it would have been a struggle going in there, but he still went after those people," she said.
Clarke's sister, Tammy Beard, also agreed. "That was my brother, I mean he would give his life if that meant saving another," Beard said. "He loved the Lord and wanted to be the hands and feet of Jesus."
Her husband, David Beard, has created a GoFundMe page after the accident to help bring his body back home to Tyler, Texas for the burial. So far, they have raised $17,700 out of their intended $15,000 goal.
"Kelly's wife Tracey and the kids will come back to Tyler and these funds will go to pay for bringing them and Kelly back and assist Tracey finding a place for her and the kids to live," the page revealed. "We want to thank each and everyone for their support both financially and the prayers. Kelly lived what he loved and loved what he lived. He lived to for Christ and spread His love and he loved living this out."
