Another Popular Pastor Is Dead- You Will Not Believe What Killed Him
The Rev. Jefferey P. Kee, a social justice activist and senior pastor at New Faith Baptist Church on Columbus’ Near East Side, passed away unexpectedly on December 27, 2024, and will be remembered and given a funeral service over two days on Friday and Saturday.
Kee, 63, had been the church’ s pastor for almost 35 years and was well- known in the community as a singer, humanitarian, and community activist. According to the Rev. Tim Ahrens, former pastor of First Congregational Church, Downtown, Kee, who was known as the ” pastor for the master, ” passed away unexpectedly after battling an illness.
According to Ahrens, the two were good friends. Together, they founded and oversaw the Area Religious Coalition, a group of 75 religious leaders who addressed racism and prejudice inside the Columbus Division of Police. ” He had a wide reach in the community, ” Ahrens stated. In addition, they were both founding pastors, and Kee was a co- president of BREAD (Building Responsibility, Equality And Dignity), an ecumenical community group founded in 1995.
” You really measure someone’ s legacy by how they do the little things, ” Ahrens stated. ” It’ s the thousand points of light, a thousand little things that add up to an immense life, and his was an immense life. ” Kee frequently called Ahrens to go sit in prayer with those in need and advocated for equity inside the Columbus Division of Police.
According to the Rev. Karen McCleary, a pastoral assistant at New Faith who worked alongside Kee for over 34 years, Kee gave a sermon the week before he passed away. She described his passing as ” devastating” and claimed there was no proof he was ill and the congregation was unaware of his condition.
According to McCleary and Ahrens, he is remembered as a gifted musician and a strong, captivating preacher. According to McCleary, Kee expanded the church’ s physical space with a new building while heading New Faith and assisted in the spiritual development of its members. ” He emphasized Christian education and challenged people to know at least 50 Bible scriptures, ” she claimed.
” He would teach us from a level that most churches don’ t teach their parishioners, ” McCleary stated. ” So a lot of our members became very familiar with theological concepts and teachings. ” According to McCleary, Kee was not only her pastor but also her friend, confidant, and brother.
He was also witty, intelligent, practical, and perceptive. According to her, he would make fun of the congregation during his sermons, visit with families after services, and frequently have supper at the homes of the congregation. ” He had so many gifts and talents, ” McCleary remarked. ” He cared about everyone, he was amiable, and he thought everyone was important.
He was a unique individual. Acknowledging Kee, Ahrens described him as ” truly the most remarkable man I knew. ” ” He was really, really gifted and also he had this huge heart, ” Ahrens stated. ” He was always able to see those who were forsaken and forgotten and stand with them. “
