The Kelly Family
Brian, Lynne, Julia, Liana and Judah
Brian and Lynne Kelly have lived in Africa since March 2001. They live in Uganda, in the capital city of Kampala, where Brian is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Kampala.
Brian got saved a year after finishing High School in 1996. Though he had grown up in a Christian home, he has never made a full commitment to follow Christ. That year, he moved to Murrieta, California, where he attended Calvary Chapel Bible College. It was there that Brian met his wife Lynne, who had also recently received the Lord. They were later married, and after two years of ministry in the United States, Brian and Lynne moved to Uganda East Africa.
The move was quite difficult. The Kelly family then had three members as Judah, there oldest son, was born in Georgia and was then one year old. Also, a month before leaving the States for Uganda, the couple discovered that Lynne was pregnant with their second child, Julia. Julia was born in Africa during the Kelly’s first year on the mission field. The move and then months following were challenging for Brian and Lynne. Their support was low, and Lynne struggled being so far away from her family. This was God’s way of training them, however, because He knew that Brian would be an important part of Calvary Chapel Kampala, a church they helped start. The next year, after an unforeseen turn of events, Brian became the senior pastor of the growing church. He was twenty-four years old.
God has been doing wonderful things in and through the Kelly family ever since. In 2005, the Kelly’s third child, Liana was born. She, like her sister, was born in Uganda. Judah, Julia, and Liana consider themselves missionaries too. They love Uganda, especially the tropical climate and friendly people. The church that Brian pastors is also a testimony to God’s faithfulness. As of 2009 the church has over one thousand people in weekly attendance with three Sunday morning services. There is no doubt that the Lord has a special plan for Africa, and for the Kelly family ministering there. They look forward to what the future holds for them in Uganda!
Their life is summarized by the following verse: ”I Have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the live which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”