Mike King

David Victor King Obituary

David Victor King, 80, of Lee’s Summit, MO passed away on Aug. 29, 2013. The Memorial Service will be Tuesday night, September 3, 2013, 7:00pm at the Youthfront Auditorium, 4715 Rainbow Blvd, Shawnee Mission, KS, 66205.  A time of visitation will begin at 5:30pm until 6:50pm preceding the Memorial Service.  David was born Dec. 12, 1932 in Osage City, KS to Dave and Elizabeth King. David married Wanda Louise Michael and raised four children.  He retired from Deutz-Allis in 1998 only to begin a new career at Youthfront, fulfilling his passion for youth ministry.  He continued working fulltime to the day of his death. He is survived by his wife and love of his life for 58 years, Wanda; children, Mike King, Tammy Nuckolls, Lea Ann Roach and Tracy Rainey; daughter in law, Vicki King; sons in law, Jamie Roach and David Rainey; siblings, Eddie King, Mary Herzog, Judy Griffin; his beloved 6 grandsons and 6 granddaughters; 3 great granddaughters; numerous nieces and nephews; and innumerable friends and adopted kids and grandkids in the faith.  Dave was hailed by all who know him as a Man of God and a Man of Prayer.  The world groans in his death. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts for Dave King be made to the Youth Ministry Fund at Youthfront. 

Memorial Service for David Victor King

The Memorial Service for David Victor King will be Tuesday night, September 3, 2013, 7:00pm at the Youthfront Auditorium, 4715 Rainbow Blvd., Shawnee Mission, Kansas, 66205. A time of visitation will begin at 5:30pm until 6:50pm preceding the Memorial Service.

Dave King's Death

Early this morning my father took his last breath. 

Last night was a good night.  His hospital room was full of family and friends.  He referred to the gathering as a party and he was in true form, witty, pastoral, and hope-filled.  He was still working, caring and thinking about the Youthfront donors that he ministered to.  He was talking about his grand-kids and plans for the future.  In more quiet moments he worried about slowing the family down because “You all have so much to do.”  He wondered what he needed to do to get better.  He flirted with my mom.  He was happy to see the Royals win their 4^th game in a row.  He wanted to talk about plans for Youthfront’s future.  He expressed gratitude for how his family and friends had faithfully walked with him through these seven weeks.  It was a good, good night.

At 4:00am we gathered around his lifeless body, wept and wrestled with the idea of his death.  At 6:00am, we circled his bed, read a Psalm, and prayed this prayer, "May Dave, our father, husband, grandfather, friend and man of God rest in peace where sorrow and pain are banished, and may the everlasting light of your merciful love shine upon him; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Give us grace so to follow his good example, that with him we may be partakers of your heavenly kingdom.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

We ended with a tearful Amazing Grace.

We know that death is our enemy.  There is nothing romantic about it.  Death is a tragedy.  I Corinthians 15:26 declares “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”  How fitting that this verse is nestled in a chapter about resurrection.  Jesus Christ arose from the dead.  Resurrection is our hope. “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” I Corinthians 15:20.

My father, consistent with his good life, gave us the gift of a good death. 

 

Update On My Father, Dave King

It has been nearly two weeks since my last update on the health status of my father, Dave King.  Two weeks ago we checked him out of the hospital to begin in residence rehab.  The first week there he made amazing progress.  He had his first field trip to Youthfront LaCygne for Great Granddaughter Teagan's 1st Birthday (pictured).  Three nights later he went to Kaufmann Stadium to watch the Royals play the White Sox.  Our friend, Ryan Lefebvre, the voice of the Kansas City Royals invited my dad up to the press box where he does the TV and radio broadcasts.  He got to hangout with Denny Matthews and Rex Hudler.  He was definitely feeling the VIP status.

 

Last Thursday he became very lethargic and went downhill over a two and a half day period.  We took him back to the hospital on Saturday.  His pneumonia was back, along with sepsis, kidney failure, and dehydration. Sunday was a very rough day. My dad has never been much of a singer but for a couple of hours while he was unconscious he sang praises to God, very Psalms like, then he would break out into prayer for family, friends and ministry before returning to song.  We thought he was on his swan song.  But, however, and not yet, by the next morning he was fully alert again and back to where he was a week before.  He's a strong man.  We have some new specialists working with him and continue to hope for his recovery.  He should not be in this situation.  Those who have visited him in the hospital consistently get an experience of blessing and ministry that they will probably never forget.  Yes, this is exhausting emotionally, physically and spiritually.  We have a big family here in Kansas City and it's been amazing to watch so many of his grandchildren step up with care, love and presence during this trial.  Also, my mother has been amazing during this ordeal.  Peace to you and Joy.

“You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you.” C.S. Lewis

“The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered...We know that. And yes, there are certainly times when we aren't able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It's called being human. But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful.” Elizabeth Edwards 

Ashton (Chris) Kutcher Speaks Words of Wisdom to America's Teenagers

I must admit that I choked up watching this video of Actor Ashton Kutcher speaking onstage at the Teen Choice Awards 2013 at the Gibson Amphitheatre on August 11, 2013 in Universal City, California. Love it. Gives us more of this celebrities and grow up.

Don't Miss PRELUDE a SENTRALIZED Pre-Conference event, presented by YOUTHFRONT

September 25-26, 2013

PRELUDE: an introductory action, or event preceding and preparing for a principal and/or extremely important matter

We invite you to join us at Youthfront Camp, located just 15 minutes from the Sentralized conference site, and enter into a time of formation and learning with each other as we explore our participation in God's unfolding story and the transformation of the emerging generation. 

 

This year we will focus on:

* Nurturing flourishing communities of Christian practice.

* Spiritual formation of youth and young adults.

* Crafting life giving spiritual rhythms.

* Unleashing the imagination of youth and young adults for the missio Dei.

* Contextualizing Christian Formation for pre-adolescents, middle school, high school and late adolescents.

* Intergenerational ministry paradigms.

* Rethinking, reimagining evangelism.

SENTRALIZED: Sept. 26-28 

WHERE: Youthfront Camp in Edgerton, KS

WHEN: Prelude begins at 10AM on Wednesday, September 25 and ends Thursday midday, September 26 in time for Sentralized registration and kickoff.

Why another conference? Two reasons. First, we believe there is a need to continue to bring clarity to the missional conversation. By bringing together some of today's best missional thinkers; we desire to assist God's people in thinking deeply about God's mission in the world. Second, we want to ensure the missional conversation moves beyond theory. We want to inspire and propel the church to engage in God's mission in life changing ways. That is why a significant feature of the conference will focus on practical engagement; through the stories and personal examples of some of the best missional practitioners around.

For more information about Sentralized or to enroll, click the button below:

 

Update on My Father Dave King

After five long, exhausting and frightening weeks my father was able to leave the hospital on Tuesday afternoon. He was released to begin therapy at The Villages in Independence, MO. We hope this phase will take no more than five to six weeks before he can go home.  He went in for a procedure to fix a hietal hernia.  A procedure that should be a two or three day hospital stay followed by a short recovery period.  We are still befuddled by what happened that led to his life and death month long struggle. We were told over and over again that he had the body of a 60-year-old, not an 80-year-old. Until the day before he went into the hospital he was still working full-time in ministry. Today, it seems like he has aged 15 years.

Tuesday night was his first night staying by himself without a friend or family member.  I was the first to arrive to see him on Wednesday morning.  He was really discouraged, wondering if he would ever get out of this place.  I told him that he had to pretend that he was in training camp like the Chiefs (my dad and I are big sports friends on most of the same teams, except he is alot more fanatical about the KU Jayhawks than I am).  I told him the Chiefs players have to leave their nice homes and stay in a college dorm room in order to work their butts off to be ready for the season. I used his speeches to me when I was a kid about not quitting and giving it my best even though the obstacles appeared to be insurmountable.  I told him the harder he worked on his physical therapy the sooner he could go home.  I also reminded him that his most precious ministry was his life of prayer. I reminded him about the mothers and fathers of the church who spent years in their cells, or caves and other places of solitary where they met Jesus and prayed in the most profound ways.  I think he's embracing that challenge. Continue praying that he will have a good outlook and the strength and resolve to work hard at getting better.

Here's a picture of great-granddaughter Teagan with Great Grandpa.