Bringing Christ's comfort after car horror

A vicar who narrowly escaped two IRA bombings, a life-changing accident and seasons of deep personal struggle is now bringing Christ’s comfort to those facing their darkest hours.

Speaking in Doncaster, Rev Kelvin Burke shared how the “total fulfilment” he now knows – despite paralysis from the waist down – is rooted firmly in his faith in God.

Burke was just 23 when a runaway car crushed him during a Lake District outing in 1979, ending his dream of competing for Britain’s Olympic hockey team.

Yet even amid moments of honest lament – “rants at the Almighty”, as he put it – his faith endured.

A turning point came through a vivid vision: a crater brimming with water.

As he prayed, Jesus revealed it as a “lake of tears”, adding, “For every tear you have cried I have wept tenfold with you.”

Later, during a trip to the United States, a preacher delivered a prophecy that seemed utterly impossible – that Kelvin would marry and have a healing ministry.

But within two years he had wed Jennie, and after selling his Wakefield accountancy business, he was ordained, eventually serving as a hospital chaplain on the Isle of Wight.

Burke recounted the story of Richard, a fiery hospice patient who bristled when Kelvin signed off with “God bless!” and told him not to mention God again.

But when death drew near, a nurse rang to say Richard wanted him at his side.

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