Farewell Coach-We Will See You Soon
Posted by: David Bunch
The sports world, and more importantly the Kingdom, lost a great great man this morning. Coach Duane "Beatle" Bailey passed away this morning after a 4 month bout with cancer.
Coach Bailey was a part of the Skip Bertman/LSU Tiger Baseball dynasty of the 90s winning several national championships-a couple of them back to back.
More important, however, are Coach's contributions to the Kingdom. He was a member of our church, First UPC of Denham Springs, LA. He worked untiringly in the men's ministry of our local assembly, as well as with Bro Jerry Dean and the LA District Men's Ministry.
He was guest speaker at college ministry meetings, youth rallies, and even spoke at a State Wide Youth Rally on the LSU Campus a couple of year's back.
If you've ever heard Coach Bailey speak, you know that you always remember what he said, and you left inspired.
Another thing I noticed about Coach was that although he was a seasoned saint, his walk with God was always fresh. He would literally sit on the front row at every service and cry like a baby as He worshipped God and reflected on His mercy. And while the sermon was being delivered, Coach had a notebook and pen and would take notes on everything that was said.
My brother and I often talk about a message Coach delivered to our youth group once. The title was, "Are You Committed? If So, Burn the Boats". He went on to talk about how the explorer Cortez, after landing on an island and hearing plans of a movement among his crew to turn and sail back, ordered his men to burn all the boats, thus committing them all to the mission.
Coach was committed to his mission and that was serving Jesus Christ.
Coach, you've now won the ultimate Championship Ring, it's a crown with a whole lot of stars in it. Hold on to that and when we join you we'll lay those at Christ's feet together.
And oh, I bet you aren't crying anymore.
The sports world, and more importantly the Kingdom, lost a great great man this morning. Coach Duane "Beatle" Bailey passed away this morning after a 4 month bout with cancer.
Coach Bailey was a part of the Skip Bertman/LSU Tiger Baseball dynasty of the 90s winning several national championships-a couple of them back to back.
More important, however, are Coach's contributions to the Kingdom. He was a member of our church, First UPC of Denham Springs, LA. He worked untiringly in the men's ministry of our local assembly, as well as with Bro Jerry Dean and the LA District Men's Ministry.
He was guest speaker at college ministry meetings, youth rallies, and even spoke at a State Wide Youth Rally on the LSU Campus a couple of year's back.
If you've ever heard Coach Bailey speak, you know that you always remember what he said, and you left inspired.
Another thing I noticed about Coach was that although he was a seasoned saint, his walk with God was always fresh. He would literally sit on the front row at every service and cry like a baby as He worshipped God and reflected on His mercy. And while the sermon was being delivered, Coach had a notebook and pen and would take notes on everything that was said.
My brother and I often talk about a message Coach delivered to our youth group once. The title was, "Are You Committed? If So, Burn the Boats". He went on to talk about how the explorer Cortez, after landing on an island and hearing plans of a movement among his crew to turn and sail back, ordered his men to burn all the boats, thus committing them all to the mission.
Coach was committed to his mission and that was serving Jesus Christ.
Coach, you've now won the ultimate Championship Ring, it's a crown with a whole lot of stars in it. Hold on to that and when we join you we'll lay those at Christ's feet together.
And oh, I bet you aren't crying anymore.
Thanks for honoring our friend. I will miss his smile. He was always teasing me about something. My prayers are with Lydia and the children.
Cancer you didn't win. Coach has claimed the grand prize on this December day.
Posted by
gwen spell |
Mon Dec 12, 04:51:00 PM 2005
Dave, that was a great write-up about Coach Bailey. He was indeed an inspriational speaker.
He will be missed on that front row, but we'll see him again!
Love, Emme
Posted by
Anonymous |
Mon Dec 12, 05:36:00 PM 2005
I join David Bunch in saying farewell to an admired member of our church family. We honor Coach for all he's done to advance the kingdom and the way his worship always inspired others.
Coach, your legacy at LSU was bigger than a baseball program. Thank you for helping us found a campus ministry that has touched the masses.
Posted by
Lee Ann |
Mon Dec 12, 06:09:00 PM 2005
What a witness Coach was - never afraid to tell his coaching buddies about his salvation. What better tribute to a speaker than for his message to still be and inspiration years later. Thanks, Dave, for sharing that with us as we all mourn Coach Bailey's death. I just wonder which one of the countless many he touched will be willing to take up his burden of reaching others for Christ?
Posted by
shirleymc |
Mon Dec 12, 07:11:00 PM 2005