I would say Galatians is my favorite. Galatians is such an encouraging book for my own walk with God. I know I’m in Christ and when I die I will be with Him. I know this because I have faith and believe that what God has said is what is true and right. When we accept Christ as our Savior we are no longer lost slaves of this world, instead we are "heirs" to heaven. And this is very encouraging to me.
- Jered's answer to an exam question on May 31, 2006

Click to read Coach Stanley's Commentary on Jered's Hope

Nancy's Letter

June 1, 2006

Dear Crusader Family,

We come to you this morning with a heavy heart. Varsity Crusader Quarterback Jered Pyles drown yesterday while swimming in Alum Creek with his best friend and fellow Crusader Paul Smith. The distance became too much for Jered and he could not make it.

We are saddened by this tragic loss, but we do not mourn as those without hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. While Jered may have gone down in the presence of his friend Paul, he rose in the presence of Jesus, his Savior and Lord, in Whom he had placed his trust.

Please be praying for the Pyles family; his dad and mom, Rick and Kerri, and his sisters, and the Smith family; Paul, his Dad and Mom, Bennett and Kim, and the rest of the family.

Jered was days away from completing his Junior year at Worthington Christian High School. Within hours of the Lord calling him home, Jered answered a final exam question with these words:

I would say that Galations is my favorite. Galatians is such an encouraging book for my own walk with God. I know I'm in Christ and when I die I will be with Him. I know this because I have faith and believe that what God has said is what is true and right. When we accept Christ as our Savior we are no longer lost slaves of this world, instead we are "heirs" to heaven. And this is very encouraging to me.

In sadness but with Hope in the One who has everything in His control,
Nancy
for the Crusader Family

Jered's Senior Testimony

We found this in Jered’s journal that he wrote in while in Peru last year on the missions trip with the church youth group and wanted to share his testimony.

Lord, your glory is amazing and I feel myself growing closer and closer to you. I ask you to break me and mold me into a vessel that you can use for your glory. I’ve spent so much of my walk with you as just a title for myself, “I’m a Christian.” It’s so much more than a title; You’re so much more than a name to hide behind. You’re a healer, a comforter, and a friend. I want my worship for You to be so much more than words; I want it to be a declaration of my love for you and my will to let you take me over. I want to be baptized in your Holy grace, I want to be used to spread your Word and show your love. This, my Lord, is the cry of my heart.

Proverbs 24:10 “If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn’t much to you in the first place,” Lord, I don’t want to fall to pieces during trouble, I want to stand up proud and face them head on. I can do this because I know you are on my side, you are the only strength I need.