It is a rare gift for one to look beyond their faith and to appreciate the light of another's faith. Rarer still is the capacity to recognize the beautiful truths that shine through in all religions. My dear friend, storyteller, and beloved pastor, Dr. Kirk Neely writes in a unique narrative style. In December Light, he has brought to life a most moving spiritual tale of the intersection of Jewish light and memory with his own Christian faith. It is a blessing for both our traditions!

~Rabbi Yossi Liebowitz D.D.

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KIRK H. NEELY has been in pastoral ministry since 1966. He is a graduate of Furman University and earned the Master of Divinity and the Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was named a Merrill Fellow at The Divinity School of Harvard University where he did postdoctoral study.

Kirk and his wife, Clare, have been married since 1966. They are parents of five children and grandparents of thirteen grandchildren.

Since his retirement as Senior Pastor of Morningside Baptist Church, he has continued ministry through teaching in the Religion Department at the University of South Carolina Upstate, serving as Pastoral Counselor at First Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg, SC, and supply preaching on a regular basis. In addition to teaching, counseling, and preaching, Kirk is a freelance writer and a storyteller.