“ From the Earth To The Heavens: A Conversation with Kerry Lilly”

“I usually mention that our guests can be categorized into those i know personally and those I have never met, in the case of the latter, making our conversation on the podcast the very first contact with them.  Of course among the ones I have never met I try and become well aware of what we could call their accomplishments, in most instances, well before the airdate. Kerry is someone that our producer Laure Jill Strickland knows personally and I was most fortunate that she suggested him as a guest.  Like many of our guests Lilly has done many things with his life, so much so that it would appear he has had multiple lifetimes within a single lifetime.  He has worked as a coal miner, and, significantly, during a period in United States history when mining happened to have been a major source of basic energy in large parts of the nation,  Yet he is also an ordained Methodist minister and steel drummer!  Of course those three accomplishments do not exceed the full scope of our guest but you can see with that resume that he is full keeping with the spirit of our podcast more generally. I really enjoyed listening to hims speak about his life and the things he has seen and observed, and could easily have listened to him for an hour more.  I hope out listeners share in my enjoyment.”  Kerry’s Bio and more about his passions:  Born in Beckley WV to two wonderful parents. My mother was a life long educator. My father was a coal miner, butcher, farmer, and grocery store owner. I have four wonderful siblings. I have 3 kids and 6 grandkids. I am a graduate of West Virginia University. I have a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. I served 6 churches in West Virginia. I was also a regional director for YouthWorks! I started working in the coal mines in 1973. I have worked at mines in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.  I was a Co-founder of Red Bone Mining Company along with my brother Charlie. We mined coal for 35 years as a small mining company.  I have been a coal miner, a pastor, youth worker. I was a founding member of I was a founding member of FAITH Food Pantry in West Hamlin, WV. I was an original member of the Woodburn Commission in Morgantown WV.  I have been a mine rescue team member and captain.  I have an AA from Liberty Bible Institute. I am a retired Elder in the West Virginia Annual Conference of the Untied Methodist Church. I am currently a member of Grace UMC in St. Augustine, FL.  My greatest joys are my grandkids, biking, kayaking, and camping.  Visit our show website and facebook page  to see more links and wonderful photos! https://www.facebook.com/journeyofanaesthetepodcast  https://www.jouneyofanaesthetepodcast.com Additional links to places dear to Kerry : Concerts in the Loft, Wesley UMC , Morgantown WV