Evel Knieval: Daredevil for Christ
December 1, 2007 by pistolpete
I just received word of Evel Knieval’s death. I thought it would be a good time to bring out this previous piece I posted some months ago….
According to the June 2007 issue of Christianity Today, motorcycle daredevil “Evel” Knieval has become a Christian. Knieval told the congregation at the Crystal Cathedral -
“I don’t know what in the world happened. I don’t know if it was the power of prayer, or God himself, but it just reached out, either while I was driving or walking down the sidewalk or sleeping, and it just — the power of God in Jesus just grabbed me… All of a sudden I just believed in Jesus Christ. I did, I believed in him!”
Knieval’s testimony sparked a mass of people coming forward to be baptized. Pastor Robert A. Schuller estimates that, in two services that day, over 500 to 800 people committed or rededicated their lives to God.
I remember watching Knieval’s daredevil stunts on Wide World of Sports growing up. He seemed to show no fear and took risks very few (if anyone) would take just for the thrill of saying he’d done it (oh, and maybe for the thousands of dollars he got for doing them). The benefits to the leap of faith he has now taken for Christ, however, are immeasurable.
When someone famous like Knieval comes out for Christ, it can give the faith community a huge shot in the arm. I pray this revival will “trickle down” from the Crystal Cathedral into many local congregations.
And now, as Kneval takes that great leap into the Beyond, I pray his fans and all who knew of him would likewise be touched by Christ so they might one day land safely home.
I heard about his death on the radio as I was driving home. I’m a motorcycle enthusiast and watched video of this guy for years. He was a good man, nutty but good. I can’t imagine jumping the Harley engine in the above photo over a curb, much less a row of buses! Godspeed.
I love the honesty of his quote, “I don’t know what in the world happened… All of a sudden I just believed in Jesus Christ. I did, I believed in him!”
Wow.
Tripped onto you from Stef’s Random Ramblings. And I just finished about an hours worth of reading on your site.
I’m tired now. Touch of headache too…
(Ah, just fun jesting, with a seed of truth.)
Thanks for the confidence to post the avoided. Way to put yourself out there… and then turn your other cheek. Good form.
I LOVE when someone stirs the pot, and I love a good think. That is, when I can spare the brain power. I’m a mama of little ones, so brain drain happens more quickly these days.
I’ll definitely be back.
God bless.
The Pistol fires back: You sell yourself short. I visited you site and liked what I saw. Thanks for visiting. Hope to hear from you again soon.
Another piece of my childhood disappears…for now. I’ll be excited to finally meet the man that inspired some of my childhood toys when I graduate.
Praise the Lord! I had no idea he got saved. I’m sure if could come back, he would tell as many people about Christ as he possibly could. Especially his family. We should be doing the same thing. Just something to think about.
The Pistol fires back: Amen to that!
I too, heard this on the radio and was saddened as he was a part of my childhood longing to get a motorcycle when I grew up. He was an amazing daredevil!
I am delighted to know he became a believer. Thank you for sharing this post.
The Pistol fires back: You are quite welcome.
I saw the program the day he was on there. I’m not a fan of Shuller’s theology but we were home sick from church that day so I lingered when I heard the name Evel Knieval. I was blown away when Evel said the following,
Go God!!!
Surfing on in from the Dashboard,
Mrs. N
The Pistol fires back: Thanks for the testimony.
I don’t know what in the world happened.-possibly a line that so many have used before, maybe not out loud, but still.
The Pistol fires back - Interesting thought. Thanks for responding. Come again.