“And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord, to them who are called according to his purpose.”
-Romans 8:28
As a young boy, Ike Keay faced an uncertain future. Born in Scotland, Ike came to the United States at just five years old with his mother and younger brother, after his father died tragically, which he discovered was by suicide much later in his life. After five years living in Newark, New Jersey in his grandparents’ home, Ike and his brother were sent to live in a boys’ group home after their mother became ill with tuberculosis.
Life at Bonnie Brae farm was life-altering for Ike. Being subjected to physical, sexual and mental abuse for the first few years, the experience would ultimately help shape his desire to provide a safe and nurturing home for children just like him. Ike was a late teen by the time he felt accepted at the group home, discovering his interest and talent in many sports like football. After graduating high school and leaving Bonnie Brae, Ike spent several years working to support his sick mother.
At 21 years old, while attending a Christian camp, Ike was challenged by pastor Larry McGill to begin reading chapters of the Bible. One particular conversation with pastor McGill changed Ike’s life and he realized he was made for a purpose. Ike was saved after months of building his relationship with God and decided to attend Bible school while continuing to work. In the Fall of 1956, six years after graduating high school, Ike had the opportunity to attend Moody Bible Institute. It was here that Ike met his future wife, Carolyn.
Carolyn and Ike were married in 1958 and had their first child, Kimberly, in the Fall of 1959. By 1962, Ike and Carolyn had a second daughter, Debbie, and were given the opportunity to work at a children’s home together with their family. In 1963 Ike and his family moved to St. Louis where he went back to Bible school, this time Covenant College. In the same year, Ike and Carolyn welcomed their third child, Brian. When Covenant College outgrew its space in St. Louis in 1964 while Ike was still a student, and moved to Chattanooga, he moved his family as well. Knowing his love for working with youth, Ike inquired about group homes in the area, and for the first time, heard about Bethel Bible School.
In the Fall of 1964, Ike became the Director of Bethel Bible School. He pushed financial boundaries, challenged others around him, and led one of the largest initiatives Bethel has seen in the last 70 years as an organization. In April 1969, Bethel Bible School moved from Signal Mountain to the current campus in Hixson, TN and was renamed Bethel Bible Village. Remembering the many years that he was away from his mother living at Bonnie Brae, Ike’s goal was to provide healing and education to children and reunite them with their family. Ultimately, his purpose was to teach the children about Jesus.
As the ministry grew and changed over the years, Ike remained faithful to his purpose to show children the love of Christ through Bethel. Ike served as the Executive Director until 1990 when he retired. In his own words in his book “Child of Pain, Children of Joy”, Ike declared that “I know the children of Bethel Bible Village are very dear and precious to our Lord Jesus Christ.”
After retirement, Ike continued to visit Bethel for family reunions. In 2021, Ike Keay passed away due to an illness, but will be remembered as a legacy for years to come.