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Jerry Kirby is accustomed to answering questions about his bright orange 1972 Pontiac GTO classic while attending car shows. He answered several questions when he drove the car to the Hot Rides Cool Nights Car Show in Forest City recently.
Showing off his GTO is not the primary reason Kirby attends car shows in several states across the country.
Regardless of the shows Kirby enters his classic car GTO, a primary reason for traveling to car shows is to witness for the Lord.
"We are supposed to be a witness. My aim in life is to be a witness and to bring God's hope to other people who may not have heard," he said.
"I love old cars, car shows. That's my hobby, but I want to be a witness," he said.
He grew up being around people "older than me who were into cars," the 55-year-old Spindale man said, he developed a knowledge and a love of cars as a youngster putting together model cars.
Even at his job at Advance Auto Parts in Forest City for the past 18 years, Kirby has an opportunity to talk about cars and how they run.
"It's a great place. I like being around mechanics and finding out how you can fix cars...I like to be up to date as possible. There's a lot more electronics to cars than in the past," Kirby said.
Kirby talked about his love of cars recently, but most of all his determination to be a witness wherever he is. One way he witnesses at car shows is to present a Holy Spirit award to someone of his choosing. (Before presenting the award, Kirby receives permission from the car show sponsors.)
This year's Holy Spirit Award went to Justin Fender of Rutherfordton, also a fan of classic cars.
Kirby said the theme for the 2024 award was The Wild Child. Although the award had been painted by someone else, Kirby added his own airbrushing talent to the 1955 Chevy focused Holy Spirit award.
"The Holy Spirit Award could go to anyone who has ever been a wild child," he said. "It seems growing up, taking risks was for fun and the right thing to do...let's remember it takes a little while to meet your goals for God."
Before coming to Rutherford County, Kirby lived in Florida.
It was while in Florida he found himself in trouble several times with the law and can relate to being a wild child. When he was 18 years old Kirby turned away from the Lord, but the support of his sister, Danielle Lewis and his parents, the late Robert and Lisa Kirby, and the forever prayers, he began to make a turnaround.
"My parents stood by me when I was in trouble with the police. Prayers were answered for me," he said.
Because of prayers of the people and his own prayers, Kirby said with the help of the Lord he's been able to do a lot of things such as airbrushing, learning more about cars and beginning a lawn maintenance business in Florida.
"I started praying big prayers," he said. He needed a job and he asked for help with learning to airbrush. He said some of his prayers may even be silly to some, but he always prays.
Kirby said the car shows he attends are always blessings from God.
While in Florida, Kirby said prayers were answered regarding car shows, getting jobs with airbrushing and lawn maintenance.
At a car show in Florida in 2001, people were doing the routine, looking at the cars and asking questions.
While there, Kirby said he was tapped on the shoulder by Clay Ratcliff, a manager of The Beach Boys at the time.
"That became a major blessing to me," Kirby said.
Ratcliff asked Kirby to bring his car to The Beach Boys concert.
"He told me he loved my car and would I put it in the concert on Daytona Beach," Kirby said. He also said he didn't take Ratcliff seriously at first, but when some friends encouraged him to do so, Kirby took his 1972 Pontiac GTO to The Beach Boys concert. It was parked in front of the crowd at the show. Kirby counts that opportunity as answers to his prayers and brought him the encouragement he needed.
Kirby said the Lord has answered so many prayers for him and he is trying to show people that he is a strong believer in the armor of God.
"We have that armor, wisdom and discernment, instead of the world turning upside down...we can pray for truth."
When Kirby goes to the car shows, he asks for a microphone before presenting the Holy Spirit Award.
"Give me a microphone and I am able to witness to a crowd, maybe lift their spirits," he said. He did that in Forest City in August.
Kirby came to Rutherford County in 2005 and bought a home near Isothermal Community College. In addition to his full-time job at Advance Auto, Kirby does lawn maintenance and airbrushing.
He gives the Lord the glory for any successes in his life. Kirby is a Christian and is a member of Adaville Baptist Church. He begins his day with a prayer the Lord will let him witness to others. His aim is to offer encouragement and help to others by sharing the love of God.
