Jacob’s Wrestling Match

Jacob’s Wrestling Match

Genesis 32:22-32

22 And he arose that same night and took his two wives and his two servant-women and his eleven children and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 And he took them and sent them across the stream. And he sent across whatever he had.

Jacob Wrestles with God

24 Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until the breaking of dawn. 25 And he saw that he had not prevailed against him, so he touched the socket of his thigh; and so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him and said, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And he blessed him there. 30 So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been delivered.” 31 And the sun rose upon him just as he crossed over Penuel, and he was limping on his thigh. 32 Therefore, to this day the sons of Israel do not eat the sinew of the hip which is on the socket of the thigh because he touched the socket of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew of the hip.

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Kyle Kearbey
Kyle Kearbey

I have served as the Pastor of Preaching at Grace Fellowship Church in Albion, Southeastern Illinois, for the past eight years. Grace Fellowship is a Reformed Baptist congregation holding to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. I remain humbled and thankful to my risen Lord for calling me to the ministry of the Word and entrusting me with the high privilege of pastoral service. I love the flock the Lord has given to me and my fellow elders.

From 2010 to 2016, I served as a bi-vocational pastor while working full-time in higher education. In 2017, I transitioned to full-time pastoral ministry while continuing part-time work in higher education. That same year, I began serving with Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary (CBTS), helping to establish and oversee institutional effectiveness, accreditation, and academic quality. By God’s grace, the seminary received its initial accreditation in 2019, and I later led it through reaffirmation in 2024. I have also worked with several other Reformed seminaries in similar roles. I served with CBTS until July 2025.

From 2019 until July 2025, I was blessed to serve as Vice-Chairman of the Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries – Commission on Accreditation (ARTS-COA). In that role, I helped evaluate and uphold accreditation standards for Reformed institutions across the United States, participated in site visits, and assisted many schools in achieving accreditation.

In 2024, with the Lord’s help, I established the Christian Heritage Center. I am eager to see how He will continue to use this work in the days ahead.

Beyond ministry and academics, I enjoy reading and studying church history, working out when I can, playing video games with my son, and walking the fairgrounds here in Albion. Above all, I am most thankful to God for saving me and for the privilege of being used—even in a small way—for His glorious Kingdom.