Pastor breaks his neck in icy fall outside Minnesota church. ‘I knew I was paralyzed’

The pastor of a Minnesota church remains in good spirits after becoming partially paralyzed when he slipped on snow and ice.

Pastor David Kent, of Christian Life Center in the Minneapolis area, was walking down a street outside his church on Friday, Dec. 16, when he slipped and broke his neck, according to a GoFundMe. He knew right away the seriousness of the fall.

“I slipped and fell on my back tailbone, and immediately I had no feeling in my hands or legs and I knew I was paralyzed,” he told WCCO earlier this month.

He underwent surgery an hour after the fall. The spinal cord surgery resulted in a rod being screwed into Kent’s spine, the GoFundMe states.

The injury has led to paralysis in his arms, legs, feet and hands. But as family members update a CaringBridge site that gives loved ones the latest news on Kent’s recovery, they often speak on how Kent is in good spirits.

“Dad is able to communicate, talk with us, think clearly, and has been so encouraging to all the staff at the hospital,” family members wrote on Dec. 31.

He’s also had his Minnesota Vikings to cheer for from his hospital bed. As the Vikings prepare for the NFL playoffs this month, Kent remains an enthusiastic supporter.

Kent shared a video on Jan. 1 of him wearing a viking helmet, with a Vikings jacket and custom-made guitar draped over him.

The 64-year-old pastor, who has been the leader at the church for 22 years, told KARE that he is beginning to regain some movement in his hands, arms and toes.

“The fall has broken this body of mine. There’s no question I have major, major, concerns going forward but it has not broken my spirit, it has not broken who I am,” Kent told WCCO.

This story was originally published January 12, 2023 at 9:48 AM with the headline "Pastor breaks his neck in icy fall outside Minnesota church. ‘I knew I was paralyzed’."