American pastor dies in ambush in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq (BP) — The U.S. military has confirmed that gunmen killed an American pastor Feb. 14 in an ambush outside Baghdad.

John Kelley, 48, was pastor of Curtis Corner Baptist Church, an independent Baptist church in South Kingstown, R.I. He was traveling with about 10 other ministers on a two-week trip to explore the possibility of starting a church in Iraq.

U.S. paratroopers learned of the attack and were told the Americans had been riding in a taxi when a white sedan pulled up alongside them and opened fire.

Kelley, a former Marine, is survived by his wife and four children.

The Boston Globe reported that Kelley’s wife, Jane, had received a bouquet of flowers her husband had arranged to be sent on Valentine’s Day; several hours later she was told of his death.