Popular pastor and author Tim Keller offered an update on his battle with pancreatic cancer and asked for supporters can pray for him.
Keller, the 70-year-old founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church and author of several New York Times bestselling books, posted on social media about the status of his health.
After some significant surgery in May 2021, Keller was granted a "chemo holiday" and was allowed to get out of New York City for some essential travel. On August 23rd, Keller reported that the primary tumor had not progressed or grown. However, a mysterious lump beneath the scar left by his May surgery was removed and proved to be cancerous. In light of that, Keller says that his chemotherapy will return to previous levels, which he anticipates will cause additional side effects.
"Pancreatic cancer can learn how to evade medication, so it is only God's power that we look to for complete healing," Keller wrote on Facebook. The pastor then asked that his followers pray that he will be able to continue his previous duties and that the "neuropathy and other side effects will be minimal while the medication will be effective against cancer".
Keller was initially diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June 2020, stating that he felt great and had no noticeable symptoms. Keller has continued his ministry since, continuing to write several books. Keller stepped down from Redeemer Presbyterian in 2017 after serving as senior pastor for 28 years.