He told BBC Look North: "I will always have football in my heart but Christ has always been my first love.
"The thing is with some guys when they finish is they've nothing really to put themselves into and they wonder if there is life after football."
During his five-year tenure at Hull, Elliott made nearly 200 appearances and helped them to back-to-back promotions.
I won't miss football as much as some would.
Simon Elliott
He finished his career at Hamilton Academicals following a short spell with Doncaster Rovers, and returned to East Yorkshire to begin his studies with the Living Hope church in Hull.
He added: "It's always what I've wanted to do so now I'm going into that sphere I won't miss football as much as some would."
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport