It's New Year's Eve 2010 and I just wanted to give God glory for all He has done in My personal life and the ministries I serve.
This past year saw me healing more from the surgeries and complications of 2007-2009. It also saw me falling in love and marrying Pamela; becoming a step dad to Haley - a freshman at TCU; becoming a Navy dependent and learning the challenges of being married to active duty military. This year also saw me moving twice - first, from Escondido (where I lived and pastored for nearly 30 years) to Yucca Valley after our wedding, and then on to Coronado (North Island) where Pam is stationed thru the end of 2011.
This year also the ministry of Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators grow a lot - it has more than doubled in the couple of years I have been serving - we are currently providing quality administrative support for over 150 missionaries and their families!
The year ahead will also be interesting in that Pam will be deployed for most of the first 8 months of 2011. Prayer would sure be appreciated for both of us to remain strong and fruitful and growing in our love for the Lord and each other during this time of separation. I may have opportunity to visit her a couple of times and concurrently visit some of our missionaries in Asia, The Mid-East, and Africa. Pray for wisdom and favor with airlines and travel agents :D
Pam and I are so blessed - and we thank you all for your kind expressions of love, encouragement and support this past year. We look forward to serving our great God and King this coming year - it could be THE year! Maranatha!
In His Arm's,
Pat
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
update October
It's been a busy month with much activity with Shepherd's Staff. Lot's of road miles as I've been meeting with potential missionary applicants, sending church pastors and mission's pastors, missionaries and their support teams locally in San Diego, Orange, and Riverside counties. Earlier in the month I was blessed to represent Shepherd's Staff at the Midwest Calvary Chapel Pastor's Conference in Hartford City, IN. Got to meet up with missionaries served by SS from the East Coast and Midwest who are serving in Africa, Peru, and the Ukraine. I also was able to visit my family in the Chicago area which is always a lot of fun!
Joe and Sara Nelson's care team with Pastor Cliff Watson at Calvary Valle Vista in Hemet, CA. They are new Shepherd's Staff missionaries who just arrived in the Philippines today, 10/28, in preparation for ministry in Thailand.
A special highlight of the month was participating in the commissioning service for a couple young ladies, both RNs, who are heading out to the very challenging mission field of Israel. One of them, Kristina, I've known since she was 4! She and her family attending CC Escondido in it's early years before her mom and dad were sent out to plant a church in Tennessee. As she and her friend, Maria, were sharing their stories I was so proud and blessed. While Kristina was sharing, a friend of mine from Horizon Christian Fellowship and himself a missionary in the Philippines leaned over to me and said, "In ministry, it doesn't get any better than this - to see the fruit of your work..." So true!
Of course, the big challenge this month has been being alone. The midwest trip was planned partly because my wife was going out to sea with the Navy for several weeks. As it turned out, her leaving was delayed and she was home a while after I flew out. When I returned 9 days later, we had one day together and then she was underway - and won't be home for a few more weeks. I miss her terribly but we do get to talk on the phone often and flood each other with daily emails.
View from the fantail of Pam's ship - pretty cool
I have been ramping up my ministry activities and fellowship opportunities and doing my best to keep busy and stay out of trouble while she's away :-)
On Monday, 10-25, I turned 61 - now that's sticker shock!
Our dogs, Roxy and Sweety celebrating with me!
When I was a young adult and before I became a follower of Jesus, I didn't think I'd live to be 30. And apart from Jesus saving me I likely would have destroyed myself. But thanks be to God, by His amazing grace He forgave me and redeemed me and made me His child and a man after His heart. And what a good life it's been! Sure there have been seasons of deep loss and pain and fear and even doubt - but thru it all, He has remained faithful and never stopped holding and loving me and I count it a priceless privilege to still be loving and serving my Lord and Savior!
That's it for now! Draw near to God and He will draw near to you!
Pat
Joe and Sara Nelson's care team with Pastor Cliff Watson at Calvary Valle Vista in Hemet, CA. They are new Shepherd's Staff missionaries who just arrived in the Philippines today, 10/28, in preparation for ministry in Thailand.
A special highlight of the month was participating in the commissioning service for a couple young ladies, both RNs, who are heading out to the very challenging mission field of Israel. One of them, Kristina, I've known since she was 4! She and her family attending CC Escondido in it's early years before her mom and dad were sent out to plant a church in Tennessee. As she and her friend, Maria, were sharing their stories I was so proud and blessed. While Kristina was sharing, a friend of mine from Horizon Christian Fellowship and himself a missionary in the Philippines leaned over to me and said, "In ministry, it doesn't get any better than this - to see the fruit of your work..." So true!
Of course, the big challenge this month has been being alone. The midwest trip was planned partly because my wife was going out to sea with the Navy for several weeks. As it turned out, her leaving was delayed and she was home a while after I flew out. When I returned 9 days later, we had one day together and then she was underway - and won't be home for a few more weeks. I miss her terribly but we do get to talk on the phone often and flood each other with daily emails.
View from the fantail of Pam's ship - pretty cool
I have been ramping up my ministry activities and fellowship opportunities and doing my best to keep busy and stay out of trouble while she's away :-)
On Monday, 10-25, I turned 61 - now that's sticker shock!
Our dogs, Roxy and Sweety celebrating with me!
When I was a young adult and before I became a follower of Jesus, I didn't think I'd live to be 30. And apart from Jesus saving me I likely would have destroyed myself. But thanks be to God, by His amazing grace He forgave me and redeemed me and made me His child and a man after His heart. And what a good life it's been! Sure there have been seasons of deep loss and pain and fear and even doubt - but thru it all, He has remained faithful and never stopped holding and loving me and I count it a priceless privilege to still be loving and serving my Lord and Savior!
That's it for now! Draw near to God and He will draw near to you!
Pat
Friday, September 24, 2010
Schedule update
Teaching at Calvary Chapel Living Hope in Oceanside, CA this Sunday 9-26. Service starts at 9:30am.
Representing Shepherd's Staff at the Calvary Chapel Midwest Pastor's Conference in Hartford, Indiana Oct. 11-13.
Representing Shepherd's Staff at the Calvary Chapel Midwest Pastor's Conference in Hartford, Indiana Oct. 11-13.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Another new chapter
Hi Folks!
Today marks the beginning of what should be an interesting and challenging season. As most of you know, my beautiful new wife, Pam, is also a family medicine doc for the US Navy and has just begun her final tour of duty before retirement - on CVN 76 The Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier. As the ship is ported in San Diego, she'll be able to go back and forth to work each day as a normal job. But carriers aren't designed to sit for long and there will be times, some short and some long, when she'll be out to sea. Please pray for her and I as we adjust to interruptions in our family life. Also, Pam's daughter, Haley, left for college this past Saturday. She's an incoming freshman at TCU (Texas Christian University). That's also a big change for Pam and Haley as well!
Ministry wise, I'll be heading out to Albuquerque, NM later this week for a Regional Mission Pastor's meeting at the Shepherd's Staff offices. We'll be discussing our schedules for the next few months and evaluating the work we're doing. Pray for wisdom concerning decisions that need to be made - specifically, if I'm to attend the Hong Kong Calvary Chapel conference next month.
This Saturday morning, I'll be speaking at the Calvary Chapel Escondido Men's Ministry breakfast - hope you men in the area will be able to make it - they always put on a great spread and the fellowships pretty decent too :-)
Love to all of you - and thanks again for your encouragement and prayer!
In His Arm's,
Pat
Today marks the beginning of what should be an interesting and challenging season. As most of you know, my beautiful new wife, Pam, is also a family medicine doc for the US Navy and has just begun her final tour of duty before retirement - on CVN 76 The Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier. As the ship is ported in San Diego, she'll be able to go back and forth to work each day as a normal job. But carriers aren't designed to sit for long and there will be times, some short and some long, when she'll be out to sea. Please pray for her and I as we adjust to interruptions in our family life. Also, Pam's daughter, Haley, left for college this past Saturday. She's an incoming freshman at TCU (Texas Christian University). That's also a big change for Pam and Haley as well!
Ministry wise, I'll be heading out to Albuquerque, NM later this week for a Regional Mission Pastor's meeting at the Shepherd's Staff offices. We'll be discussing our schedules for the next few months and evaluating the work we're doing. Pray for wisdom concerning decisions that need to be made - specifically, if I'm to attend the Hong Kong Calvary Chapel conference next month.
This Saturday morning, I'll be speaking at the Calvary Chapel Escondido Men's Ministry breakfast - hope you men in the area will be able to make it - they always put on a great spread and the fellowships pretty decent too :-)
Love to all of you - and thanks again for your encouragement and prayer!
In His Arm's,
Pat
Thursday, July 29, 2010
beat up!
It would likely be more brave and noble to say I got beat up while sharing the Gospel. But no, instead I had a mishap on my bike on Tuesday. I was about 5 miles into a ride from home when, while pedaling hard up an incline, 2/3 of my right pedal broke off. My foot hit the pavement and the jagged remnant of the pedal cut up my shin. The worse damage tho was to my right arm. Somehow, when the pedal broke, my weight shifted so fast that it caused a tendon attached to my elbow pull away from the bone and cause a small fracture. All my triceps muscles and tendons were badly strained.
I was able to nurse the bike back home using one arm and trying to keep contact with the stub of my right pedal. About 45 minutes after the accident I was home safe...and then had my first experience in the Naval Hospital ER. I was impressed with the speed and thoroughness of the care. so they took a bunch of x-rays and sent me home with meeds and a sling and I see orthopedics on Monday.
crazy how quickly it all happened. I am very thankful I didn't crash the bike and eat pavement. I'm also thankful for the strength to get back home on my own steam. Thinking back to where I was physically less than a year ago, God has been so good in helping me regain my strength and stamina. I am also thankful for my sweet wife, Pam. she met me at the hospital and how good it was not to have to deal with this sort of thing alone.
So a bit banged up but still so blessed.
Pat
I was able to nurse the bike back home using one arm and trying to keep contact with the stub of my right pedal. About 45 minutes after the accident I was home safe...and then had my first experience in the Naval Hospital ER. I was impressed with the speed and thoroughness of the care. so they took a bunch of x-rays and sent me home with meeds and a sling and I see orthopedics on Monday.
crazy how quickly it all happened. I am very thankful I didn't crash the bike and eat pavement. I'm also thankful for the strength to get back home on my own steam. Thinking back to where I was physically less than a year ago, God has been so good in helping me regain my strength and stamina. I am also thankful for my sweet wife, Pam. she met me at the hospital and how good it was not to have to deal with this sort of thing alone.
So a bit banged up but still so blessed.
Pat
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Settling in
Gonna try and get this blog thing up and running again. As most of you know, Pam and I were married on May 1, moved from Yucca Valley to Coronado on July 1 and the place we're living is starting to feel like a home. Most of the unpacking is done, pictures are going up on the walls, files are mostly out of boxes and back into the desk and file cabs, computer is set up, the dogs are happy......so we're good to go!
We both appreciate so much all the prayer and love we've received during still another major life transition. God is good and even when we are faithless, He remains faithful!
Ministry wise, I'm still working with Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators as their Western US Regional Mission's Pastor and Poimen Ministries. Both ministries are growing and I'm blessed more than I deserve to still be being used for His Glory!
In His Arm's,
Pat
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Countdown!
Well it's 9 days till my wedding to Pamela and, needless to say, we are both very excited to begin our new life together. Next week I'll be moving up to Yucca Valley for a couple of months before we set up our home in Coronado in July. Pam will be assigned to the Reagan aircraft carrier ported at North Island for the last two years of her career in the US Navy.
On June 19th we'll be having an Escondido reception at Calvary Chapel and I hope many of you can come and meet this wonderful lady the Lord has brought into my life. More details will follow.
God has been so faithful. He has taught me much about His steadfast love and mercy these past 3 years of being single.
I have often felt like Jacob - wrestling with God for control - and always having to yield to His plan - regardless of my opinion of what He has allowed in my life. I'm learning again and again that the Lord really does love me and still wants to use me in spite of my many failings! He is so good and kind!
Again I want to thank all of you for standing with me thru a rough couple of years. My health is improving, I'm working out again, and the pain from my surgeries is more an annoyance than a hindrance.
Shepherd's Staff continues to grow and I am honored to be assisting this good and much needed ministry. My work with missionaries and their sending churches serving around the world has been such a blessing.
This past month I've had the opportunity to work with missionaries serving or preparing to serve in South Africa, the UK, Kenya, Spain and Germany. The month of May will largely be filled with honeymoon travel :-) In June I'll be representing Shepherd's Staff at the annual Senior Pastor's Conference in Murrieta - they are expecting over 850 churches to be represented - please pray for a fresh infilling and empowering of the Holy Spirit in the lives, families, and ministries of these men. Pray also for new open doors for the ministry of Shepherd's Staff!
Presently we are handling the administrative needs of over 120 missionaries and their families. Click here to learn more about the many missionaries we serve and ask the Lord to direct you how to pray for them!
Each of you are such an encouragement to me! You have helped me more than you'll ever know to do things I never thought I could!
Let's continue to work together that His Name would be known by every nation, people, tribe and tongue!
In His Arm's, Pat
On June 19th we'll be having an Escondido reception at Calvary Chapel and I hope many of you can come and meet this wonderful lady the Lord has brought into my life. More details will follow.
God has been so faithful. He has taught me much about His steadfast love and mercy these past 3 years of being single.
I have often felt like Jacob - wrestling with God for control - and always having to yield to His plan - regardless of my opinion of what He has allowed in my life. I'm learning again and again that the Lord really does love me and still wants to use me in spite of my many failings! He is so good and kind!
Again I want to thank all of you for standing with me thru a rough couple of years. My health is improving, I'm working out again, and the pain from my surgeries is more an annoyance than a hindrance.
Shepherd's Staff continues to grow and I am honored to be assisting this good and much needed ministry. My work with missionaries and their sending churches serving around the world has been such a blessing.
This past month I've had the opportunity to work with missionaries serving or preparing to serve in South Africa, the UK, Kenya, Spain and Germany. The month of May will largely be filled with honeymoon travel :-) In June I'll be representing Shepherd's Staff at the annual Senior Pastor's Conference in Murrieta - they are expecting over 850 churches to be represented - please pray for a fresh infilling and empowering of the Holy Spirit in the lives, families, and ministries of these men. Pray also for new open doors for the ministry of Shepherd's Staff!
Presently we are handling the administrative needs of over 120 missionaries and their families. Click here to learn more about the many missionaries we serve and ask the Lord to direct you how to pray for them!
Each of you are such an encouragement to me! You have helped me more than you'll ever know to do things I never thought I could!
Let's continue to work together that His Name would be known by every nation, people, tribe and tongue!
In His Arm's, Pat
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Tucson
Hi folks!
Just a brief update: I was blessed to teach at CC Poway's Sunday morning service today and now am in Tucson getting ready for the SW Pastor's and Leaders conference being held at Calvary Chapel of Tucson. Ron Clipp will be joining me tomorrow and we will represent the ministry of Shepherd's Staff there over the next 3 days. The theme of the conference will be "Leadership Lessons from David".
Some of the speakers will be: Skip Heitzig - Senior Pastor of Calvary Albubuerque; Robert Furrow - Senior Pastor of Calvary Tucson; Gayle Erwin - President of Servant Quarters; Levi Lusko - Senior Pastor of Fresh Life Church; Pedro Garcia - Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Kendall; Damian Kyle - Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Modesto; Jack Hibbs - Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills; Alistair Begg - Senior Pastor of Parkside Church; James MacDonald - Senior Pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel; and Don McClure - President of Calvary Way Ministries.
Should be a good one! Please pray for all these teachers as well as the folks attending.
In His Arm's,
Pat
Just a brief update: I was blessed to teach at CC Poway's Sunday morning service today and now am in Tucson getting ready for the SW Pastor's and Leaders conference being held at Calvary Chapel of Tucson. Ron Clipp will be joining me tomorrow and we will represent the ministry of Shepherd's Staff there over the next 3 days. The theme of the conference will be "Leadership Lessons from David".
Some of the speakers will be: Skip Heitzig - Senior Pastor of Calvary Albubuerque; Robert Furrow - Senior Pastor of Calvary Tucson; Gayle Erwin - President of Servant Quarters; Levi Lusko - Senior Pastor of Fresh Life Church; Pedro Garcia - Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Kendall; Damian Kyle - Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Modesto; Jack Hibbs - Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills; Alistair Begg - Senior Pastor of Parkside Church; James MacDonald - Senior Pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel; and Don McClure - President of Calvary Way Ministries.
Should be a good one! Please pray for all these teachers as well as the folks attending.
In His Arm's,
Pat
Sunday, February 14, 2010
New things
Just wanted to post a short note, thanking all of you for your prayers and thoughtful words of encouragement in this new season of my life. It's amazing how in just a few short months a whole new chapter has begun. And tho the previous chapters have been incredible, this new one is already beyond what I could ever have imagined.
As most of you know, the Lord has graciously brought a wonderful, loving, and very gifted woman into my life and Pamela and I are planning a May 1st wedding! The reality of having a partner and helpmate once again has me weeping and doing cartwheels at the same time. Such deep gratitude and joy is overflowing my heart!
Psalm 66:12 says, "...we went thru fire and thru water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment." A friend of mine teaching on this verse recently noted that God doesn't waste the troubles we go thru! Amen to that!
I've been continuing my work with new missionaries coming on board with Shepherd's Staff. In the last couple of months, I've been blessed to interview and pray with folks preparing to go or already serving in the Philippines, England, Romania, Bulgaria, Kenya, Namibia, Australia, and India. What an honor it's been to meet and begin to grow new friendships!
So life is at warp speed, God is awesome, and I'm blessed to continue to serve and be used for His glory that His Name and great love would be known in all the earth!
In His Arm's,
Pat
As most of you know, the Lord has graciously brought a wonderful, loving, and very gifted woman into my life and Pamela and I are planning a May 1st wedding! The reality of having a partner and helpmate once again has me weeping and doing cartwheels at the same time. Such deep gratitude and joy is overflowing my heart!
Psalm 66:12 says, "...we went thru fire and thru water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment." A friend of mine teaching on this verse recently noted that God doesn't waste the troubles we go thru! Amen to that!
I've been continuing my work with new missionaries coming on board with Shepherd's Staff. In the last couple of months, I've been blessed to interview and pray with folks preparing to go or already serving in the Philippines, England, Romania, Bulgaria, Kenya, Namibia, Australia, and India. What an honor it's been to meet and begin to grow new friendships!
So life is at warp speed, God is awesome, and I'm blessed to continue to serve and be used for His glory that His Name and great love would be known in all the earth!
In His Arm's,
Pat
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Update - January
Well, as many of you already know, a lot has happened in the life of Pastor Pat the last couple of months. Of great note is my engagement to a most wonderful woman, Pamela, whom God graciously brought into my life a few months ago. To love and be loved is nothing short of a miracle at any age! Since my first wife, Joyce, was taken to heaven in July of '07 I've often wondered, pondered and prayed about what it would be like to love again. Shortly after meeting Pam it was clear a beautiful bond was forming between us and that bond will be sealed by our vows to one another May 1st! 106 days, 23 hours, and 3 minutes from right now! :-)
Pam is presently stationed in 29 Palms and is a Dr. serving in the US Navy. I'll be moving up to Yucca Valley after the wedding for a couple of months until her transfer to San Diego where she will finish out the final 2 years of a 20 year career. Needless to say, there are many changes and challenges ahead for both of us - but how good it will be to face them together with the Lord wrapped around us forming the 3-fold cord - Eccl. 4:12! Blessed be His Name!
Ministry wise, Shepherd's Staff continues to grow with the number of missionaries we are serving increasing by the week. Currently we have 108 missionaries either in the field or preparing to go. I Appreciate your prayer, not only for me and my work, but for all the amazing men and women I serve all around the world. Do check out the Shepherd's Staff web site and browse thru our missionary directory.
In His Arm's,
Pat Kenney
Pam is presently stationed in 29 Palms and is a Dr. serving in the US Navy. I'll be moving up to Yucca Valley after the wedding for a couple of months until her transfer to San Diego where she will finish out the final 2 years of a 20 year career. Needless to say, there are many changes and challenges ahead for both of us - but how good it will be to face them together with the Lord wrapped around us forming the 3-fold cord - Eccl. 4:12! Blessed be His Name!
Ministry wise, Shepherd's Staff continues to grow with the number of missionaries we are serving increasing by the week. Currently we have 108 missionaries either in the field or preparing to go. I Appreciate your prayer, not only for me and my work, but for all the amazing men and women I serve all around the world. Do check out the Shepherd's Staff web site and browse thru our missionary directory.
In His Arm's,
Pat Kenney
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