Pastor Pat's Blog

Request

2012-01-21T15:30:00.000-08:00

Hi My Friends, I have a request for you to prayerfully consider. I am needing to raise more support for my ongoing ministries with Shepherds Staff and Poimen. I lost half of my support this month due to financial constraints at Shepherds Staff. The ministry is going well and presently serving over 160 missionaries, but good stewardship led our board to decide their regional missions pastors would need to raise 100% of their support. That is not uncommon in the missions world these days. If you would like to include me in your charitable giving, please email me at escorev@gmail.com or go to my link on the Shep Staff website:
http://www.shepsstaff.org/kenney.aspx

Also, Our family is rejoicing for the arrival of my daughter Noelle's first child! A beautiful little girl - Natalie Joyce Berry!

Thanks so much! Pat

Pacific NW adventure begins

2012-01-10T10:53:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks,

Today I head out to Seattle to meet up with Pam as her ship dry docks this afternoon. Pam emailed me to say it was snowing. I'd like to say I'm ready for this - but that wouldn't be quite the truth. I was reading in The Daily Bread yesterday about Divine Interuptions. It concluded with this comment:

"The psalmist reminds us that the Lord can make “the plans of the peoples of no effect” (Ps. 33:10). Yet all too often we respond to the interruptions of our well-ordered lives with attitudes like frustration, irritation, fear, and doubt. God’s surprises in our day are full of opportunities. Let’s welcome them as a new “to-do list” from Him."

As I thought about that, my first reaction was, "Oh great - that stuff is right up my alley!". Then the Lord began to speak to my heart. He was reminding me of His faithfulness to not only see me thru changes/interruptions, but also to use me as I face my fears and doubts. He reminded me of His Faithfulness to work out all things in my life for His glory.

I wish I could learn this lesson, pass these tests, graduate to a place where I no longer struggle with my flesh and my fears. Yet I'm learning, very slowly, that these Interuptions are just part of life, and I can choose to be overwhelmed or choose to be excited about what God is going to do next. I'll take the latter. He who began a good work in me, is faithful to complete it. So it's up, up, and away again!

Hope your day is blessed as you learn along with me to trust in the Lord with allllll your heart and lean NOT on your own plans and understanding!

In His Arms, Pat

2011-12-30T21:43:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! As this new year begins, I must thank and praise God again and again for His goodness and faithfulness.

I also hope to blog more often as I seek the Lord's direction for 2012. It seems changes and challenges are just the norm these days.

Here are a few things we are anticipating this year: My wife is closing in on the end of her career with the US Navy. Her ship, the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier, left San Diego on Jan. 6th for Bremerton Washington - across the Puget Sound from Seattle. I join her in a few days and that will begin the first of many trips to the PAC Northwest til she retires in July. We are looking forward to meeting many new folks and enjoying winter in Washington. It won't be Coronado but we are going to make the best of it.

I'm also anticipating establishing new relationships with as many churches as possible as we seek to expand the ministry of Shepherds Staff.

Any day now my daughter will be giving birth to her first child, a little girl. She will be my 5th granddaughter! We are so excited for Noelle and her husband.

Thanks to all who have been praying for and supporting our ministries to missionaries, sending churches, and giving encouragement and counsel to many other pastor's.

What a joy to continue being used by the Lord for His purposes!

In His Arms, Pat

Summer Update

2011-08-19T20:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks!

It's time for another one of my frequent updates, lol. I recently flew back to San Diego from Dallas, TX where I accompanied my stepdaughter, Haley back to TCU (Texas Christian University) to help her move into her sorority house for the start of her sophomore year. A week ago, she and I were in Hong Kong, where we met up with my beautiful wife. The USS Reagan finally had another port stop after 79 days at sea. thankfully, her deployment is almost over and she should be home in just a few weeks.

The summer has really zipped by and I've been blessed with many opportunities to teach and minister the love of Jesus and His heart for the world, to churches, missions conferences, pastors conferences, small groups and a lot of missionaries. Presently I just finished representing the ministry of Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators at the annual Hawaii Pastors and Leaders conference in Honolulu. Today I flew over to Hilo on the big Island to spend time with Ron Brav, the pastor of CC Hilo and teach at their Sunday service. Then it's back to Honolulu to hook up with a few other pastors's I know and then finally watch the Reagan sail in to Pearl Harbor and see Pam again before the final voyage of this 7 month deployment back to San Diego.

Another very special highlight of the summer was sharing at all 3 morning services at Calvary Escondido, my home church, as we all celebrated the 30th Anniversary of CC Escondido. Can't really express my joy and gratitude for all God has done, is doing, and will continue to do thru CCE.

On Sunday Sept. 18th I'LL be filling in at Valley Baptist in Valley Center for my friend Gunar Hansen.

As always, I deeply appreciate your continued prayer and support!

May the Lord richly bless and keep you in His love and pour thru you His abundant Joy!

In His Arm's,

Pat

April/ May update

2011-05-29T18:17:00.000-07:00

It's been a pretty crazy season (what else is new) :-) My new bride has been snatched away by the US Navy now for 117 days with 100 more to go. Please continue to pray for her and I as we deal with this long separation. I was blessed to be able to visit with her a few days earlier this month as her ship was ported in Phuket, Thailand - we had a wonderful time together. It was not a planned stop and I found out about 3 days after I returned from 2 weeks in the Philippines that she would be there May 1st - our one year anniversary thru May4! So I got home from the PI April 12th, taught at Horizon Park Chapel on the 17th, then all the Easter activities the following week, flew to Albuquerque for a couple of days of meetings with the Shepherd's Staff board Apr. 25-26, and 3 days later began a bunch of flights back across the Pacific to Thailand. I got home the evening of May 5 and am finally recovered from not only travel but medical stuff too. While I was in the Philippines a nasty amoeba parasite decided to hitch a ride on my innards and about killed me. I never felt that sick. I was in a Filippino hospital for 4 days, but God used it to bring me close to several Shepherd's Staff missionaries serving ail over the Philippines.

The bug was dead but my system still hadn't quite recovered before I was across the ocean again. On my way home from Thailand I got hit with a bad chest cold and that, coupled with jet lag put me out for several days. Thankfully the body still heals :-)

I know many were praying for me and I honestly believe I couldn't have made it without those prayers. I know there was an element of spiritual warfare going on and you guys, alongs with many others, helped sustain me thru it. That Philippines trip - tho I was ill for half of it - had to be the best visit I ever had to the PI - and I've been there many times over that last 20 years. The depth of fellowship I had with folks I knew and many more I had never meet was so sweet. I think there is a deeper bond of intimacy that develops during times of suffering and helplessness.

While I was hospitalized I had a team of "bantays" (meaning, watchers) with me 24/7. Among them were all the missionaries I really hoped to spend time with during the Pastor's Conference (which I was supposed to teach at and missed the entire thing). I wanted to go to them and bring them encouragement - but God had it work the other way around - and in the end - koinonia - sweet communion - constant prayer!
It was the best and I can't wait to go back.

The summer ahead also looks like it's going to pretty full. We are continuing to grow at Shepherd's Staff, serving close to 160 missionary families - of which 80 are my responsibility, being sent out from West Coast churches. I hope to be visiting many of those churches and meet face to face with the pastor and the team that is supporting their missionary. Missionary care is our developing focus and we can't do that effectively without the sending church being on board. You'd be surprised how many churches really don't have a clue about the needs of their missionary, much less a plan to meet those needs. And that's where we can help - so pray for open doors this summer.

Finally, one last word of thanks to each of you for praying and caring about the new things God is doing in my changing life and ministries.
I love you all and pray for God's best for you too. Press in closer to Him! And press on faithfully in all He has called you to do - for His Glory.

In His arm's,

Pat

Western Regional Mission's Pastor
Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitator's

http://www.shepsstaff.org/kenney.aspx
http://www.poimenministries.com
http://escorev.blogspot.com.

March 2011

2011-03-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

What an interesting month March has been so far.

Of immediate note is of course the ongoing crisis in Japan. Our hearts ache for the countless families now dealing with loss and change far beyond anything they ever imagined. We humbly ask the Lord to strengthen the believers there and use them to bring consolation, comfort, and the Gospel to so many gripped with dismay, hopelessness, and fear. Yet as I think about what's happening in Japan, I realize I'm dealing with some real fear myself. I've watched the media coverage of many a calamity over the years but always from a sort of detached safe distance. Not so today. I may safe in San Diego but I'm certainly not detached.

Shortly after the earthquake and Tsunami devastated Northern Japan, the Navy ship my beautiful wife serves on was diverted to Japan to assist with rescue and recovery. Yesterday the media reported that several airmen attached to a helicopter wing returned to the ship with low level radiation exposure. The ship (the Ronald Reagan nuclear powered aircraft carrier) was quickly repositioned away from the danger area. I talked to Pam this afternoon and she said she was fine but sounded quite busy.

Am I concerned for her safety and health - of course! Am I trusting God that she and her fellow sailors will be OK? Yes - but once again, a crisis reveals my fears. I realize that Pam isn't kicking' back on a pleasure cruise but working hard on the most powerful warship ever. I knew that in my head but seeing and hearing reports about the deteriorating condition of the Fukushima nuclear plants causes my heart to tremble and my mind to worry. I find myself giving in to fear. Fear for her well being, fear that something worse may happen...and yes, even fear that I will loose her too. Yet fear can only be answered with faith. If I've learned anything thru my own personal losses, disappointments, and transitions over the past few years, I have learned that God is faithful and I must trust in Him alone.

Psalm 73:25-26 says, "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon the earth that I desire besides You. My heart and flesh may fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

How blessed we are to have God's Word to comfort our hearts and refocus our thinking! What power and peace there is to trust in the Lord and not depend upon my - or anyone elses understanding. Only as I submit all my ways to Him and acknowledge His power over all - only then can I walk in His peace that passes all understanding. So I must rest in Him. 40 days into Pam's deployment with 177 days, 12 hours and 45 minutes till she returns home; yes I think God is stretching my faith once again!

I'd like to share one other thing God has been showing me these past few weeks. As I shared in my update last month, I was asked to be a part of the teaching team at the Philippines Calvary Chapel Pastor's Conference the first week in April. This past year Shepherd's Staff began serving several missionaries already in the Philippines so I saw this as a great opportunity to visit and encourage many of them one on one. There was also the possibility that I might be able to meet Pam somewhere near the Philippines a week after the conference. So I accepted and began booking my flight arrangements.

Then the fears began. I began to think, "What the heck are you doing, Pat??" "You're planning an 20 day trip that is sure to tax you physically and with all your medical issues you could really get messed up!" So I had several appointments with my doctors who checked me over, gave me meds and inoculations and vaccines - and medically I was good to go. But the fears remained and even grew stronger. I began to agree with the 'voices' and felt that there was no way I'd be able to handle the heat and humidity and dirt and bugs and food and sleeping conditions and and and....

.....and then it came to me! A revelation! A lightning bolt thru my clouded thinking! What about God??? Is He able to sustain, bless and use you even in the Philippines? I felt a big "Duh!" I realized I had not even ASKED Him to help me. My fears and worries were dominating me and I was walking in the strength of my flesh and not by the strength of His Spirit. So I began to call upon Him! I began to ask Him to strengthen my heart and straighten out my thinking.

And almost overnight I began to relax and get excited for what God might want to do. Instead of worrying about ME I began praying for those I would be visiting. You'd think I'd know this after all these years - but as I've often said, "The flesh has short term memory!" You mortify the flesh today and tomorrow it rises up again - oblivious to the beating it took the day before.
Perhaps that's why Paul the Apostle said, "I die daily" (1 Cor. 15:31)

So please pray for this conference: for the pastor's, pastor's wives, and other church leaders who will be attending. Pray for their safe travel to Dumaguete. Pray for my study in Eph. 5:22-33. Pray for Pastor Bong and Calvary Chapel Cebu where I will be teaching the Sunday after the conference. And please pray, if it's God's will, that He might keep Pam safe from harm and that I might see her for a few days before returning back to the states in mid April.

In His Arm's,

Pat

February 2011

2011-02-19T21:11:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to a Sunday morning study I taught in 2 Cor. 1 at Horizon Park Chapel in San Diego on 2-13-11

http://horizonparkchapel.org/virtual_service.asp?P=95

My wife is presently deployed in the US Navy on board the USS Ronald Reagan Aircraft Carrier. She has just begun about a 7 and a half month 'cruise' and has been gone about 3 weeks now. Fortunately we get to email frequently and have phone calls every other day.

I'm keeping busy with Shepherd's Staff. Just this past week I interviewed 4 new missionary families. One already in the field in Entebbe, Uganda; another heading to work with the Shoreline Calvary Chapel church plant in Camden Towne, London; another going to assist in a Calvary Chapel Bible Institute in Rotorua, New Zealand; and the last a young family preparing to work with the CC Bible College in Lima Peru.

Do keep these folks and their families in prayer.

I'm heading up the freeway tomorrow for the Southern California Regional Pastor's Conference at Steve May's church - CC South Bay. I'll be representing Shepherd's Staff there and sure to make a bunch of new friends - God willing :-)

Blessings! Pat

Happy 2011

2010-12-31T11:31:00.000-08:00

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

update October

2010-10-28T12:36:00.000-07:00

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

Schedule update

2010-09-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

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.

Another new chapter

2010-08-09T10:22:00.000-07:00

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

beat up!

2010-07-29T21:11:00.000-07:00

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

Settling in

2010-07-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

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

Countdown!

2010-04-22T21:21:00.000-07:00

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

Tucson

2010-03-07T20:38:00.000-08:00

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

New things

2010-02-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

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

Update - January

2010-01-14T18:14:00.000-08:00

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

Starting again

2009-12-16T16:54:00.000-08:00

Here we go again! It seems life has a way of getting in the way of sharing information sometimes. So it's been for me the past couple of months. Healthwise, I'm still on the mend but so much better than I was six months ago. Ministry has shifted from being on the road to being on the phone and on my computer. Still meeting with folks locally and missionaries as they might be in the San Diego or So. California area. The work of Shepherd's Staff continues to grow and I'm currently processing about 10 new missionaries from churches all over the Western US.

As always, prayer for strength, wisdom, and opportunity to share Jesus is needed every day!

Hope you all have a very blessed Christmas and I look forward to hearing from as many as are able!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Yale

2009-10-16T15:28:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks!

My East Coast swing is going well so far. My friend took me on a tour of Yale University in New Haven, Conn. for most of the day today. I'm blessed to be here and am praying God would use me over the next few days in all my teaching opportunities. Oh yeah, and it's chilly here: 40's during the day and 30's with rain possibly mixed with snow the next few nites.

Bless you all!

Pat

Send the Message

2009-10-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

Presently I'm at the annual Send the Message Mission's conference at Calvary Chapel Spring Valley in Las Vegas. All is going well and God is blessing me both spiritually and physically - hurray! Love to all!

In His Arm's,

Pat

On the Road

2009-10-02T11:38:00.000-07:00

Well, September has flown by and it looks like Oct. will zip as well. I've been blessed to attend several pastor's and church leader's conferences the past few weeks, as well as teach at a couple churches. The latest has been the Northern and Central Ca. Pastor's conf. in Santa Cruz and the Pacific NW conf. north of Seattle. I also was blessed to teach at the church of some long time friends in Maple Valley, Wa.

I'm heading back home to Escondido tomoorow and will be home for a week before heading out again for 10 days. I'll be at the Send the Message mission's conf. at Calvary Spring Valley in Las Vegas and then off to the East Coast for a conference I'll be teaching at in New Hampshire.

I want to thank you all who have been praying for me. God has been, as He always is, faithful.
He has given me strength to press on and joy to serve as he opens doors.

In His Arm's,

Pat

Santa Cruz

2009-09-16T11:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks!

Just finishing up attending the Calvary Chapel Northern & Central Pastor's and Leader's conference at the Mt. Hermon conference center in Santa Cruz. I fly back to San Diego this evening. The conference has been focusing on a study thru 2 Timothy and has been encouraging and challenging.

Something about traveling to churches and conferences that's a challenge: I rarely know anyone closely. I don't like being a stranger. I tire of retelling my story over and over. But I have found in the retelling that others are blessed and encouraged - and so am I. There is so much to do! May God keep us all strong and focused til He comes!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Next Sunday

2009-09-07T22:08:00.000-07:00

Just found out I'll be teaching the morning services at Calvary Chapel Pomona Valley next Sunday, Sept.13. Services are at 8 & 10am. Their website: http://www.calvarypv.org/blog/

Blessings! Pat

2009-08-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to one of my recent studies given at CC Hidden Valley a few weeks ago.

Growing in Godliness

Blessings!

Pat

Update - August Part 2

2009-08-19T13:15:00.000-07:00

Now for what's been happening and what's coming up.

As I'm sure is true for most of us, this summer is just zipping by! My grandaughters just started back to school yesterday. That almost seems unAmerican: having to go back to school before Labor Day - but I digress :-)

First, an update on my health. Lookin' good - thank You Lord! I am no longer dealing with that severe abdominal pain from my surgeries. There is occasional discomfort and I still can't do any crunches but I can live with that. I've been doing a lot of long beach/sand walks about three times a week and each for one to two hours in length. The only area that really hurt from all that was my feet!

Ministry wise I've done a little travel for Shepherd's Staff, met with a bunch of missionaries home on furlough, and been blessed to do some guest teaching for several churches in San Diego County, including the Men's ministry and Senior's Bible Study at CC Escondido, my home church.

There is also a lot coming up. My schedule for the next 10 weeks or so is as follows:

Monday evenings thru Dec. 14 - taking the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course at North Coast Church in Vista

Sunday, Aug. 23 - Guest teaching at Calvary Chapel Mid Valley in Encino, CA

Tuesday, Sept 1 - Julian Oaks Youth Ministries Board Meeting

Wed. Sept 9 - Jury Duty

Mon - Wed Sept. 14-16 Representing Shepherd's Staff at the Central & Northern Calif. Pastor's and Leader's Conference in Santa Cruz, Ca

Mon - Wed Sept 21-23 Representing SS at the Horizon 'Huddle' at the Twin Peaks conference center in the San Bernardino Mtns.

Fri. sept 25 thru Sat., Oct. 3 Seattle area. Sept. 28-30 representing SS at the Pacific Northwest Pastor's and Leader's conference

Oct. 12-14 - representing SS at the 'Send the Message' mission's conference at CC Spring Valley in Las Vegas.

Oct 15-22 New England; teaching at the NE Huddle in New Hampshire Oct. 19-21.

Shepherd's Staff has also been growing. We've added another 20 missionaries since the first of the year and there are several more 'in the chute' preparing to be sent out. I've been tasked with assisting in the initial interview process for new missionaries, which could add to my travel - but would be an awesome way to develop relationship with both the missionaries and their sending churches from the ground up.

As always, I deeply appreciate and covet your prayer in all this.

Yes, I'm busy - but never too busy for a phone chat or cup of coffee when I'm home. By the way, some have thought I moved to Albuquerque where the Shepherd's Staff offices are based. Nope!

I'm still living here in Escondido and working out of my home. So still lot's of opportunity for fellowship and hang time with friends and family.

That's about it for now. Keep growing in His love!

Pat

Update - August Part 1

2009-08-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

Before I fill you in on what's been happening and what's upcoming, let me share a few thoughts on a sweet verse in Psalm 46. This is a Psalm of comfort, hope, assurance and challenge. It speaks of God being our refuge and strength - a present help in time of trouble - certainly a challenge to us to trust and not be afraid no matter what comes our way. It also encourages us to be still and know - intimately - our God - that He might be exalted among the nations and in all the earth. Surely as we cultivate an intimate walk with Jesus, His nature and His character will be reflected outward through our lives to a terribly needy and hurting and lost world around us.

The 4th verse in this Psalm gives us great assurance that as huge as the challenge may be facing any of us, God is at work in us, refreshing, strengthening, empowering us thru it all!

It states: There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God. The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

Now I'm sure the psalmist had in mind Jerusalem and the Temple and perhaps even the heavenly Jerusalem...but God gives us an amazing picture in the New Testament of believers like you and I being the temple, the tabernacle, the dwelling place of the Most High God. Check out 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 6:16 and 2 Peter 2:5.

Jesus also told us in John 7:37-39 that the Holy Spirit would flow out from believers like 'rivers of living water'! So looking back at Ps. 46:4, my paraphrase, "There is Living Water, the indwelling Spirit of God, flowing thru each of us and bringing great joy to the people of God. We have been forgiven, cleansed, filled and set apart now as His own special people! We are those "holy places" not because of how perfect we are but because of how Holy He is! And He bought us with the price of His own blood that He might be glorified in and thru us!

Where am I going with all this? Sometimes I get down and defeated and feel like there is no way I can ever deal with the weight and challenge and responsibility of life and ministry. I stumble and trip and fail so often - and the enemy loves to rub my nose in that. I so often look in the mirror and say to the Lord, "You've got to be kidding! How can You possibly work thru a wretch like me?" Perhaps you have felt that way too. But HEADS UP here! We're wrong!

God has saved us thru the redeeming sacrifice of His Son and has made us a new creation! We've been born again by His will and He has filled us with His Spirit and has decided to move in with us! So rejoice in the Lord today! He still wants to use and I and He has given us, by His Spirit, everything we need that pertains to life and godliness! We are not scum - we are His Saints. And the Most High God is now tabernacling in us that the world would know how great His love really is.

Wow! So much for a few thoughts :-)

I'll post this and follow it up with my ministry update.

In His Arm's,

Pat

New post???

2009-08-17T23:47:00.000-07:00

New stuff coming this week - really - I'm not kidding - it's gonna happen!! Pat will post to his blog this week....hopefully :-) for sure!

Love all you guys! Pat

What's Happening?

2009-07-18T20:55:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning I'm teaching both morning services at Calvary Chapel Santee. Next Sunday I'll be sharing at CC Hidden Valley in Escondido. In between, I'm flying out to Albuquerque, NM for some Shepherd's Staff meetings for a couple of days. Appreciate your prayer for our ministry as it is growing. Seems like new missionaries are hooking up with us every week.

Forgive me for not posting more frequently. I think I just needed to get thru the last couple of weeks - the anniversaries of my Joyce's passing on the 5th, our wedding anniv. on the 7th and the anniv. of her memorial service on the 14th.

Now there's much ahead - what a journey!

In His Arm's,

Pat

2 Years +

2009-07-07T23:05:00.000-07:00

36 years ago today I married the gift of a lifetime! What a wonderful life we had together! 2 years ago this past Sunday, the Lord brought Joyce to heaven. Life without her has been surreal to say the least. Yet life and time continues on and the good memories begin to overtake the traumatic ones, as my daughter told me this evening. My son and daughter-in-law have a new fresh relationship with the Lord, the grandkids are growing so fast - and are so much fun. The family is holding together and still loving each other - we're blessed! That's not to say that challenges and difficulties have ceased to exist - that wouldn't be reality. But we are working thru those bumps in the road and pressing on!

Thanks for all the kind and thoughtful notes and calls. Thanks for remembering!

In His Arm's,

Pat

July Newsletter

2009-07-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks, Just wanted to post my latest newsletter here for those of you interested.

Dear Support Team!

I pray you are all falling deeper in Love with Jesus today! And as you grow in His love and the knowledge of His Word, I pray you are letting your light shine before everyone you meet. As we grow in our love for the Lord, His heart for the lost and hurting becomes our heart and we reach out to those who desperately need Him. I believe this is the central motivator for missions. Our God is a "Missionary God" - For God so loved the world...

With that reality in mind, I again want to thank you all for your encouragement, prayer, and support of my ministry to missionaries around the world - and their sending churches. When I go out a part of you goes out too! This past month was really crammed with travel and several conferences. June started off with the Calvary Chapel Senior Pastor's Conference in Murrieta, followed by a great mission's conference at Calvary Chapel Downey. The month wrapped up with a trip to the Eastern European Pastors and Leaders 'Foundations' conference in Vajta, Hungary. At each of these conferences I represented Shepherd's Staff and was able to meet personally many of the missionaries served by our ministry. I was also blessed to talk with dozens of pastors from Calvary's across the nation and around the world!

This month I have several local teaching opportunities. This Sunday, I'll be teaching the 9:30 service at Crossroads Christian Fellowship in Oceanside. The following weekend I'll be meeting with missions folks from a church north of LA. On the 19th I'll be sharing at both morning services at Calvary Chapel Santee, and on the 26th I'll be teaching at Calvary Chapel Hidden Valley here in Escondido. I also have a short trip to Albuquerque, NM for meetings and planning at our Shepherd's Staff offices.

And to my health issues: mucho better! Around the middle of May, I felt I was finally turning the corner on the severe pain from my surgeries the past couple of years. Again, I'm so grateful for your prayer in that regard - please don't stop. This Sunday (7/5) it will also be two years since my Joyce was taken home to glory. God has been so faithful in giving my family and I His comfort, peace and strength as we have had to press on without her. It has been difficult but not impossible; painful but not unbearable; lonely but never out of our Lord's caring arm's.

So that's about it for now. Stay in touch if you can but more importantly, stay in prayer.

In His Arm's,

Pat

Great trip - glad to be home

2009-06-30T02:34:00.000-07:00

I'm dealing with some jetlag at the moment. Up at 2:30am! But God is also up at 2:30 am. and that sure is good! Just wanted to let you all know I had a safe trip back home from Budapest, Hungary. It is good to be home - and I'm really feeling pretty good, physically, in fact, I feel better than before I left. So I'm just grateful to my Lord for His blessings - and His Strength to see me thru a very busy week overseas.

Lot's more coming up this summer! I'll be posting a calendar later this week.

Don't forget to be praying for the work God is doing in Eastern Europe!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Thursday from Vajta

2009-06-25T03:12:00.000-07:00

Last nite I visited Calvary Chapel Budapest - located smack in downtown Buda! The church is growing like crazy with two Wed. evening services and three Sunday morning services - 1200 plus of mostly 20-30 year old young people on fire for Jesus! I felt old but invigorated by this sweet and powerful move of God in the capital city of Hungary.

Pastor Bill Goodrich taught the study on How much God loves us out of, primarily, Ephesians 1.

Before heading back to Vajta (about a 90 minute drive) we stopped by an overlook of the city all lit up and quite beautiful. It again was one of those bittersweet moments of remembering. Joyce and I had gone to that very spot 9 years ago. Even as we were driving into the city earlier in the afternoon, I could feel the twinges of missing her. The reality of her not being with me and not back home either hit me harder than I expected. Such is the nature of grief.

Yet in the midst of my personal reflections, God was and is doing an incredible work of revival and raising up a whole new generation to take the Good News of Jesus to the nations of Eastern Europe and beyond. I'm blessed to be a very small part of it all.

So the conference is going very well. Every day, Bryon and I are connecting with more and more really incredible people. I've had the opportunity to talk, counsel, and pray with many folks. Some, seasoned missionaries. Others, students, interns, and young people just stepping out into their areas of service and outreach. Good stuff!!!

Thanks again for all your prayer support. I do believe God hears and has certainly been sustaining me and keeping me strong. May He bless you deeply and use you today for His purposes and glory!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Vajta, Hungary

2009-06-23T00:07:00.000-07:00

Just a short note to say that I'm in Vajta, Hungary attending the Eastern European Pastors and Leaders conference at the beautiful CC Bible College Europe. God is graciously bringing so many dear people into my path. I'm so blessed to be here and doing well health wise. Pray that Bryon, my East Coast counterpart with Shepherd's Staff, and I stay open to what God wants us to do and be while here. Pray also that Bryon's luggage arrives today. Love to all of you!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Whew!

2009-06-13T15:32:00.000-07:00

Time for an update! Both conferences last week were huge blessings! The Sr. Pastors Conference in Murrieta helped me reconnect with many old friends (and a few young ones too :-) And the Missions conference at CC Downey fed my spirit thru challenging teaching by Jeff Johnson, Don Richardson, Danny Lehmann, and John Michaels.

This week has been filed with many personal visits with friends and ministry partners along with a great midweek service at Revival Christian Fellowship in Menifee with my son, Jordan.

I deeply appreciate your prayer for my health and support of my work. If you'd like to know more about the ministries I'm involved with, click on Shepherd's Staff or Poimen Ministries.

May the Lord continue to not only bless you but use you for His Glory!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Downey Conference

2009-06-05T22:27:00.000-07:00

Made it up to the Mission's Conference at Calvary Chapel Downey. I was pretty sore first part of the day but the pain eased up in the evening. Jeff Johnson kicked off the conference with A challenging message about 6 essentials of being prepared to go - things we need as we go. I had dinner with Pastor John Michaels and closed out the evening listening to "Peace Child"

and "Eternity in Their Hearts" author and missionary, Don Richardson.

Tomorrow, Don continues his teachings followed by Danny Lehmann - should be a good day. One comment made by Jeff J. struck me as so true - and something which needs to be instilled in every new believer: "You begin to become a missionary the moment you get saved.

Hope all is well with all of you!

In His Arm's,

Pat Kenney

Sr. Pastor's Conference.

2009-06-04T10:30:00.000-07:00

I had the blessing of participating in the annual Calvary Chapel Senior Pastor's Conference held this week at the Murrieta Hot Springs Bible College and conference center. The theme of this years conference was "Hold Fast To The Word" and featured a study thru 2 Timothy taught by Calvary pastors from all over the nation. In addition to the encouraging and challenging general sessions, I was able to have a display table for Shepherd's Staff and met and talked with many pastors from all over the world. Of particular joy were the numerous opportunities to pray on the spot for these men, their families, and their ministries. Having gone through suffering, loss, illness, and pain, I find myself moved to pray much more quickly - and especially for those I'm talking with who are going thru difficult seasons. It used to be, "Hey I'll pray for ya bro!" Now it's, "Can I pray with you right now?"

So today I'm resting up, organizing, and getting ready for the Missions Conference at Calvary Chapel Downey this weekend.

Thank you for your faithful prayer!

In Hs Arm's,

Pat

Facebook & Newsletter

2009-05-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

The pace of life and ministry has picked up again and I've been hard pressed to being creative on this blog site. Perhaps again down the road but for now, I'm just posting my recent newsletter to my support team. That will give you a more current update on what's happening with my ministry with Shepherd's Staff.

I am posting more frequently on Facebook. You can add me as a friend by entering my email address: escorev@gmail.com

I'm also gearing up for another ministry called Poimen (from a Greek word meaning 'workman or workmanship') with the focus being pastors serving pastors. Check out our new website for more details at www.poimenministries.com

Here's my newsletter:

Dear Support Team,

I pray you and yours are well, blessed, and growing in the Lord!

May has certainly zipped by and summer is almost upon us. I am encouraged to report that my health is improving! The severe ab pain I'd been dealing with has begun to lessen and I'm so grateful for all your prayer. Those of you who have endured lingering surgical pain (or chronic pain for that matter) know the impact that can have on your outlook on life, your output in work, and even your uplook in your daily walk with the Lord.

I rejoice today that thru it all God remains faithful! The Bottom line of all that we face and struggle with is:HE IS NOT DONE WITH US YET! We're here and we have a purpose and there is still so much to do! May He encourage and strengthen each of you as you serve Him and love those He has placed in your sphere of influence!

Thank you all for your continuing support of my ministry with Shepherd's Staff. The month of June will be very busy and July is shaping up to be pretty full as well. Of particular note will be me traveling with my East Coast counterpart, Bryon Mondok, to the Eastern European Foundations Conference being held at the Calvary Chapel Bible College and conference center in Vajta, Hungary. I leave June 20 and return June 28. We will be representing the ministry of Shepherd's Staff and personally encouraging the many missionaries who will be attending the conference. Please pray for travel mercies and strength as this will be my first overseas trip after all my surgeries.

I would also ask you to pray for a group of 7 future missionaries who will be attending Shepherd's Satff Field Intensive Training May 30 - June 13 in La Gloria, Mexico.

My schedule is shaping up as follows:

May 31 4-5pm Leading in prayer at the Global Day of Prayer event at Grape Day Park in Escondido

June 1-4 - Sr. Pastor's Conference in Murrieta - Representing Shepherd's Staff

June 1 - Monday 6:30pm - Teaching at the CC Escondido Men's Dinner & Fellowship

June 5-7 - Missions Conference at Calvary Chapel Downey - Representing Shepherd's Staff

June 10-11 - Shepherd's Staff Field Intensive Training for new missionaries in La Gloria, Mexico

June 20-28 - Foundations Leadership Conference in Vajta, Hungary - Representing Shepherd's Staff

July 5 - 9:30am - Teaching Sunday morning service at Crossroad Christian Fellowship in Oceanside

July 19 - 8:30 & 10:30 Teaching Sunday Services at Calvary Chapel Santee

July 26 - 9:30am - Teaching Sunday Service at Calvary Chapel Hidden Valley in Escondido

So, as you can see, lots coming up! In between all of this is my summer project of making personal contact with the sending churches of all my Shepherd's Staff missionaries.

I deeply appreciate all your prayer, encouragement, and financial support!

May the Lord pour out His Spirit in and thru you as you shine for Him in this dark and troubled world.

In His Arm's,

Pat

Has it been more than a week?

2009-05-14T15:35:00.000-07:00

Well, you blink your eye's and 10 days have zipped by. Life and work have picked up a bit so I thought I'd post some of my schedule for the next few weeks.

Fri. 5-15: Teaching a home fellowship in La Casta

Sat. 5-16: Walk for Life & Ministry Faire at CC Escondido

Sun. 5-24:Teaching Sunday Morning services at Calvary Chapel Yuma, AZ

June 1-4: Sr. Pastor's Conference - Murrieta, CA

June 5-7: Missions Conference - Calvary Chapel Downey

June 20-27 Eastern European Foundations Conference - Vajta, Hungary

And lot's of one-on-one stuff in between. God is so faithful! Health wise things seem to be turning a corner. Thanks so much for praying for me and my ministry.

In His Arm's,

Pat

Monday Update 5-4

2009-05-04T12:03:00.000-07:00

All is well on the Kenney front :-)

This past week involved several doctor's visits, both with another surgeon to get a 2nd opinion on what's been causing my pain and a first visit to the Kaiser pain clinic. Both appointments were positive in narrowing down the cause - which now seems to be more neurological than muscular. Evidently, during surgery, a pocket of nerves became trapped by the procedure, and have been firing away, causing much of my discomfort. Good news is that, with time and treatment, they gradually quiet down. And normal activity will not cause any further damage.

I've really been feeling a lot better since I returned from Chicago and am glad that things finally appear to be on the mend. As always, thanks so much for your continued prayer.

Ministry wise these next couple of weeks look to be pretty full. I know, I can hear it now, "Don't overdo it Pat!" I am pacing myself, walking more every day, as well as getting the rest my body needs. You all know my heart to be serving and I'm just grateful for the opportunities ahead to glorify Him and to edify and encourage His people - because they have sure been a huge encouragement to me these past couple of years.

Love to all of you!

In His Arm's,

Pat

prayer request update

2009-04-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

Wanted to give you all an update on the prayer request for the missionaries in Kenya whose daughter was dealing with a possible tumor.

From Kelli Compean:

I have just returned from the neurosurgeon who had good news. His opinion is that while there has been some increase in size of the pituitary this is not yet cause for surgery. He said, since there is no visual or hormonal impairment he would like to just monitor her. He feels that her headaches are caused by what the opthamologist called benign intracranial hypertension. He feels this should resolve in 3-4 weeks with the medicine she is currently on. He said she definitely has something which needs follow up so the plan is for her to be on this medicine, follow up with the opthamologist in one week to see if their is relief of the pressure causing the optic disk bulging. He also said her vision and likely hormones should be monitored every 3-6 months, or sooner if there is a noticeable change. The other plan is to repeat the MRI in 4 months.

This puts her finishing school here on schedule, attending her job in Alaska and then checking in with a new doctor in California just before college starts. Thank you for your prayers and concern. While we still don't have a final word from the pediatrician, we do feel there is some direction. While we certainly get into a panic and her mom jumps to worse case scenarios, we do feel confident that all the doctors are working together to gain a clear picture of what is happening. Please keep us in prayer as this chronic, potentially serious issue is something we are all adjusting to and it really makes it hard to let Haley go and live her own life. We don't want to hold her too tightly or be over protective but give her the skills she needs to take care and be responsible for her own health.

We love you and thank you
Kelli

Moderation

2009-04-26T21:57:00.000-07:00

Moderation. def. "The avoidance of excess or extremes; the action of making something less intense." Now that's a word easy to preach about but not so easy live by. But by the grace of God, this past week I've been able to 'moderate' somewhat in my often hectic life. I laid low - no public speaking - no traveling - and really not a lot of talking; and for the first time in a couple of months my sore abs actually feel like they're starting to heal. Now moderation would instruct me to continue the process and not ramp up to quickly. So if you see me running around town this week, just say. Go home and moderate :-)

I would like to ask you to keep in prayer a missionary family serving in Kenya. Ed and Kelli Compean (out of Calvary Chapel Poway) are asking for prayer for their daughter, Haley, who has been diagnosed again with a growing tumor in her brain. They are consulting with their doctors tomorrow - and since it's already Monday in Kenya you could pray right now for God's power and wisdom to be demonstrated.

Hope you all have a very blessed week serving Jesus!

In His Arm's,

Pat Kenney

Back from Chicago

2009-04-19T20:54:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post thanking all of you for your prayers and thoughtful messages to my family and I as we laid my mom to rest yesterday. It was a Christ centered Irish Catholic funeral - an interesting combination - but God was glorified and my family was blessed - and my mom had a very loving, dignified memorial.

I"m home now and looking to get a few days rest and finally give my sore surgery site some time to heal.

Blessings and peace to all of you!

Pat

Mom's Home!

2009-04-16T20:06:00.000-07:00

At about 2am this morning, the Lord called my mom out of her worn out tent into a new mansion! A house not made with human hands! We are all very exhausted but grateful for the time we did have with her the last two weeks of her life.

Services are being held tomorrow afternoon and Sat. morning in Lombard, IL. Calvary Escondido has the details. I'm pretty fried at the moment and need to get some sleep. Gonna be a busy weekend. I am booked on a flight back to San Diego on Sunday afternoon. Thanks for praying and caring!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Not so fast

2009-04-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

My mom continues to amaze us all. About 1am this morning she opened her eyes and started chatting; uncomprehendable - but chatting nonetheless. And she stayed that way all day til I left around 7pm. She wasn't able to carry on a conversation but occasional responded to a direct question. My cousin asked her this afternoon, "Aunt Eileen, are you going to heaven?" To which mom responded clear as a bell, "Certainly!" She even puckered up for kisses while trying several times to get up, saying she wanted to go home and that she needed to get her hair done. From comatose over the weekend to this. The miracle and power of life is astounding.

None of us have any idea what tonite or tomorrow will bring. I think the whole family decided they all needed to go home and get some rest this evening. Mom's probably waiting for everyone to clear out of her room - she never liked to leave a party early!

Please continue to pray her thru on her journey to heaven.

In His Arm's,

Pat

moving soon

2009-04-12T22:48:00.000-07:00

Continuing to watch and wait with my Chicago family as our mom gets ready to move out of her old tent into her new mansion in heaven. She's very close now. We have all been surprised at how strong this seemingly frail lady has been in her final struggle. We expected her passing about mid-week but she has had her own time-table, given to her by the Lord, and we can't really know it. It was my first Easter spent in a hospital room and my first Easter in more than 39 years that I've spent with my biological family - my two younger brothers and younger sister and spouses and nieces and nephews and cousins...

My daughter sent me pics of my grandkids at a gathering of my California family at my son's home. Made me homesick a bit.

I pray you all were able to focus today on the miracle of the Resurrection of our Savior. As born again followers of Jesus, we really celebrate the resurrection every day. Because He is risen I am no longer dead in my sins but alive to God with the assurance of eternal life - all because He arose! To God be the glory, great things He has done!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Mom Update

2009-04-10T09:15:00.000-07:00

My mother continues to hold on to life - not quite ready yet to let go. Those of you who have gone thru this before know how agonizing and draining the waiting can be. Each nite, waiting for the phone call from the hospital; each day, by her bedside in the hospital; watching, praying - and waiting. It's brought back the all to vivid memories of my own wife's final days.

I'm glad I could be back here with my brothers and sister and their families. It's been a long time since all four of us have been together and making decisions as a family. I miss my own family and friends back in California - for nearly 40 years, that has been "home" for me. Yet being here in the Chicago area with my siblings and other relatives is necessary and good.

Please pray for strength for all of us. Pray for my health - which is still an issue. Pray for God to use me as a witness of His great love for all my family.

And today is Good Friday. Can we ever thank our Lord enough for the price He paid that we might have life and that more abundantly than we could ever have imagined?

Continuing in His Arm's,

Pat

Heaven - soon

2009-04-08T20:38:00.000-07:00

Today was a hard day for my mom and all of us. She was admitted into the Hospice program at Elmhurst Hospital. They have half a dozen quiet, peaceful rooms and a comfortable family area and they'll be giving her round the clock care til the Lord takes her home. We didn't have to mover her back to her condo nor to a nursing home. She'll spend her last few days with top notch care and her family able to be by her side without carrying the burden of physical and medical care as well. God brought some wonderful people across our path today. Mom and I had about 10 minutes of semi lucid communication this morning. I told her she had a stroke, she was being well cared for in the hospital...and she could be seeing the Lord, my dad and Joyce real soon. I asked her to give Joyce a kiss for me - and then I broke down a little. She just smiled, raised her eyebrows a bit, and then I quickly showed her pictures of Kaylee and her other great grandkids - she liked that.

Then a couple minutes later she slipped off into a deep sleep and barely opened her eyes for the rest of the day. We feel it could be very soon now. Heaven's not that far away! Again I and my family are so grateful for yours and so many others prayers and encouragement.

In His Arm's,

Pat

Chicago

2009-04-06T20:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks for your prayers! I made it to Chicago fine with very little pain. Got to see my mom but she was not very responsive. I hope to speak with her Dr. in the morning. I'm staying in Lombard with my brother, Mike. Not sure when I'll be back but I'll keep posting updates here.

In His Arm's,

Pat

My Mom

2009-04-05T22:09:00.000-07:00

Well on top of everything else, my mom (89) has taken a severe downward turn and her docs are recommending family be gathered if they're able. So tomorrow I'm flying back to Chicago to be with my family at this difficult time. I'm still in a lot of pain myself so please pray for travel mercies and the Lord's healing hand all around!

Love you guys!

In His Arm's,

Pat

I Can Be

2009-04-02T23:19:00.000-07:00

Today I was encouraged in the Lord to lift my eyes up and press on. As hard as I try, I can't make things happen. I can't say "jump" to my doctors and they timidly and obediently say, "How high, Pastor?" They'll jump when the Lord tells them to jump. In the meantime there's work to be done, and even tho physically I need to rest my hurtin bod, I can still be productive.

I can be productive in prayer.

I can be productive in my study of the Word.

I can be productive thru writing and calling missionaries and their support teams.

I can be productive by being an encouragement to all who call or stop by.

And I can be productive by getting my taxes done :-) clock's ticking buddy!

So while I wait for a response from the medical quagmire, I choose not to be a bump on a log!

Love you guys! Pressing on!

Pat

Prayer request

2009-04-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks!

I'm seeing my surgeon this afternoon. Please pray for wisdom and resolution to finding the source of my pain and figuring out how to deal with it. Thank you so much!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Oblique

2009-03-27T18:03:00.000-07:00

Those of you who have endured debilitating illness or injury know how "forever" the season seems in which you are not in good health or in reasonably full strength. When pain increases and sustains you wonder if you'll ever be 'normal' again. In most cases, the body does heal, but often not at the pace you would like. And the older one gets the longer the healing process takes.

I often forget what I've been thru and just expect that today I'm gonna feel a lot better and the worst is behind me. The result of that 'forgetfulness' is an assumption that I can do all that I used to do, at the pace I used to do it without consequences. One would think that after suffering the horrible 4 year battle of my wife's cancer and then losing her that emotionally I might be a mess - for a long while.

One might also surmise that my own medical challenges of six hospitalizations and four major abdominal surgeries in less than two years might seriously impact my physical and mental stamina. Then another might conclude that after moving on from my pastoral position of 27 years serving the same church and people I loved that I might be facing a serious identity crisis.

Add to that, pushing 60 years of age and now discovering I have a severe transverse oblique muscle strain/inflammation on my lower right side that may have some tearing as it transitions into my abdominal tendons causing severe stabbing pain with minimal exertion - and you might conclude that I'm a total basket case and just ready for the Lord to take me home!

All the above are reasonable assumptions - and at times I have felt everyone of them - sometimes all of them at once - and it's not a pleasant place. As most of you know who have been following this blog I have often shared just what I was dealing with... and you all have been so faithful to pray and encourage and not write me off as a confused and depressed whiner. Thank you :-)

Going home to be with the Lord and all the brethren that have gone before will surely be beyond ecstasy! But the fact and reality is - it's not over - in fact, it's likely far from over, I will recover from all this and life will go on, richer, deeper, and humbler than ever before. A dear friend shared these verses with me a couple of days ago:

Ps 27:13-14 "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!"

Ps. 40:1-5 comes to mind as well. Look it up - it's a good one!

So all this to say that I, and all my brothers and sisters who may be hurting from one crisis or another, need to look up and see the goodness of the Lord in the midst of their fog of pain and discouragement. He is still Lord, not just in the sweet by and by but in our very stark and real land of the living.

I do have an appt. with my surgeon's office this Monday evening. Please pray for them - that they might effectively guide me thru what's necessary to heal up from this muscle injury (and the previous surgeries). And pray that in the meantime, in the process of healing, I not lose heart but see the goodness of the Lord thru it all. Pray also that I have the courage and humility to heed the direction given and take the time needed to heal properly.

In His Arm's,

Pat

From Phoenix

2009-03-24T09:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks!

Heading back to Esco from the Phoenix area where I joined several guys from church and their boys for a few days of spring training baseball and some rest. Unfortunately, I was battling a lot of pain from my last surgery (which was 2 months ago) and wasn't able to be my usual crazy self at the Padres spring training complex :-) The usual quota of baseballs I get (balls hit out of the practice fields) is about 30 for 3 days - I only got 10 - operating at only 1/3 my potential :-0!

I was able to meet with the pastor of several of our Shepherd's Staff missionaries (in China and the Ukraine) and enjoyed hanging out a bit with Pastors Jeff and Rick Jackson. So now it's back home, another doctor's appointment and hopefully get a handle on the ab pain. as always, I deeply value your prayer!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Home again

2009-03-19T00:23:00.000-07:00

Made it home safely from my visit to the central coast. Got to meet and hang out with some great folks from Santa Maria, Morro Bay, and Lompoc. Also was blessed to spend some good time with one of our newest missionaries getting ready to begin a new work with children in Pedregales, MX. Meagan Webster - pray for her if you would. she's heading out in 3 weeks and still could use use more support.

This evening (Wed.) I taught the midweek service at Calvary Chapel Living Hope and was totally blessed. I haven't been able to do much pulpit ministry since last December. Met a gal praying about becoming a missionary to Israel and possibly going thru Shepherd's Staff.

The teaching time at CCLH was pain free! And tho I was sore afterward, I was so glad to have felt almost normal while teaching for a full hour. Thanks Lord!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Santa Maria 2

2009-03-15T23:54:00.000-07:00

After the morning services at Calvary Santa Maria, I drove about 20 minutes north to Pismo Beach and went for a nice walk. As you can see it was a beautiful afternoon. Interestingly, this was the place, in 1972, on an outreach trip with Joyce and a team from Christian Chapel Walnut, that I knew I wanted her to be my wife. A bittersweet memory.

Some of you were asking in emails and on FB about how Jeff Jackson was doing - so here he is

just as deep and as funny as ever! Love that guy!

So it was a good conference - small attendance wise but edifying for me and a good learning experience in preparing for, setting up, and engaging folks in conversation about the ministry.

Monday I drive up to Morro Bay to have lunch with a couple of the pastors there - and then pack up for the long drive back home.

God continues to show Himself strong and gracious on my behalf and I'm humbled He would allow me to serve these wonderful men and women who have committed their lives to making our good God known to the nations!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Santa Maria

2009-03-14T02:53:00.000-07:00

Made it safely to Santa Maria on Friday for a Missions Conference hosted by the Central Coast Calvary Chapels at CC Santa Maria. Pastor Jeff Jackson is the main speaker/teacher for the event and I am representing Shepherd's Staff. The drive up from Escondido took about 5 hours. I was pretty sore by the end of the day but grateful to be here. Details to follow.

Blessings, Pat

God's ways

2009-03-11T23:28:00.000-07:00

It's been an interesting week, thus far. As you know from my Sunday post, I did not make it to the conference in Tucson. Due to the loss of my driver's license, I would not have been able to rent a car. Then Monday and Tuesday the pain from my surgery flared up big time and Tues. I had to see a doc at Kaiser. X-rays were taken and the good news was that there was no evidence of any blockages or surgical left overs! No evidence of any muscle tears! But no diagnosis for what was causing all the pain - except that pesky scar tissue. Well, today the pain was almost non-existent and all I can deduce is that the Lord just wanted me to stay put because He knew my going to Tucson would be more than my body could handle. So He hid my license.

Yesterday I went to the DMV and got a new one and this afternoon the Honda dealership called and said they had my license!!! My lease was up and I decided to purchase my Accord and did the deal there last Monday. My car lady found my D/L on her copy machine (she'd been out of her office for several days and mine was her last transaction). She was very apologetic and I told her it was OK - that it was a God thing! God knew I wasn't going to be feeling well and stubbornly would have flown to Tucson anyway - so He had her forget to give me my license back to stop me in my tracks. She thought I was just being kind to her - but I really felt it was God so no need to get upset with her.

And so God's ways are sure higher than my ways. Now I'm preparing to head up to the missions conference for the Central Coast Calvary's on Friday. Will it happen??? God willing I'll be going, but I'm not throwing around that "God willing" part. I really am utterly dependent on His "willingness" to have me go. And if He doesn't, please pray I don't have to be knocked in the head to get it! Stay tuned :-)

In His Arm's,

Pat

My Plans - His Plans

2009-03-08T22:58:00.000-07:00

Prov. 16:9 says, "A man's heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps." Or, as a refrigerator magnet I have says, "Man plans - God laughs!"

My plan was to fly to Tucson tomorrow to rep Shepherd's Staff at the SW Pastor's and Leaders conference. The fly in the ointment was that for the first time in over 20 years, I lost my drivers license this past week! Without the actual license I couldn't rent a vehicle - which was a must for all the back and forth meetings I was hoping to have. My passport alone was good for the flights but then I'd be stuck. Option B was to drive out, but the 7 hour drive would just be too much for my still hurting abs and lower back. My director at Shep Staff recommended I just focus on the Santa Maria conference this coming weekend.

Well I asked you guys to pray - and this is what I get??!?? :-) just kidding. I have a peace now about it but yesterday I was not a happy camper. God knows what I can and can't handle right now and so I have to adjust my steps to His directing.

So the DMV tomorrow and a call to my doc to check why the pain in my side and back seems to be getting worse. Perhaps it's a thorn in my flesh of some kind and for some purpose I, at the moment, don't quite understand.

I'll keep you posted.

BTW I did teach the missions class up at Refuge Calvary in Huntington Beach this evening and it was a real blessing. A whole bunch of folks with a heart for missions there. Some that are going out to the field and others who feel called to serve as senders. I taught on the components of a missionaries' care/support team. They are in the middle of a 9 week training called, "Get up and Go!" And thanks Pastor Bill for the coffee and fellowship before the meeting!

Hope you all have blessed and fruitful week serving your wonderful King!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Schedule

2009-03-04T15:04:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks!

Sure would appreciate your prayer for my upcoming schedule. Except for one area of nagging pain I'm feeling pretty good and preparing for a busy next couple of weeks.

Starting this Sunday evening I'll be teaching a class on the functioning of a missionary's care and support team at Refuge Calvary Chapel in Huntington Beach.

Then Monday morning I fly out to Tucson, AZ to represent Shepherd's Staff at the SW Calvary Chapel Pastor's/Leader's conference. Home on Wednesday 3/11

Friday morning, 3/13, I drive up to Santa Maria for a weekend Mission's Conference for the Central Coast Calvary's. Pastor Jeff Jackson will be the keynote speaker and I'll be representing Shepherd's Staff.

Monday 3/16 I'm meeting with the pastor and mission's pastor of Shoreline Calvary in Morro Bay, then home Tuesday evening.

Wednesday 3/18 teaching the midweek study at Calvary Chapel Living Hope in Oceanside.

So I would really appreciate your prayer support over the next couple of weeks.

Also, someone posted a comment on my last entry asking if I've thought about hosting/teaching a weekly home fellowship. The answer is yes, but as you can see from the above, my schedule can involve being away from Escondido a lot, health permitting. I'm thinking about hosting a monthly prayer meeting for the missionaries and support teams I serve. The first one may be in April. I'll post the date and time when it's set.

May each of you be filled afresh with His Spirit and overflowing with His Love!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Into Your Hands

2009-02-27T16:19:00.000-08:00

Worries, concerns, fears. As a believer, I hate to say it, but these things often get the best of us!

And yet relief and a better perspective isn't that far away. In fact, I think it's really but a prayer away! In Ps. 57:1-2 David prayed, "...my soul trusts in You: yes, in the shadow of your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities are past. I will cry unto God most high; unto God Who performs all things for me."

As you think about the things that may overwhelm you, right now get quiet and lift each one to the Lord. "Lord, into Your hands I place my family, my employment, my bills, my relationships, my ministry, my health, my life!" There is a peace that passes understanding; that goes beyond human comprehension that can be ours when we cast our cares upon Him. When we consciously and specifically put each worry, concern, or fear into His faithful, merciful, and loving hands.

These are difficult times for everyone. But God's people for thousands of years have endured difficult, even harsh times with firm trust in "God most high - who performs all things for me."

This afternoon I was just thinking (and worrying) about a bunch of things - until I simply prayed, "Lord, You know about all this stuff! And right now I put each thing into Your hands."

I can't tell you a great light filled the room and my house shook with the presence and power of God :-) But my heart was instantly covered with His peace. And my thoughts went immediately to those who might still be following my blog and I felt at least one of you needed to read this - so DO IT!

In His Arm's,

Pat

something new

2009-02-24T13:23:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks!

Posting to my blog has been a little slow while I've been recovering. I'm sure most of you really wouldn't be too excited to read that "I stayed home this morning; went grocery shopping; sent some e-mails; read a book; went to bed." Which has been the story pretty much the past few weeks.

Today, however, I'm trying something new. A friend of mine from church has some empty office space and he has invited me to use it whenever I need it. A real blessing for sure. Working out of my house just doesn't seem to be very motivating - so to have a place to go for a few hours each day I think will really help me focus.

I also wanted to share a short note I received yesterday from another friend who has endured some difficult seasons of loss and pain. It ministered to me and I thought it might encourage some of you.

"There's an old book called Hinds Feet on High Places that has made an impact on my life for a long time. There is a chapter about suffering that paints a picture of a generational chain linking all sufferers together (back to the Old Testament believers and Heb. 11 and onward). When it comes to you, you grab onto the chain, side by side with other sufferers and make it through the valley. The companionship of others who 'know' and 'understand' is comforting. I do believe that a broken heart is precious to Jesus; He knows just what to do with it. I was reminded today that, though I do not always know what God is doing, I do know God. That makes all the difference."

God richly bless your week ahead!

In His Arm's,

Pat

22 years

2009-02-17T20:54:00.000-08:00

I had an enjoyable evening yesterday with Chuck and Anita Saunders who are missionaries serving at Calvary Chapel Oxford - England. They have been on the mission field for 22 years! First in the Philippines from '87 to '01 and in England ever since. 22 years is a huge chunk of ones life - and not as common in our day as in decades past. Just sitting in my living room and listening to them share about their work, the needs and challenges of their church, the many opportunities open for ministry... it all just blessed me so much.

When they left I had to thank God for allowing me the great privilege of getting to know and serve in some small way missionaries like these. After nearly a month of me dealing with my own medical problems - and being a bit sidelined from my new work because of it - last nite may not have wowed the Saunders as it did me - but God used it to refresh my heart and remind me of the good work He has ahead for me. Blessed be His Name!

Today I joined the staff of CC Escondido for lunch with missionaries sent out from CCE about 10 years ago - Boy and Jane Borbaho - who are back here for a few months from the Philippines. Again it was a joy just listening to their stories and marvelling at how they've grown and how the Lord has been using them.

May the Lord continue to bless these precious servants and may He raise up many more to reach the nations with the good news of Jesus!

In His Arm's,

Pat

A whole week!

2009-02-15T00:13:00.000-08:00

Wow! It sure is nice going thru a whole week without feeling like I got run over by a bus! Saturday morning I sat in with a whole bunch of musicians worshipping the Lord together at Calvary Escondido. It was a real joy seeing lots of old friends and making some new ones as well. And, of course, playing my guitar for a couple of hours really felt good. Sweet voices and fun music being lifted up to the King was the order of the morning.

It helped fill a day that I always enjoyed with my darling valentine till cancer took her a couple of years ago. Now my valentine is Jesus, the true and eternal love of my life.

Another life milestone has passed with both of my children now in their 30's! Jordan had his big 3-0 last week and Noelle passes 34 today. Which means that their dear old dad will be staring down the "60" marker in a few months. Come Quickly Lord Jesus!

I'm going to be meeting with some Shepherd's Staff missionaries from Oxford, England tomorrow evening - that will be a joy getting acquainted!

Thanks again for all your prayers for me, my family, and my ministry!

In His Arm's,

Pat

post-op

2009-02-11T08:38:00.000-08:00

I met with my surgeon yesterday for my post op appointment. He said everything looked good and appeared to be healing up properly. He said the recovery time would be another four to six weeks, ie. no heavy lifting or strenuous exercise. After 15 months what's another few weeks, right?

Overall, the past couple of days have been my best yet - pain wise. My head is still a little foggy from the meds and anesthesia but slowly clearing. I'm starting to focus again on my work with Shepherd's Staff and anxious to get back up to speed. I'm hoping to be well enough to rep Shep. Staff at the Southwest pastors and leaders conference in Tucson Mar. 9-11 and a missions conference in central Ca. in Santa Maria the following weekend.

And thru it all, God is so good! If anything I am learning thru all these trials that God is faithful and loves me so much! That is so humbling because I am so often such a whiner :-)

He loves me, not because of who I am or what I am accomplishing, but because of Who He is.

He sees my end and I only see my present. He sees me with Him in eternity and loves me as if I were already there! That's pretty cool!

In His Arm's,

Pat

When will it stop?

2009-02-08T21:30:00.000-08:00

When will it stop? I think that's a very common question expressed by many who are going thru seasons of suffering, illness, or loss. When I'm hurting it seems it will never go away - it will never get better. A very limited narrow perspective for sure, but also a very powerful influence on the quietness, peace and steady trust in the Lord, which is our constant possession as believers.

I'm gaining greater empathy for people who suffer with chronic or constant pain. My ordeal isn't as gnarly as what many good and godly people have to endure. But I am learning as I go thru my own bouts of abdominal pain from my surgeries and blockages that God is right here with me. Not causing my pain but holding me and seeing me thru it day after day.

I've come to the point of "discussing" with God the possibility that I might be dealing with this pain and discomfort and inconvenience for a long time - maybe for the rest of my life. And if that's the case, how will I still serve Him? What will my ministry consist of? I'm not resisting those possibilities anymore - just wondering how I will need to adapt and humbly asking for His wisdom, strength, and patience to do so.

When will it stop? Maybe it will and maybe it won't. Either way, His love and care remains constant and deep and eternal. And that's the place we really grow. Help us Lord to walk close to you every day - and when the storms and tragedies of life seem to nearly knock us off our feet, may we remain confident that You are holding us and you will never let go!

In His Arm's,

Pat

So how can I pray for you?

2009-02-04T22:38:00.000-08:00

I've received so much love and encouragement while getting better and I would truly like to be praying for you who have been following my crazy journey thru loss of a spouse, transition to a new ministry and trying to get well physically. You can write me at escorev@gmail.com.

This week has been an improvement over last week pain wise. Starting to get out and run errands every day and hope to be walking daily by the end of the week.

On the missions front. Please pray for the Havertape family as they have left for Russia to work on obtaining their residence visas - a process that could take a couple of months - they have already served in Russia for 5 years. Also, next week, my friend Bob Claycamp's son Jessie and his family are heading out to China long term. Bob and Jeanie's other son, Micah, and his family are presently missionaries in the Ukraine. Pray for the Senior Claycamps as a bunch of their grandchildren will be in the mission field as well. And you grandparents know how hard it is to have your grandkids live far away - and ya can't get much farther away than Russia and China!

In His Arm's,

Pat

slow progress

2009-02-01T22:00:00.000-08:00

6 days out from surgery and I'm starting to feel a little better. There is still a lot of pain and swelling in the abdominal area but I did get out for a short walk this afternoon. They told me this one would be more painful than the others - and they weren't lying.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to get moving on a bunch of correspondence with my missionaries and their sending churches. Please pray for the Inland NW Pastor's and Leader's Conference being held in Spokane, WA. Ron from Shepherd's Staff will be covering it in my place. Pray for a growing hunger for raising up and sending out their own missionaries amongst these great churches.

Hope you all had a blessed weekend.

Thanks to all who have been praying and calling and sending encouraging notes these past few weeks. And a deep thanks to all who stepped up to commit to financial support of my new ministry with Shepherd's Staff.

In His Arm's,

Pat

Heading home!

2009-01-28T09:05:00.000-08:00

Hi folks! Well my doc said I was good to go home this morning.

Thanks so much for your prayer and faithful support.

Pat Kenney

Sent from my iPhone

tell what's happening

2009-01-23T09:21:00.000-08:00

I've often wondered why missionaries don't write back to their home churches and supporters more often. And as I stared at my blank blog screen for the 4th or 5th time this week, I began to identify. Tho a lot has been happening, putting it into words or a format that's interesting and compelling reading doesn't come natural to most of us.

So this week I've met and/or talked with a bunch of missionaries, counseled some, encouraged others, made new contacts, visited support teams and missions pastors and friends and home fellowship and it's all a lot like last week and the week before and the week before that :-) Like so many other missionaries/pastors/servant leaders we do what we do as unto the Lord without a lot of fanfare and splash. We often are repulsed at bringing attention to ourselves or our work because all glory belongs to the Lord. And yet the nature of our Christian community is one of sharing and caring and not isolation. A vital part of fellowship is communicating what the Lord is doing in our lives even if it doesn't seem like much in our own eyes.

Others are blessed in ways we may never know by our "routine" faithfulness to His call. So tell others about the Lord's work in your lives. Tell how He is blessing and sustaining and chastising and empowering. We often are moved and challenged and grow thru the witness and testimony of those around us.

And I get to share a new 'hospital' testimony next week as I'm having surgery Monday morning to repair a few hernias related to my previous surgeries! Thanks in advance for your prayers!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Better

2009-01-19T10:53:00.000-08:00

Good Monday morning! Just a short note to say I'm feeling a lot better today. Thanks for your prayers. Yesterday, after meeting with the support team for one of Shepherd Staff's missionaries in Romania and the leadership of CC Poway, and receiving a lot of prayer from them, my physical discomfort began to ease up. I thank God for His mercy!

Today I meet with my surgeon to go over the hernia repairs scheduled for next Monday. Tomorrow I meet with another missionary family preparing to return to Russia. Lot's of email to catch up on before next monday. Love you all!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Interlude

2009-01-16T22:48:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all who were praying for my recovering from another obstruction that landed me back in the hospital last weekend. I got home Monday, but all week I've been weak and still hurting - just not as bad as last Thursday. And again I have to wonder, "How does this all fit?" I know in the Lord's sovereign plan He has a purpose for everything - but He usually seems to draw us thru the trial that we might learn to trust it all to Him - and later down the road we see the benefit of staying true and close to Him - even in the storms!

So I'm trying to pace my self since this last incident sparked surgery scheduling to finally schedule my hernia repair surgery for next Mon. the 26th.

This setback and the upcoming surgery as forced me to cancel a trip to Phoenix for some Shepherd Staff Training last week and a conference up in Spokane I was supposed to attend the week after my surgery. I also had to cancel a Sunday Morning teaching op at CC Mid Valley in Encino on the 25th. Frustrating, because I want to be telling you all about the new work I'm doing with some wonderful missionaries - but that will come.

Again, thanks for keeping tabs on me - and your prayers for next weeks surgical procedures would deeply appreciated.

In His Arm's,

Pat

Hospital

2009-01-11T07:30:00.000-08:00

Once again I find myself confined to a hospital bed at Kaiser.
Thursday evening, as I was packing for Phoenix, I felt the sharp
stabbing pains of a small bowel blockage. Needless to say I didn't
make it to Phoenix!

This one has been rougher than 3 months ago - but God is still faithful.

I may go home by Tuesday.

In His Arm's

Pat Kenney

Sent from my iPhone

Mission's Conference

2009-01-06T23:02:00.000-08:00

Well I've been representing Shepherd's Staff at the annual Calvary Chapel Mission's Conference going on thru Thursday in Murrieta. I'm having a great but exhausting time meeting folks from all over the world. Many have shown serious interest in the ministry and resources available and followup from all the contacts made will keep us hopping for the next few weeks!

I pray you're all having a blessed week!

In His faithful care!

Pat

New Year

2009-01-01T10:26:00.000-08:00

What will 2009 bring? After 2008 I'm a little more cautious in asking that question. '08 was surely an emotional roller coaster for me. In many ways it was a very hard year - dealing with surgeries and hospitalizations and long recoveries, continuing to work thru the grieving of the loss of my Joyce, and no longer pastoring Calvary Escondido. It was also a year of many victories, new relationships, and new ministry opportunities. The greatest joy of '08 has been watching my son renewed in his relationship with the Lord and growing in his daily walk. Both my son and daughter have been such an incredible support to me thru a very difficult year. Another huge blessing has been the opportunity to serve the mission's ministry of Shepherd's Staff.

As I now await the scheduling of still another surgery I understand that life and ministry goes on regardless. Rather than putting everything on hold again "til I'm better," I'm instead moving ahead with ministry and life and the Lord will work out the timing. I love the Lord and so desire to know Him and His Word closer and deeper in this coming year. His promises are sure and He will never leave or forsake me! Psalm 1:3 assures me that "he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in it's season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper!"

2009 is sure to be filled with God working inside and out. Perhaps this will be the year that the Lord brings His church home! If He chooses to wait a bit longer, then we all have more time to serve Him and each other and to continue reaching out to a very hurting and hopeless world with the light and truth of the good news of Jesus Christ!

Press on!

In His Arm's,

Pat

blog access

2008-12-30T19:30:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks,

I've been having frequent difficulty accessing my blog. Often the link only comes up with a blank screen and I'm trying to identify if the problem is only on my end. If any of you have had similar difficulty getting my blog to come up, could you please email me at escorev@gmail.com?

Thanks a bunch!

Pat

Happenings

2008-12-30T00:11:00.000-08:00

Just a brief update. Ministry wise I was blessed to teach again at Calvary Chapel Vista's 3 morning services this past Sunday. Next week, it's representing Shepherd's Staff at the annual Calvary Chapel Missions Conference at Murrieta Hot Springs Conference Center. Looking forward to a full three days of fellowship, teaching and networking. Then over the weekend I'll be in Phoenix working with Pastor Jeff and some of the Shep. Staff team in an "in service" training time with the materials, course outlines, and other resources offered by the ministry.

Love you and may you all have a blessed, safe, fruitful and happy New Year!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Christmas Blessings!

2008-12-24T20:52:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas Eve and I just returned from my son's in-laws and a house full of grandkids! What delicious chaos! The little girls were all dressed up in their elegant Christmas outfits. Just before opening their presents, Grandma Lynn asked them all what Christmas was really about. Kaylee, age 6, shouts out above all the noise, "It's about Jesus!" Indeed it is.

My hope and prayer for all of you is that your Christmas would be filled with Jesus - overflowing in the wonder of His love. May His peace and joy wrap around that so precious gift of salvation given to us in Christ.

A very blessed Christmas to all of you who have been following this blog and the progression of my life and ministry these last couple of years. I hope we can all look forward to a fruitful, healthy, and safe new year ahead!

In His Arm's,

Pat

learning lots!

2008-12-19T21:49:00.000-08:00

I am presently working thru making contact with the missionaries from the sending churches in my Western US region. In that process, I'm reading a lot of blogs and prayer updates and newsletters available online - posted by "my" missionaries or their churches. One evening this week I spent a couple hours just reading about a missionary family in Kyrgystan. Each missionary has such an amazing story of faith and obedience to God's call. And each one has had to endure hardship and trial and some, outright persecution.

I've not only been blessed but convicted as well. You can't start getting close to these folks without your own heart and walk being challenged.

My goal now is learning about and writing at least one of my missionaries a day for the next 3 weeks. After that it's time to start hooking up with each of their sending churches - and there's about 30 of them! So each day for the next few weeks will be a new learning experience for me.

In addition to the daily writing, over the next couple of weeks, I'm meeting with local pastors, teaching at Calvary Vista on the 28th and representing Shepherd's Staff at the annual Calvary Chapel Mission's Conference in Murrieta Jan. 5-7. Then it's off to Phoenix for some training with Pastor Jeff and visiting with some missionaries home on furlough and some getting ready to be sent out.

Thanks to all of you who are praying for me and this work...can't do it without you!

In His Arm's,

Pat

prayer

2008-12-16T07:29:00.000-08:00

Prayer is so crucial to fruitfulness in any ministry. It is often the least practiced yet the most needed. My ministry with Shepherd's Staff to missionaries and their sending churches and support teams needs a lot of prayer. The emails I write, the phone calls I make, the meetings I have, the conferences I attend, and my health - all need to be covered in prayer.

So I humbly ask you to pray with me for this ministry. I'm meeting with a missionary from the Philippines today, a mission's pastor who has three missionaries in the field with Shepherd's staff tomorrow, and a senior pastor of a large 'sending' church on Thursday. I also have about 25 missionaries I need to personally write/contact over the next couple of weeks. Please pray for wisdom and discernment and compassion - and the the Holy Spirit would minister words of encouragement and edification to all I speak to.

On the medical side, I did hear from my surgeon that he was starting the process to get my hernia repair surgery scheduled. Pray the timing of the surgery and recovery doesn't hinder too much my responsibilities.

Love you guys!

Pat

Sweet!

2008-12-14T14:54:00.000-08:00

Well it was a really sweet time at CCE last nite and this morning. Can't tell ya how cool it was to be so encouraged and supported by my church family. I was able to share some of the history of our journey in missions over the last 25 years and the new direction of my ministry now with Shepherd's Staff. The love was nearly overwhelming! Thanks to all who were there and participated in prayer and good words for my new venture of faith.

Love you all so much!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Bless Ya!

2008-12-11T01:17:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to say the Lord bless you today! May this day be one of joy and patient trust as we rest in His will. Our Master loves us with an everlasting love - which means it is a constant. No matter the mountains or the pits His love is steady and able to hold us and comfort us and sustain us thru even the most terrible stuff of this world.

Hold on to Jesus' love - nothing can compare!

In His Arm's,

Pat

emcee

2008-12-06T09:18:00.000-08:00

This week has just zipped by. Been on the go a lot - so what else is new? :-)

Highlighting the last few days was last nite's Camp Alandale Christmas dinner and fundraiser at the Windmill in Carlsbad. I was asked to emcee the event and it was a real blessing. About 150 folks gathered to thank God for the ministry to abused and neglected children that Camp Alandale provides. You can check out their ministry at this link: Camp Alandale

This coming week has me meeting with several missionaries, a few pastors, doing a Men's Breakfast at Calvary El Centro on Saturday and giving a ministry update at the weekend services at my home church, CC Escondido.

Keep growing in Jesus!

Pat

Mission's support teams

2008-12-02T15:00:00.000-08:00

Up in the L.A. area yesterday and today doing Shepherd's Staff things. Last nite I had the privilege to speak to about 30 missionary support team members at Refuge Calvary Chapel in Huntington Beach about building a strong support team for their missionaries. Two families were preparing to be sent out. One is preparing for East Africa and the other for Northern Ireland. Two other missionaries were there on furlough from Iran and Melbourne, Australia.

I told them I was there to not only support and encourage them - but also to learn from them. And just observing their interaction and desire to help and come along side their missionaries was really stimulating and encouraging to me. It's estimated by many mission's writers that a healthy support ratio of support team members back home to missionaries on the field is about 8:1. Eight praying, encouraging, willing to work on behalf of their missionaries team members, from the missionaries home church! It's clearly a challenge to keep such a team healthy and vibrant and effective as the months pass. And that's part of the Shepherd's Staff vision - to offer help to sending churches in maintaining the health of their support teams - which in turn maintains the health of their missionary. And that's part of my new job responsibilities now.

What a joy to serve those who are serving as senders as well as those who are sent!

This evening I'm meeting with another Shepherd's Staff missionary family serving in Israel and sent out from Shoreline Calvary Chapel up in Morro Bay, CA. They are home just for a couple of weeks. Please pray for them that the Lord would meet all their needs for their family and their ministry.

Thank you all for continuing as part of MY prayer support team :-) I really need it!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Missions...

2008-11-25T22:08:00.000-08:00

I've had a good day meeting with and writing a bunch of missionaries. Had lunch with Bill Davis from New Tribes in the Philippines. Bill and his wife Donna have been serving the people of Palawan for about a quarter of a century! They have been translating the New Testament into the language of a Palawan tribe that up til now has never had a written copy of Gods Word in their own tongue! What a life's work! Please keep them and the people of Palawan in prayer as Islamic extremists are making serious inroads in the province.

This evening has been spent writing to some of the missionaries with Shepherd's Staff. It's hard to describe both the joy and the burden for these families as they serve the Lord in radically different places and cultures. In particular, could you pray for the teenage daughter of Ed and Kelli Compean who are church planting in Kenya, East Africa. Haley has been diagnosed with a small brain tumor. Here is a link to their blog

I also continue to be so thankful for all of you who have been praying for me thru this time of transition. Great is His Faithfulness!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Shepherd's Staff

Getting down to business

2008-11-25T00:16:00.000-08:00

Today began a day of missions mindedness. From my devotions in the morning to reading about serving as senders, to compiling my contact lists and emailing several of our Shepherd's Staff missionaries and going over outlines for a meeting next Monday - and getting a haircut:-) the day zipped by. It's late now but I just wanted to give God the glory for a good day. He used it and blessed it - great to be along for the ride!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Back Home - New Ministry

2008-11-20T15:41:00.000-08:00

After nearly 13 days on the road, it sure is good to be back home. I had a great trip visiting my family in the Chicago area. My mom is 88, still with a great sense of humor, even tho her memory is starting to fade. She's never seen any of her great-grandchildren and I'm hoping to bring almost 6 year old Kaylee for a visit sometime this spring or early summer.

Chicago was being swept by Obama-mania. Nearly every news story seemed to have a tie in to the new president elect. And tho I find it difficult, the Word still exhorts me to pray for those in authority. As Christians we must take the higher, nobler ground and not succumb to fear or anxiety or bitterness. God's love in Jesus is still the answer for our messed up world!

From Chicago I flew to Albuquerque where on Mon. and Tues. the board and regional mission facilitators of Shepherd's Staff met to pray and seek the Lord for the course He would have for the ministry in the year ahead. I had to pinch myself a few times to make sure it was all real. I've been welcomed into a great ministry and find myself part of team of folks I've mostly known for years - some for decades! Pastor Jeff Jackson who developed the core concepts of the ministry and serves on the board was my first assistant pastor in the mid '80's. He and his wife Helen and their kids were the first missionaries Calvary Escondido sent out to the Philippines and have been my dear friends for a long, long time.

Also serving on the board are my long time friends Jim VanderSpek and Dr. Nick Yphantides.

Other board members are Pastor Dain Wadley from the Calvary Chapel in Poway, Pastor Joe Paskewich who pastors a Calvary in Connecticut, Pastor Jeff Fadness who is pastoring a Calvary in Pocatello, Idaho after 12 years pastoring a church in Russia, and Ron Clipp who is the present director of Shepherd's Staff. Unable to attend were Pastor John Michaels of CC Spring Valley in Las Vegas who has pored his life into missions and missionaries around the world for nearly a quarter of a century, and my friend Trip Kimball who spent many years ministering in the Philippines - most recently as director of the Calvary Chapel Training Center and the Rainbow Orphanage in Dumaguete. Just an absolutely great group of men who love Jesus and love missions.

I'll be working alongside Bryon Mondok who used to be the mission's pastor of CC Jupiter in Florida. Bryon will be responsible for the missionaries serviced by Shepherd's Staff east of the Mississippi and I'll be responsible for those in the western US. We'll both be assisted by a gifted team of resource pastor's who will help with training, teaching and representing the ministry at various pastor's and leader's conferences around the country.

My new job will include building relationship with 43 missionaries and about 30 sending churches. I'll have many opportunities to teach and offer specific training to help both missionaries prepare for the field and their churches to help care for them. I think my plate will be full! And I'm so blessed the Lord would give me this opportunity to meet so many new people who are serving Him radically and be of assistance to them.

Thanks for your continuing prayer for my health - I'm doing better! And please pray for these missionaries I'll be serving. From time to time I'll include stories and links about their ministries - I'm sure you'll be blessed and challenged!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Albuquerque

2008-11-17T22:30:00.000-08:00

God is surely doing a new thing as doors are opening for a much more involved work serving missionaries and their sending churches who are using the services of Shepherd's Staff. We had a great day of meetings today in Albuquerque. My responsibilities could include ministry to more than 40 missionaries from all over the world. I'll know more specifics after the SS board meets tomorrow.

As of today, my speaking schedule is as follows:

Dec.1 Refuge Calvary Chapel in Huntington Beach - sharing with some of their mission support teams.

Dec 13, sharing at a men's breakfast at Calvary Chapel of El Centro

Dec. 14, sharing at both services at Calvary Chapel Escondido - Yeah!!!

In between the speaking opportunities will be establishing contacts and setting up meetings with the pastor's and/or mission boards of those churches in the western US who have missionaries from their churches out in the foreign mission field. Lots to do!

It will be really good to get back home on Wednesday after 12 days on the road. Thanks for all your prayers, I'm getting thru this trip pretty well physically.

In His Arm's,

Pat

Technical difficulties

2008-11-14T04:28:00.000-08:00

The churches website has been moving this past week to a new server which has resulted in some challenges getting my blog back up and running. Thanks to Miles for his time working on it. Should be back to normal soon - thanks for your patience.

My visit with my family in the Chicago area is going well. Tomorrow I head back west to Albuquerque for the Shepherd's Staff meetings. Love and miss you all!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Back in my hometown

2008-11-10T14:06:00.000-08:00

Been visiting my family in the Chicago area since Friday. Temps are about the inside of my refrigerator and the 'Windy City' has been just that!

It's been good for me to reconnect with my siblings. I have two younger brothers and a sister here along with their families. Seems like all us brothers have gone thru some pretty serious health challenges the past several years. Weird that so much of our conversation revolves around medical procedures and doctors and medicines. It wasn't too long ago that we thought, "That's all older folks seem to talk about!" Now we're the ones talking!

Today, my brother Mike and I drove into downtown Chicago, visited the Chicago Historical Society and had lunch at Grumps near Lincoln Park.

As we drove past the areas I lived and worked and partied in from '68-'71 before hitch hiking out to Southern California and giving my heart to Jesus, I was just so amazed at God's hand and purpose directing me back then. We drove past Moody Bible Institute and I thought of the two students there that helped me get out to the West Coast in Oct. of '71 to find the Jesus People.

I remembered many of the crazy things I did and was so thankful for the mercy of God in seeing me thru my blindness and rebellion. Nearly 40 years have passed and a whole other life has been lived. A really wonderful blessed life I might add. Though I always missed my family here in the mid west, God was gracious in giving me an additional family in California full of fathers, mothers, sister, and brothers - a hundredfold for sure!

Let's be sure to take some time this week to give thanks for all the Lord has seen us thru! And let's expect Him to continue to do great and mighty things - that we can't even imagine!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Chicago bound

2008-11-06T09:28:00.000-08:00

It's packing time again! Tomorrow morning I fly back to the midwest to visit with my family in the Chicago area for a week. Haven't seen my little brother (at 51 not so little) in many years. I also have another brother and a sister and my mom whom I'll be seeing a lot of along with a bunch of nieces and nephews.

I hope to meet with a couple of Calvary pastors back there as well before heading back west to Albuquerque for some Shepherd's Staff meetings. I'll be back in town a week before Thanksgiving.

The Lord is so good to us! Even tho the recent elections were discouraging to many, the basic core of who we are and what we are called to do has not changed. Another pastor friend of mine sent me this yesterday:

1. THE BIBLE will still have ALL the answers.

2. PRAYER will still work.
3. THE HOLY SPIRIT will still move.
4. GOD will still inhabit the praises of HIS people.
5. There will still be GOD-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to GOD.
7. GOD will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room AT THE CROSS.
9. JESUS will still love you.

10. JESUS will still save the lost.

Therefore let's gird up our minds and hearts and press on to know, love and honor our Lord in all we say and do - and let's keep loving the lost all around us.

In His Arm's,

Pat

VOTE

2008-11-02T13:25:00.000-08:00

A pivotal week ahead for our city, state, and country. Be sure to vote on Tuesday - and vote for righteousness and truth. To the best of your ability, vote guided by the Word of God. You've studied the issues and heard from the candidates and now it's time to exercise your civic and godly duty. The divisions in our country are becoming more and more extreme. It is my conviction that either one holds to Biblical absolutes or they succumb to the whims and desires and agendas of those who have chosen not to retain God in their hearts or minds. There really is no "middle ground" here. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." Proverbs 14:34.

Pray for our land. Pray for one another. And no matter the outcome, be strong and courageous and stand for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for the Truth and authority of God's Word. We may soon find ourselves as outcasts, rejected, ridiculed, resisted and restrained because of what we believe and the public way we stand upon what we believe. If our country continues to choose unrighteousness and giving it's stamp of approval to all forms of ungodliness and wickedness - then persecution of true believers will be upon us here in what once was "One nation under God."

I do look forward to the election outcome. Whoever and whatever wins or looses will still require us to live sold out lives for Jesus. Let's not be too elated or too discouraged. Let's press on to know the Lord and be a strong witness of His love to a desperate, needy world.

In His Arm's,

Pat

300 miles

2008-10-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I put another 300 miles on the car driving up to Huntington Beach to visit a young man who, with his wife and two little boys, are preparing to go to Kenya, Africa as missionaries sent out by Refuge Calvary Chapel and supported thru Shepherd's Staff. What a joy and an education it is listening to the heart of one called to leave it all and follow the Lord's leading to serve a people so different and far from anything familiar. Pray for Jonathan and Adrienne as they make ready.

From HB I then headed up to the San Fernando Valley to spend some time with another Calvary Pastor in Encino. David Cuff has been pastoring the church there for 13 years. We had a great time of fellowship, sharing ministry joys and sorrows, and prayer.

I have written in past posts of my desire to be an encouragement to other pastors in this new season of my life. After more than 32 years in full time pastoral ministry there are a lot of stories to share - and not much that I haven't experienced in church life. So it's such a blessing to connect with other brothers in the "trenches" and watch God at work!

Then after Encino I drove a little further north to have dinner with my daughter and son-in-law in Valencia. Got home around 11:00 pretty tired but grateful for a good day full of ministry and serving. Thanks for praying!

In His Arm's,

Pat

www.shepsstaff.org/kenney.aspx

New addition

2008-10-26T22:16:00.000-07:00

As I was closing the book on my 59th birthday happenings yesterday, a brand new life began. At 11:40 pm on the 25th little Ethan David was born to Andrea and Miles DeBenedictus! Baby and mom are fine - not sure what shape Miles is in but I'm sure he's just ecstatic with his firstborn son. I and my family wish them all the best blessings God can give!

On a ministry note, Yesterday I was asked if I would be able to minister at a small church in Tahiti for a couple of months beginning around Christmas! I had to decline due to my health and responsibilities with Shepherd Staff. At another time, in another season, that could be a very exciting thing to do. That's the kind of thing Joyce and I would have loved to have done together. But honestly, I just couldn't imagine going to a place like Tahiti to minister for an extended time without a helpmate.

Attended church at CC Escondido this morning and, as always, it was such a blessing to see and hug so many good friends. Josh gave a great message out of Ro. 12. Listen to it if ya missed it.

This coming week I have several meetings with local pastors and of course the Harvest Celebration - only this year I'll be hanging with all my grandkids up in Menifee at Revival Christian Fellowship's Harvest bash.

Hope your week just overflows with His peace and goodness!

In His Arm's,

Pat

www.shepsstaff.org/kenney.aspx

Docs

2008-10-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a couple follow up visits with my docs concerning that recent hospitalization a few weeks ago. Basically, I'm changing my diet and need to have an incisional hernia repair surgery in 4 to 6 months. They want to give me a little more time to heal from the last surgeries before going in again. How do I feel about all that? God has a plan and whatever He wants me to do is in His hands. And I have peace in that.

In the meantime, I have lots to do! I'll be meeting with a bunch of pastor's over the next couple of months to share more about Shepherd's Staff and learn how we can assist them in the care of their own missionaries as well as help them in preparing more folks for the mission field.

I'll be in town for the next couple of weeks before heading out to Chicago to visit my family, followed by another trip to Albuquerque for the annual Shep. Staff board meeting. That journey will be from Nov. 7 thru Nov 19. Then home for Thanksgiving and, as of now, staying local thru December.

Love you guys and hope you have a blessed and joy filled weekend!

In His Arm's,

Pat

www.shepsstaff.org/kenney.aspx

Supporting Cast?

2008-10-20T16:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday Good Friends!

What a whirlwind past few weeks! With travel, speaking, hospitalization, more travel and more speaking it's time for a few recuperation days :-) Which simply means I'm staying in Escondido for a little while. I'm really blessed that God allowed me to do so much the past month in spite of my ongoing medical issues. I think about the many people with much more serious handicaps and disabilities who are pressing on in living full and fruitful lives and I want to do the same. God uses us in spite of our weaknesses, trials, or fears. He's a great loving powerful God who can and will do with us plenty beyond what we could even ask or think!

Sharing at Calvary Chapel Vista's three morning services yesterday was an awesome privilege and I was so blessed by the warm welcome from the staff and congregation. I taught on "The Walk of Love" out of Ephesians 5:1-17. You can get a link to the audio on CCV's website.

So on with the show - to God be the glory great things He has done (and will continue to do!)

I'm now officially on board working with Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators and would appreciate your continued prayer for my new responsibilities in building relationships with the Sr. Pastors and Missions Teams of the 20 or so sending churches on the West Coast that have missionaries serviced by Shepherd's Staff. As with most mission agencies, I'll need to raise most of my own support - so, if you'd like to help financially, you do so by making your check out to Shepherd's Staff Missions Facilitator's and reference #515 on the memo line, then mail it to the address below or you can also donate online at http://www.shepsstaff.org/give.aspx

By mail: Shepherd's Staff, PO Box 53640, Alburquerque, NM, 87153-3640

Raising support is something very new to me. I've helped many missionaries over the years raise their support but never had to do my own. So I'd appreciate your grace in receiving this unpolished request.

Love to hear from you if you need more info and, of course, I will be continuing to post details of what I'm doing here on my blog.

In His Arm's,

Pat

Home safe.

2008-10-18T21:51:00.000-07:00

Made it back to Escondido this afternoon and am now preparing my message for the services at Calvary Chapel Vista tomorrow morning. Services are at 7:30; 9:15; and 11:10. I'll be talking about "The Walk of Love" in Ephesians 5:1-21.

God has graciously gotten me thru this last week of travel and conferences and meetings. I'm grateful for His mercy and strength. Your prayers were answered!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Santa Rosa 2

2008-10-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

Starting to wrap up my whirlwind week. After meeting with Shepherd's Staff Missions Facilitator Bryon Mondok for a few hours it's time to get ready to head home. Had a good time talking with Bryon about the ministry of Shepherd's Staff and how we can more effectively assist sending churches in caring for their missionaries. This is such a wide open field.

For nearly 25 years, Calvary Escondido has been sending out, supporting, and encouraging missionaries on the field as well as helping them when they return. I've been privileged to be a part of that good work over the years and hope to bring some of that experience to help other pastor's and churches as they seek to develop their foreign mission outreaches. In the process, I'm already getting to meet some wonderful men of God who have a passion to make Christ known around the world.

As bleak as the political, financial, and moral state of the world is, there is a fresh move of God shining His light into a very dark age...and we get to be a part of that! As you go to church this weekend, look for opportunities to support your missionaries. Pray for them and ask God to use you and your gifts/resources to help further their work. And as you do, God will be stirring and preparing your heart and life for greater service.

Ps 85:13 says "Righteousness will go before Him and shall make His footsteps our pathway."

Get involved with the work of the King and and He will craft your path thru this crazy, sinful world. Prov. 3:6, "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."

In His Arm's,

Pat

Santa Rosa

2008-10-16T23:26:00.000-07:00

Flew into San Francisco this afternoon and drove up to Mill Valley to have dinner with Pastor Dan Fusco, a New Jersey boy planted by God in Marin County to grow new churches. Awesome conversation about the thrills of building a congregation from scratch in an area known for gobbling up churches and pastors. Dan pastor's Calvary North Bay a church less than 2 years old and already one of the larger churches is Mill Valley.

From there I drove further north to Santa Rosa where I'll be meeting with Pastor Bryon Mondok who has been representing Shepherd's Staff in Northern CA and the Pac NW. We're meeting for a few hours tomorrow to talk missions and how to help churches develop and/or improve their mission ministries and their care for their missionaries.

Then back to SF for my flight home to SD Sat afternoon. Whew! A great trip. Tuesday eve. my stomach issues began resolving and I feel really good this evening.

Here we are at another weekend. Use it for Jesus!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Day 3 Vegas

2008-10-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

Starting the second day of the missions conference at CC Spring Valley. Gayle Erwin spoke a couple of times yesterday as did Ken Ortiz. Terry and Nancy Clark are leading us in worship.

Today, K. P. Yohannan of Gospel for Asia, will be the keynote speaker along with Pastor Bob Caldwell from Boise, ID.

I've had the opportunity to reconnect with a bunch of folks I've known over the years and worked the Shepherd's Staff table for a while. Been also battling some intestinal stuff again - but not as debilitating as last week.

Hope and pray your day is blessed!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Day 1 Mesquite

2008-10-12T22:30:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

I arrived safely into Las Vegas Sunday afternoon, rented my car, and drove up to Mesquite - about 90 miles NE of Las Vegas. After a brief stop at the Dorado's, we headed over to Rick and Marie Jackson's home for dinner and fellowship. Rick (Jeff Jackson's brother) pastor's the Calvary Chapel in Mesquite. We had a good time hanging out with him and his kids, their wives and all their grandkids, plus Juan and Karen, Jeff and Helen and Crystal Rider and her son, Luke, who has quite a ministry in Mozambique, Africa. Great to see old friends - and especially old friends who are still on fire and serving Jesus!

Spending the nite at Juan and Karen's and then in the morning Jeff and I, Rick and Marie and Crystal and Luke head back to Vegas for the start of the annual Send the Message conference at Calvary Chapel Spring Valley. Looking forward to an awesome and challenging next few days.

I'm just blessed to be here - when this time last week I was laying in a hospital bed being fed and medicated thru an IV. God is good and is faithful to raise up those who are beat up and weary.

Ask the Lord to use you mightily for His name sake this week!

In His Arm's,

Pat