By J. GERALD HARRIS, The Christian Index
BUFORD, Ga. – Randy Kennedy, present interim/interim pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Snellville, is among the most superb people you’ll ever meet. Additionally it is versatile – very versatile.
The affable minister just isn’t solely a wonderful preacher, however has successfully ministered to {many professional} athletes over time. He’s an distinctive golfer himself. He is aware of how one can use a giant pencil to problem and encourage folks and is a percussionist. As a young person and younger grownup, he performed drums for a rock band referred to as the Monarchs.
One would possibly marvel if the rhythm required to play “Wipeout” on the drums, as Kennedy did it completely, is useful to an individual growing tempo, pulse and tempo for fulfillment on the golf course.
Nonetheless, Kennedy is finest recognized for serving because the lead pastor of 4 Baptist church buildings in Georgia and as an inspirational and motivational speaker. His spouse Lisa has devoted her life to serving folks by way of music. Just a few years in the past, she launched an album of her music titled My alabaster field.
Dr. Kennedy served as chaplain for the NBA's Atlanta Hawks for ten years and started chaplain service for the AFL's Georgia Drive upon arriving within the Atlanta space. Along with pregame chapels, he held a weekly Bible examine open to gamers and group workers. In 2006, Kennedy started serving on the PGA's Sunbelt Senior Tour, each as a participant and chaplain.
“With the ability to share God's Phrase with outstanding athletes has been some of the rewarding features of my ministry,” Kennedy exclaimed. “Despite the fact that they’re making thousands and thousands of {dollars}, I’ve seen the facility of the gospel and the love of God attain them on the identical degree as anybody else. Nonetheless, I can’t overstate the significance of growing a private relationship with these chances are you’ll be attempting to achieve for Christ.”
It’s typically mentioned, “Individuals don't care how a lot till they understand how a lot you care.”
Kennedy continued, “Watching the athletes reply to somebody who actually cared about them and didn't ask something from them was key to constructing a powerful and lasting relationship. It’s this relationship that has given me the privilege of main some athletes to Christ, baptizing them, officiating at their weddings and in some instances officiating at their funerals. I’ve been the pastor of many.”
After being requested to call a number of the gamers Kennedy might serve, he talked about Dikembe Mutombo, Tim Conley, Lon Kruger, Mark Jackson, Doug Plank, Tree Rollins, Kevin Willis, Craig Ehlo, Roger Roland, David Robinson and even Michael Jordan (to an extent).
Many have in contrast a number of the traits of athletics to the disciplines of the Christian religion. Kennedy agrees. He defined, “If believers adopted the mindset and day by day disciplines of profitable athletes, they’d very probably have a extra significant life and a higher influence on these round them.
“Imaginative and prescient, focus, dedication, dedication and perseverance make stars on the earth of athletics. These identical qualities within the lives of Christians make them champions for the King of kings. If we’re to be fruitful, we have to be devoted, whether or not we’re athletes, Christians, or each. True success within the sporting enviornment and within the Christian religion isn’t straightforward.”
Jesus mentioned, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and observe me” (Matthew 16:24). This assertion describes the tough path to Christlikeness, or success in “the religion which was as soon as delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).
Kennedy is eminently certified to take a big basketball, a small golf ball, a prolate spheroid (soccer), and even a big pencil and current truths which might be highly effective and spectacular. Due to his identification with numerous main athletic groups, Kennedy ceaselessly speaks at males's conferences, civic golf equipment, retreats, golf tournaments, and pastors' conferences.
Like many believers, Kennedy is worried concerning the non secular well being of the nation and believes it’s pressing that Christians particularly and the Church generally change into the sunshine and salt that characterizes all believers.
He defined: “Years in the past, Dr. OM Cates, director of evangelism for the Georgia Baptist Conference, declared at a pastoral convention and after a stirring message calling his listeners to motion, 'Now’s the time! We’re human! And that is the place!”
Kennedy famous, “That is so becoming for the church right now in its present state. God is ready and prepared to do an incredible work in us if we simply seize the second. I imagine now could be the time to get up; and sure, we’re His folks and we dwell in a spot the place God needs us to do an incredible work. Dr. Cates' phrases are extra profound right now than they had been years in the past when he spoke at this convention. There has by no means been a higher urgency to change into God's ambassadors in a world of chaos and lostness.”
