Contributors
Ken's church

Olathe Christian Church
Olathe, Kansas 66062
913-782-3041

About Ken
  • Education: Attended Hope University in Fullerton, CA. Transferred and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Biblical Literature from Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO.
  • Experience: Youth Minister and then Senior Minister at the King’s Way Christian Church in Mt. Vernon, MO. Senior Minister for 8 & 1/2 years at the Woodlawn Christian Church in Campbellsville, KY. Senior Minister at the Olathe Christian Church in Olathe, KS
  • Comment to those looking at my sermons: Have fun and help yourself. One of my great mentors was a man by the name of Wayne Smith. Wayne "borrowed" from many sources. I try to quote the source when I know it, and I try to be original when possible, but you will find a mixture of new and borrowed material (truth is truth and why reinvent the wheel).
  • Sermon or series that made a difference: A man named Gary Riker preached a sermon in Hemet, CA. on the prophet Elijah and his fight on Mt. Carmel - it concerned taking a stand. I took a stand and pledged my life to the full-time ministry.
  • One of my favorite illustrations: Fear - Louie Armstrong’s story about fetching water with a bucket from the pond. An alligator rears up. He drops the bucket and runs back to his Aunt Hattie May. Aunt May says to get back down there and fetch the water because that alligator was as scared of him as he was of it. Louie says "If that alligator is as scared of me as I was of him, that water ain’t fit to drink any more."
  • Family: Ken and Lara Kersten were married in July of 1990. They have three kids: Kelsey, Chloe & Bubby. Ken and Lara both attended Hope University in Fullerton, CA. and then graduated from Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO.. Before assuming the Senior Minister role at Olathe Christian Church, Ken was the Senior Minister for eight years at the Woodlawn Christian Church in Campbellsville, KY.
  • What my parents think of my sermons: They’ve never heard me preach.
  • What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: hmmmm
  • Best advice given to me about preaching: People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Always remember that there is a broken heart in every pew. There is NO SUBSTITUTE for Bible study and prayer.
  • Books that have had an impact: The Bible - God The Ragamuffin Gospel - Brennan Manning The Contemplative Pastor - Eugene Peterson Searching for the Invisible God - Philip Yancey Wild at Heart - John Eldredge
  • Hobbies: Family, Sports, Reading.
  • If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: It may not always make sense and be reasonable but God loves you, he has provided a way for you to be saved and here’s how it is done.....
  • Something funny that happened while preaching: We had a VBS in which we filled the top of the church with helium filled balloons. During my sermon the balloons started descending. I started cutting points. By the time I was done the entire sanctuary was filled at head level with balloons and I couldn’t see under them from on top of the stage.
  • What I want on my tombstone: See You Soon!!!
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Newest Sermons

  • Colossians - An Introduction To The Prison Epistles

    Contributed on Jan 15, 2010
    based on 4 ratings
     | 9,714 views

    This sermon introduces the Prison Epistles. It is followed by a ten week series on the book of Colossians.

    The Anatomy of the Church – A study of the prison epistles INTRODUCTION We are starting a new series based out of the book of Colossians. The series is called “The anatomy of the Church” and in reality the series will go beyond Colossians and end up covering four of the ...read more

  • Colossians 1 - Faithfulness

    Contributed on Jan 15, 2010
    based on 4 ratings
     | 9,111 views

    This is the first sermon in a walk through the book of Colossians. It introduces Paul, the city of Colossae, and other important aspects of the Colossian letter.

    The Anatomy of the Church Colossians 1:1-14 JOKE - A man lay sprawled across three entire seats in the movie theater. When the usher came by and noticed this, he whispered to the man, "Sorry, sir, but you're only allowed one seat." The man mumbled but didn't budge. The usher became impatient. ...read more

  • Are You Smarter Than A Disciple?

    Contributed on Apr 25, 2007
    based on 6 ratings
     | 13,272 views

    Second sermon in series. It looks at the way God uses simple, ordinary people to do his will.

    Are you Smarter than a Disciple? Luke 6:12-16, 9:1-6 Please turn to Luke 6:12-16 We are continuing our series this morning entitled, “Are you smarter than a fifth grader?” Today, we are asking the question, “Are you smarter than a disciple?” And I’ve got to tell you, it doesn’t take much. ...read more

  • Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader

    Contributed on Apr 25, 2007
    based on 25 ratings
     | 12,869 views

    The first of five sermons. This message deals with child-like faith. Children believe that God is real, powerful, and present. Am I that smart?

    Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Mark 10:13-16 We are beginning a new series this morning. The sermon and series are based on the show "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" Now, let me give you some background. In the show they ask adults questions that they would have learned in fifth ...read more

  • Living The Worry Free Life

    Contributed on Apr 18, 2005
    based on 317 ratings
     | 46,878 views

    This message from the Sermon on the Mount deals with the cautions againts, consequences of, and cures for worry.

    Living the Worry Free Life Turn to Matthew 6:25-34 Perhaps you’ve seen the little flyer that says, "So far today, God, I’ve done alright. I haven’t gossiped, I haven’t lost my temper. I haven’t been grumpy or nasty or selfish. I’m really glad of that. But in a few minutes God, I’m ...read more

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  • As A Matter Of Fact It’s Not Always Easy ...

    Contributed on Jan 15, 2010
     | 2,104 views

    As a matter of fact it’s not always easy to even treat lovingly those in our own family. It can be challenging. It can be tough. I’ll give you an example. You may not know this but my wife treats me like a little child. She does. It’s embarrassing and I just can’t get her to see me as an ...read more

  • From The Balcony

    Contributed on Jan 15, 2010
     | 3,358 views

    FROM THE BALCONY A man lay sprawled across three entire seats in the movie theater. When the usher came by and noticed this, he whispered to the man, "Sorry, sir, but you're only allowed one seat." The man mumbled but didn't budge. The usher became impatient. "Sir, if you don't get up from there ...read more

  • The Great Comedian Carl Hurley Tells The Story ...

    Contributed on Apr 18, 2005
    based on 2 ratings
     | 3,635 views

    The great comedian Carl Hurley tells the story about trying to throw a trash can away. He said it’s the one thing you can’t get the garbage man to pick up. He said, I set an old rusty garbage can out at the street one morning thinking the garbage man would understand that it needed to be thrown ...read more

  • John Ortberg Pinpoints This In His Article, ...

    Contributed on Apr 18, 2005
    based on 4 ratings
     | 4,970 views

    John Ortberg pinpoints this in his article, Taking Care of Busyness. He says, "For most of us, the great danger is not that we will renounce our faith. It is that we will become so distracted and rushed and preoccupied that we will settle for a ...read more

  • I Had A Baptism One Time In Which The Dad Was ...

    Contributed on Jun 1, 2004
    based on 9 ratings
     | 3,366 views

    I had a baptism one time in which the dad was going to baptize his 9 yr. old son. He was nervous and I told him, just repeat the words "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit" and then place him under the water. Well he got in the baptistry, got nervous and then placed ...read more