Contributors
  • Kent Kessler

    Contributing sermons since Dec 7, 2006
Kent's church

Hillsdale Community Church (a Global Methodist Ministry)
Marion, Indiana 46952
7658603751

About Kent
  • Education: 1986-88 Christian Union Bible College (Pastoral Ministries track) 1989-91 Fort Wayne Bible College, Summit Christian College (BA in CE & Bible) 1991-94 Asbury Theological Seminary (MDiv in CE & Counseling) 1996- Indiana Wesleyan University (MA Counseling) 2008-10 IWU (MA in Youth Ministry) 2010-15 Gordon-Conwell (DMin in Ministry to Emerging Generations)
  • Experience: KENT excels in leadership positions where people desire personal growth and change to reach their full potential; a knowledgeable teaching mentor, Kent discerns where individuals need the most assistance and coaches them towards their greater goals. Highly-motivated in the creative, service-oriented with over 25 years of ministry experience, and a strong track record of success in start-up programs, networking, teaching, and community building. Kent is a ‘Promoter’ on the DiSC, a dependable and dedicated self-starter with exceptional caregiving skills, passionate communicator, and seeks to love people into the kingdom of God; An enthusiastic team player with excellent organizational skills, easily and effectively interacts with all ages and backgrounds; Practical visionary leader, driven towards excellence with a heart for the poor. Kent keeps himself very busy with working part-time in the mail room at Taylor University, and with facilitating online courses for Ohio Christian University. His former associations with the YMCA LiveYers after school program, and volunteering as BSA Peshewa District Commissioner with the local Cub Scout Troop helps him to keep in touch to mentor junior high boys in his local church's youth ministry today. He also performs weddings, fills in the pulpit for pastors, and is a guest speaker and singer at events.If you are looking for someone to establish a ministry tailor-made for your church from the inside out (not copied or imposed), who does not do all of the ministry himself but wants to lead others in how to do life-on-life with hands-on training as he goes, then Kent is someone you should definitely interview. He is passionate about relational evangelism that isn't finished until disciples are made; he is prayerfully creative in developing ways to lead people to Christ who are not even close to coming to church. He is equally passionate about helping young couples have a daily quiet-time and family altar. Kent believes in intentional strategies, seasonal rites of passages for the community of God, and a family approach to doing community. He writes the adult curriculum at his church (see his blog nextgenkent.blogpsot.com for samples) and also leads DISCIPLE training; Kent also sings 1st and 2nd tenor with a traveling men’s group, involved in VBS, and attends a family-oriented small group faithfully. His StrengthsFinder signature themes are: Ideation, Activator, Futuristic, Learner, Command.
  • Comment to those looking at my sermons: Would love to dialogue about any sermon you’d wish to...
  • Family: 1996 marriage to Melissa 1999 Joshua born 2001 Alethea born 2005 Andrew born 2010 JD born
  • What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: She loves me; she is my biggest fan and a great follower. She is honest and helps me to know what sticks out and what doesn’t...i let her read my sermons and allow to hear them first most of the time...and i love her!
  • Best advice given to me about preaching: Preach as if Jesus is sitting right on the front row. If you feel like you’ve dropped off a message when you’re done, then you’ve done your part. Tell the story. If you are going to preach this Word then you’ve got to get into your heart!
  • Books that have had an impact: RADICAL CREATION REGAINED DEEP CHURCH NEXT CHRISTIANS CULTURALLY SAVVY CHRISTIANS MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST
  • Hobbies: music, computer, graphics design, pre-marital counseling, singing, guitar, exercise (jogging, biking), computer games, cooking, woodworking...
  • Something funny that happened while preaching: Too many of them to mention, but none of them are when 'I' was preaching :)
  • What I want on my tombstone: he was faithful...
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Newest Sermons

  • 3 A Word-Filled Overcomer

    Contributed on May 26, 2025
     | 28 views

    So the WORD of GOD is bread, it is a sword, it is God-breathed and profitable – for when we use it in our teaching, and preaching, when we listen to its rebuke, and correction, we can be trained by it in what are the right activities to please God! That is how we overcome!

    My youngest has been tearing up his Bible! I walked out into the dining room the other day and there he was, not only reading it, but he had several pens, pencils, markers, maybe even some crayons, I don’t know, but he was underlining, and I noticed more than one color in his Bible. A couple ...read more

  • 2 A Full Believer Overcomer

    Contributed on May 26, 2025
     | 28 views

    What kind of life do you want to end with when you leave it? When you leave this life and enter the next one, what do you want to have to show Christ for it? We need to begin with the end in mind. We need to be people who fully believe in Jesus to be an overcomer in this life.

    I got pulled over about a week ago. I was pushing it a little too hard through an intersection to try to make it, and it was not even yellow not even orange. It was red the whole way through. I felt really bad about that. But I also wanted to make sure we got to Jonathan‘s band concert in plenty of ...read more

  • 1 A Jesus Lover Overcomer

    Contributed on May 26, 2025
     | 36 views

    There are pictograms used to visually help people to know the dangers of any given chemical. The warnings are meant to be read first before you use the chemical and taken VERY SERIOUSLY. The same is true for this book of Revelation.

    As a part of my job, I am learning about GHS symbols. There are symbols or pictograms used to visually help people know the dangers of any given chemical. They are printed in a red square on the side of the container describing the hazards of that chemical and the safest course of action to take ...read more

  • 5 - Since When? Since Now!

    Contributed on Nov 6, 2024
     | 209 views

    There are definitely contaminating things you can remove from yourself that are hindering you in your spiritual growth and relationship with God. MUSIC - TV SHOWS - MOVIES - HOME or OFFICE DECOR - LANGUAGE - PRIVATE LAPTOPS - PHONES - VIDEO GAMES - TIME USED

    So? So what? Paul answers that in 2 Cor 7:1 “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us (1) purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, (2) perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. Confession time. When I was in high school, I played football my ...read more

  • 4 - A Father To You

    Contributed on Nov 5, 2024
     | 317 views

    "I will be a Father to you" is a great promise but a very serious one. Having God as your Father is having a Father that expects the best from you.

    4 - A FATHER TO YOU - “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between ...read more

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Newest Sermon Series

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Newest Sermon Illustrations

  • Jesus Knocking

    Contributed on Oct 14, 2010
    based on 1 rating
     | 5,909 views

    JESUS KNOCKING A nurse on the Pediatric Ward before listening to the little ones' heart beat would plug the stethoscope into their ears and let them listen to their own hearts. Their eyes would always light up with awe, but she never got a response to equal four-year old David's comment. She ...read more

  • Once Upon A Time There Was A Young Boy Named ...

    Contributed on Oct 14, 2010
     | 4,631 views

    Once upon a time there was a young boy named Philip. Philip was born with Downs Syndrome. He was a pleasant and happy as most Downs children are--but he grew increasingly aware of the difference between himself and other children. Philip went to Sunday School at a Methodist church. His teacher, ...read more

  • Here Is A Sign That Was Posted On A Bathroom ...

    Contributed on Aug 30, 2007
    based on 1 rating
     | 2,787 views

    Here is a SIGN that was posted on a BATHROOM DOOR Attention Everyone: The Bathroom Door is Closed! Please do not stand there and talk, whine or ask questions. Wait until I get out. Yes, it is locked. I want it that way. No, it is not broken; I am not trapped. I know I have left it unlocked, ...read more

  • One Out Of Three Children In The United States ...

    Contributed on Aug 30, 2007
     | 1,400 views

    One out of three children in the United States are growing up without a father present in the home. Last year in a number of major U.S. cities more children were born out of wedlock than within. The American home is in crisis. Very serious diseases are affecting and infecting our home life. Things ...read more

  • Two Paddleboats Left Port About The Same Time ...

    Contributed on Aug 30, 2007
     | 1,546 views

    Two paddleboats left port about the same time down the Mississippi River. As they traveled side by side, the sailors began to taunt one another; challenging words were exchanged until finally a race began. After a time, one boat began falling behind; its fuel supply nearly expended. Although there ...read more