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

• 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 parents think of my sermons: "They are, uh, pretty good..."
• 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: The Awe of God, RADICAL, CREATION REGAINED, DEEP CHURCH, NEXT CHRISTIANS, CULTURALLY SAVVY CHRISTIANS, MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST, No Longer I, Killing Kryptonite
• 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...