I pray you and yours are doing well.
Please forgive my lack of communication. Frequency of updates is a task that I know I need to increase. This year has had a multitude of unexpected events that have added to my responsibilities, could not be ignored and had to be dealt with in a godly manner. Since I am the part-time (10hrs/wk) Awana Missionary to Utah there are a number of responsibilities that I have in addition to my ministry. Those responsibilities impact where I devote my time. I am still learning how to juggle all that I have to do and not drop anything. However, with the unexpected added responsibilities, I have failed to provide frequent updates to my supporters here in Utah and dropped the ball. I am teachable and with my failures, comes learning. With that said, I’ll update you on what’s been happening since the second week of January.
I’ve been in California ministering to Kely’s family as they care for my mother-in-law’s failing heath (Bile duct cancer). We left on short notice with the expectation that my mother-in-law’s life was ending and that we needed to get down there ASPA before she passed. As it turns out, her condition was not as dire as we were led to believe and I could see that we would probably be down there for a while longer than originally planned. Knowing that my financial responsibilities remain constant, rather than sit on my hands, I was able to schedule and complete a number remodeling projects over the weeks we were there to provide for my family’s financial needs. Even though I was working during the day, God was using me to minister to members of Kely’s family. I was given the opportunity to lead my sister-in-law Anh (62 years old) into a saving relationship with God through Christ Jesus. I was staying at Anh’s house in Dana Point, and following her confession of faith, we devoted time to read God’s word together each morning before I went off to work. It is Kely’s opinion that Anh’s salvation is the whole reason God had me down there.
In addition, I visited all of my California Awana mission supporters and was able to update them on what is happening here in Utah. I even did a midweek Bible study with a group interested in starting an AWANA club in Garden Grove, California. I attended (through remote access) the all day world wide Awana conference to introduce the new corporate leadership and philosophy. During the Q & A, I posed the question, “Rather than phase out the T & T Ultimate Series curriculum, have they consider making it available in .pdf form for clubs that wish to continue using the material.” Their response was encouraging in that they said they will seriously consider the idea. I am continue to follow up and push to have that curriculum available for clubs that are happy with the Ultimate Series and ultimately change their plans to ultimately stop publishing the series all together.
Prior to my stay in California, I sponsored and promoted the Utah Regional T & T Bible Quiz through ScriptureSmart.com (my ministry website) on 2/05/2017, and was scheduled to deliver the Gospel. The event was planned by the Utah Awana Ministry Team. Less than a week before the event, a dear saint heavily involved in his church, ministry and Awana suddenly went to be with the Lord. In reaction to the loss and the scheduling of the memorial the same day as the Bible Quiz (although at a different facility). I was told from a ministry team member, that the event had been canceled and re-scheduled a week later. I understood that a number of people that were scheduled to help with the Bible Quiz would be attending the memorial service and unfortunately I was not given the opportunity to call in other resources to help with the Bible Quiz and prevent the cancellation. Much to my disappointment, it was impossible to reschedule travel arrangements that had been made and remodel jobs I was under contract to complete. We were back in Utah on the 5th and did attend the memorial service, but was unable to attend the Bible Quiz the following week. I found the experience a discouraging, costly, frustrating, and a waste of time and resources. I left my family in Utah and flew back to California the following day to fulfill my commitments in California.
In addition to my family, in-laws, ministry and contracted projects – the renter in our property in Irvine, California was found to be in breach of our rental agreement and I was forced to start and see through an eviction process that should be complete April 18th. As you might imagine, the process is challenging, time consuming and stressful for all involved.
I’ve been back in Utah since 3/14/2017 and met with a group in Clearfield interested in starting an Awana club. Pictured below.
From left to right, Jailyn – Children’s Ministry Director, Sandy – Education Director, Cathy- Church Secretary, Pastor Dick – Interim Pastor, and at the desk Pastor James – new Senior Pastor. Started April 1, 2017.
Although all were very excited about starting the club, the timing was not right and unfortunately, Pastor James has decided to hold off on starting Awana until he has settled in as the Senior Pastor.
In addition, I have been completing the mid-year church engagements for 1-3 year clubs and the normal administrative tasks that go along with the Awana Missionary position. There is much more to write about but I’ll save that for the next update.
Please pray for my mother-in-law as she goes through chemo and radiation therapy (complete April 14) and of course her salvation.
I’m down in California April 13 – 22 to spend time with family over the holiday, renovate our property and find a new tenant. Please pray for traveling mercies, a smooth transition for the exiting tenant, and God providing a new God fearing tenant.
Pray for the churches that are interested in starting Awana and that the Lord would provide the leaders to make it possible.
Also, I have a review with Awana Corporate on April 18th, please pray for God help in my preparation and His favor during the review.
Thank you for all your faithful support even though I have not been faithful in providing updates. Please forgive me. I’ll do better in the future.
In Christ – Reaching the children of Utah together.
Kevin Kennington
Awana Missionary to Utah
Because kids matter to God.
Mark 10:14-16
Office: 801.882.7406
Cell: 949.701.0847
Skype ID: Kevin.B.Kennington
E-Mail: kevinke@awana.org
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“for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”
1 Corinthians 16:9 NASB
