Since being introduced to Leland Kennedy in the early 1960s, I have had the opportunity to know him, work beside him and appreciate his life and ministry. From my perspective, Leland Kennedy can be described in three words – friend, leader, and servant.
He was my friend
While a pastor, on several occasions, I was flattered when he recommended me to the pulpit committee of a larger church for a pastoral vacancy. I was invited to join BBC’s board of trustees in 1984 because of his influence as chairman. As BBC’s President, he invited me to become vice president in 1991. He encouraged me to accept the position of Baptist Bible Tribune Editor in 1995. He gave me his blessing when I was named our college’s president in 2002. He was always available to pray, listen, provide insight and helpful counsel. He was my friend.
He was a leader
He was a successful pastor of several churches, where he led in reaching people for Christ, discipling believers, increasing attendance, raising finances, building facilities, and enlarging outreach. As a leader in our Baptist Bible Fellowship, he promoted BBFI missions and missionaries. He enlisted my pastoral support of the Baptist Bible Tribune. As President of the BBFI, he led the pastors to stand with BBC as it faced a financial crisis in 1986. He became the school’s president later that year. As described in my autobiography, “He reassured pastors, the school staff and faculty. He raised funds to keep the school afloat and used his influence to get the BBFI to take over the chapel project, converting it to a new and needed World Mission Office Center. This move relieved the school from several million dollars of debt and possible lawsuits, because of likely unpaid construction contracts. It also gave BBFI missions a tangible presence on the school campus.”
There were many highlights of his 16-year presidential tenure, (second longest to founder G. B. Vick). Here are a few. Facilities were maintained, buildings remodeled and a new fine arts building was constructed, now bearing his name. School debt was paid off. A record of over one million dollars was raised in a May college offering. Several controversies within the BBFI hindering student recruiting and reducing fundraising were endured. Candidate status for regional accreditation was achieved. Most importantly, several thousand students completed their training, graduated, and entered the ministry. Of course, he was assisted by vice presidents Gary Grey, Rick Carter, and me, but he was the leader.
He was a servant to Christ
For the past twenty years, he has stayed busy in ministry for Christ, preaching and doing missionary work, mostly in China. My last conversation with him, before being stricken with Covid largely consisted of his sharing the wonderful things God was doing in China via the network he had built and was maintaining there. He personally won Chinese, taught them, provided counsel and resources. He was enthusiastic about the opportunities and potential for gospel work in China.
In many ways, Leland Kennedy tried to live by Paul’s admonition, “…be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord,” (1 Corinthians 15:58). He abounded in his service to Christ and his labor has not been in vain. Thank you, Lord, for Leland Kennedy’s positive influences as a friend, leader, and Your servant.
Click here to read Randy Harp’s article on Dr. Kennedy.
Click here to read Kevin Carson’s article on Dr. Kennedy.
Click here to read an article that President Mark Milioni wrote about Dr. Kennedy for the special commemorative issue of the Baptist Bible Tribune.
