Dr. D. James Kennedy went to be with the Lord early this morning. I heard it on NPR just minutes ago. He wasn’t as well known as Jerry Falwell , but he was a force within the Christian right. The secular media will put most of its emphasis on Dr. Kennedy’s political interests and activity, but as the founder of Evangelism Explosion and the Senior Pastor of an influential church, it was obvious that his faith in Christ was the foundation for all that he did.
I worked for Coral Ridge Ministries soon after I graduated from college. From 1988 through 1992 I worked in a number of communication positions at the television ministry established by DJK. I met my husband Mark while working there, and we were married in the beautiful sanctuary of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. A lot of my reformed theological views germanated through the ministry of Coral Ridge Church. I will join many today in saying that Dr. Kennedy’s outreach impacted my life.
I am praying for Dr. Kennedy’s wife of 51 years, Anne, and his daughter Jennifer today as they mourn the loss of their husband and father. But I am sure they are rejoicing in the life he lived and in the legacy he leaves behind.
I had not heard this. I’ll be praying for the family. But, like I was with my dear mother-in-law, I’m glad for a faithful saint to be entering his Rest!
Jennifer,
Is he the father of the woman who wrote the book you lent me a while back? I’m forgetting her name right now and the title of the book…Home is the Place You Just Left??? or something…I enjoyed the book and now I can’t remember anything about the author.
Jennifer,
Yes. Dr. Kennedy was in pain even before his heart attack at the end of last year. So he is likely rejoicing to be free of it.
April,
No. Dr. Kennedy was good friends with the father of that author. His name was Kennedy Smartt, and they were both instrumental in the founding of the PCA. It is pretty easy to confuse them.
Betty Smartt!! I knew it wasn’t snapping in my head for some reason. Well, I’m still sorry to hear about Dr. Kennedy.