As you go through life, certain people impact you along the way and make a difference in your life. In many ways, Dr. Leland R Kennedy did just that for many people including myself. As a pastor, president of Baptist Bible College, and missionary, Dr. Kennedy impacted thousands for Christ throughout his lifetime.
President of Baptist Bible College
Dr. Kennedy was chosen to become the fourth president of Baptist Bible College after the resignation of Dr. A.V. Henderson in 1986. At that time, Dr. Kennedy served as the president of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International and pastor of the Trinity Baptist Church in Abilene, Texas. Having graduated in 1956 from BBC, he became the first alumni to become president of the school. Facing a significant down-turn in enrollment and a financial crisis, he began the arduous journey of placing Baptist Bible College back on firm footing as an institution.
The early days in his administration were critical. He often told about all-night prayer meetings where he called out to God to save the school. Drs. Parker Dailey, Gary Grey, Mike Randall, and eventually Rick Carter served alongside him as vice presidents. He also wisely invited Dr. Eli Harju back to Baptist Bible College as the Assistant to the President. Mrs. Shirley Hackler served as his executive secretary during this time and played a vital role during these tenuous days.
I remember watching his installation service as president of Baptist Bible College. My brother and I met him shortly afterwards and eventually became students at BBC in the fall of 1990. At this point, he and Grey had turned a twelve-year decline in students around and positive things were happening on campus.
While president, he started the Baptist Bible Graduate School of Theology in 1986. He named Parker Dailey as executive administrator to oversee the new school and Dr. Robert Terrey as the academic dean.
His dear wife Joy was a favorite on campus. She was diagnosed with cancer in the early 1990s. The students prayed with her and for the Kennedys during this time. After a lengthy illness, she died in 1995.
Dr. Kennedy was introduced to his dear wife Nelda some time afterwards while in Oklahoma. Mrs. Nelda and he have served Christ together ever since.
In 2002 after fifteen years of faithful service to BBC, Dr. Kennedy retired and was named as Chancellor of Baptist Bible College and Graduate School.
My President
Both my parents attended BBC in the 1960s under Dr. Vick. They spoke highly of him, Drs. Harju, Woodworth, and others. Through the years, we traveled back to BBC for fellowship week and other events. My brother and I had grown to respect the leaders of BBC and the BBFI, especially the administration and faculty of BBC.
As a new student in 1990, Dr. Kennedy became my president. The respect and appreciation demonstrated over the many years by my parents, my brother and I transferred to him, Gary Grey, Eli Harju, and the rest of the faculty. I remember laughing at Dr. Kennedy when he showed up at the Texas Bar-b-que for opening day in 1990. Blue jeans, cowboy boots, and cowboy hat, the all-Texas president became very real. Over the following years, he transitioned from a leader I knew about and respected to a friend and colleague.
After Mrs. Joy died in 1995, he would often spend more time with the students. No doubt influenced by Dr. Harju’s mentorship when he was a student in the early 1950s, Dr. Kennedy invested time in us as well. He would both eat with us and take us to eat around Springfield – which for a poor college student was welcomed! Occasionally, while out for lunch, he would drive by the cemetery to sit, talk, cry some, and pray.
In the spring of 1999, I was asked to join the faculty of the Graduate School. Dr. Christopher was the new academic dean after the retirement of Terrey and Dr. Dailey continued to serve as the executive administrator. After years of relationship, Dr. Kennedy did not even interview me for the job. In fact, the administration had discussed it, worked out the details with Cherry Street where I was a staff pastor, chosen a doctoral program to recommend for me, and made other arrangements before even talking with me. His and Dr. Dailey’s trust, with the help of Dr. Christopher, put my life on a radically different trajectory.
Personal Impact
During my years as a student and subsequently as a faculty member for several years under Dr. Kennedy, he impacted my life in multiple ways.
As a student, he demonstrated passion. From his passion for Texas to his passion for his family, he was all-in. This of course was demonstrated most effectively in his passion for Jesus Christ. He was an old-time preacher. His emotion was evident. As one of the choir, he would often preach to the choir. He often bragged on the faithfulness of God. He described his car accident as a young man and how it impacted his life. I heard him many times talk about prayer, praying all night, and interceding for others. In addition, he often discussed loving his family, serving his wife in ministry, and demonstrated before us his love of his children.
As a faculty member, he demonstrated great care. He never met me in a hall or sidewalk when he didn’t stop to ask how things were going. I still remember one day standing by the mailbox outside the mailroom having one of these conversations. He would ask about Kelly, the classroom, the students, and my ministry at Cherry Street. (Plus, he regularly over the years said to tell my dad hi, and that he wanted to go fishing again with him and my grandad.) Probably influenced by my young age, he would often tell me that he had confidence in me, was proud of me, and depended on me to serve well. Almost always, instead of “Hi” or “Hello” or some other greeting, he would turn toward me, get right next to my face, and begin with “How are you?” Plus he enjoyed wrapping his arms around me as well.
Since retirement from BBC, I have seen him less often. We have enjoyed an occasional phone call, but primarily I have seen him in various meetings around the country or when he has visited Springfield for one reason or another. The last time I saw him, I was in a bit of a hurry. He turned to talk to me, but I only had a few minutes. About one hour later, we wrapped up our conversation. He shared his incredible love for pastors, preaching, and his Impact China Ministries. In his middle 80s, he still wanted to reach the world for Jesus Christ.
Passion for Jesus Christ.
Care for others in Christ.
Compassion for a world needing Christ.
His Legacy and Future
There are many legacies a man can leave; however, I would be happy any day to leave these. Passion. Care. Compassion.
He was convinced that he would live until the return of Christ. Doc was sure that Jesus would return before he died. But, as evidenced in the news of his death, God took Dr. Leland Kennedy home to heaven and left us here to tell others about the grace of Jesus Christ.
Someday when Jesus returns, Dr. Leland Kennedy will return with him. I don’t know if he will convince the Lord to allow him to wear his cowboy hat, boots, or jeans, but for sure Doc will be passionate about His coming.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
Kevin: Great blog. Dr. Kennedy became my pastor when I was 2 years old (1958) and Dr. Vick persuaded my parents (who were members at Temple Baptist) to go help a young pastor with a church that was only 3 blocks from our home. He is the one man I have called “Preacher” all my life — even in this season of my life (retired), he would phone me to check in. So sorry that this wonderful man is gone…Thank you for your tribute ;) — Best, — David
That’s incredible. Another demonstration of his personal care.
I fell in love with Dr. Kennedy right off … my dad was the only leader I knew he was my pastor principal and one of my school teachers so Dr. Kennedy was the first man other than my father to lead me so thank you for you dedication to BBC and the students I have thought of you many times in the last 20+ years
Thank you for this wonderful tribute. I was a rebellious teenager when he came to Trinity Baptist Church. I know I was a thorn in his side back then, but I truly believed he always wanted Christ’s best for me. Today, i serve our faithful God in part, because Dr. Kennedy served Him faithfully for so many years. He was my Preacher, my college President, my faithful counselor, and my friend. I will always praise God for him.
Great testimony!!