Reverend Doctor (MD) Kenneth R. Kemp

by Daron Phillips
(San Antonio, Texas, USA)

My Pastor Blessing the Congregation of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church

A tribute to my pastor, Antioch’s pastor, Reverend, Doctor Kenneth R. Kemp.

I first became acquainted with Dr. Kemp in 1988 as I worked as a nurse at Brooke Army Medical Center Annex Beach Pavilion. I recall Dr. Kemp, and a couple of his associate fellows in medicine, Dr. Hayes, and a cardiology fellow, who were young Captains/physicians in the Army. The young cardiologist (I forget his name), went on to be with the Lord one day at the very annex where we worked. Dr. Kemp continues to make me proud of all of his accomplishments in his medical career and his Pastorate calling.

Many people know of Pastor Kemp’s many distinguished accomplishments, even so, I’ll just touch on a few.

1) Pastor is a United States Army Colonel (Reired) having served his country for 25 yrs.

2) Pastor is a renowned physician practicing in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Internal Medicine. He is a published author in these areas as well as in Biomedical Ethics.

3) Pastor is a published author of religious instruction books.

4) Pastor Kemp is recognized around the country as a faith leader.

5) Pastor is a bible scholar, a Shepherd who feeds his flock with knowledge and understanding of the word of God.

6) Pastor Kemp has been married to his childhood sweetheart Velma Kemp for 30 years, they have been friends for 35 years.

7) Pastor Kemp and his beautiful wife Velma have two lovely daughters, Jessica and Joelle who are studying to become a Minister and a Pharmacist respectively.

And I will give you Pastors according to mine heart which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3:15

Pastor In your many travels around the world, I know that it was surely the Lord’s divine intervention that returned you and your family to San Antonio when He did, according to His plan, for you to lead the people of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

Pastor Kemp DOES not only preach his faith; he LIVES his faith, ministering to lost souls as well as the saved. I am Godly proud as he leads by example in his dedication to God, family, the community, and mankind.

In my tribute I have borrowed excerpts from the Purpose Driven Life, the scripture based teachings of Pastor Rick Warren.

Live Your Calling: What On Earth Am I Here For?

THE CALL IS FOR YOU

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them...” Rom. 8:28 (NLT)

“It pleased God in his kindness to choose you and call you even before you were born! What undeserved mercy!” Gal. 1:15 (NLT)

“He has saved you and called you to a holy life - not because of anything you have done but because of His own purpose and grace.” 2 Tim. 1:9 (NIV)

“God’s gifts and his calling are irrevocable, they can never be withdrawn.” Rom. 11:29 (NIV)

“Brothers and sisters, you are holy partners in a heavenly calling.” Heb. 3:1 (GW)

YOU ARE CALLED TO BE LOVED

“Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.” Eph. 1:4-5 (NLT)

“What an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we should be named and called and counted the children of God! And so you are!” 1 John 3:1 (Amp)

YOU ARE CALLED TO BELONG

As Paul told Timothy “I am writing to you so you will know how to live in the family of God. That family is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth.” 1 Tim 3:14-15 (NCV)

“In Christ the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Eph. 2:21-22 (NIV)

YOU ARE CALLED TO BECOME

As you continue to run your Marathon to Maturity in Christ, “Strip off anything that slows you down or holds you back, especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around your feet to trip you up; run with patience and endurance the race that God has set before you.” Heb. 12:1

YOU ARE CALLED TO BLESS

“You are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do!” Eph. 2:10

Scripture tells us “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed...” Prov. 11:25 (NIV)

YOU ARE CALLED TO BE SENT

“Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being SENT? That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News!” Rom.10:13-15 (NLT)

"Jesus said, ‘There are so many people to harvest but only a few workers to help harvest them. PRAY to the Lord, who owns the harvest, that he will SEND OUT more workers to gather his harvest.” Matt. 9:37-38 (NCV)

Pastor Kemp in our church relationship as Pastor and People, please continue to make an Imprint, Impact and Influence in our lives.

Focus not on naysayers who would find a problem in a haystack of solutions.

Keep your eyes on Christ for He is coming again. Stand firm in the Lord, and don’t be weary in well doing, the Lord will give you strength, for He is your strength.

Through the Trials, Tribulations, Blessings & Conflict, let your mantra be “Jesus I trust you!” When the enemy comes at you, don’t hate, celebrate for Great is your reward in heaven!

Be encouraged as you spread the “Good News.” Continue taking your orders from God the Father, and report to Him alone as your higher authority, through our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Congratulations Pastor Kemp on your 6th Pastoral Anniversary and, may the Lord bless the Antioch congregation to share many more anniversaries with you and your family.

God Bless You!