Charting the Future: Dave Kenney
We often like to celebrate the fact that Northwest University alumni serve in every time zone on the planet, fulfilling the Great Commission to take the gospel from Jerusalem to the uttermost part of the world. That place is literally Indonesia, and Northwest University alumnus John David “Dave” Kenney illustrates the fulfillment of our fondest hopes for our graduates, far away in the city of Jakarta.
The son of prominent missionaries to the Philippines, Dave grew up on the mission field and felt a calling to follow in his parents’ footsteps. Today, he pastors one of the most interesting churches in the world. Located in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation on two floors of a high-rise office building in one of the busiest cities on the planet, the church literally serves the entire Indonesian society, from the poorest street people to the Forbes-listers. Their missionary budget would place them among the most generous churches around the globe, but they are paradoxically located in one of the world’s least-reached nations. International English Service, as their church is called, offers an amazing case study in missiological success.
Pastor Dave figures among the most intelligent and wisest pastors anywhere. He experienced the practical dimensions of missions from his childhood, but a great education was necessary for him to fulfill his whole potential. At Northwest University, he studied under a brilliant generation of faculty that have all retired or gone on to their heavenly rewards. Today’s faculty match up well, and Dave sent his only daughter, Isabel, to follow in the family tradition. He also sends many of his church members’ children to Northwest University to train for their calling. He believes in our mission and in the way we fulfill it.
When multiple generations of a family keep choosing a college, something good is going on there. I hope you’ll take time to watch Dave’s testimony on the impact of Northwest University on his family. We are grateful for their ongoing trust and for the new families that keep joining ours every year as we remain a Jesus-first university focused on our True North.