The Kenney Family - ABWE Missionaries to Philippines

Rev. Craig and Elaine, Joyce and Justine Kennedy

Field Address:
P.O. Box 320,
Greenhills 1502,
San Juan, RP
E-mail: nckennedy@abwe.cc

CRAIG AND ELAINE KENNEDY forwarded this bio to us in February 2003

Neil Craig Kennedy, born on January 30, 1948, grew up in Camillus, New York-just west of Syracuse. With a Methodist father, a Presbyterian grandmother and a Baptist mother, he was carried to the small First Baptist Church of Memphis, NY from the time he was born. But not until he was fourteen years of age did he realize his need of a Savior during evangelistic meetings with Rev. Kunnly at the church. Although Craig's initial desire was to attend a technical school, working with machines instead of people, his pastor, Dr. Frank Wasser, encouraged him to attend Baptist Bible Seminary in Johnson City, NY.

Elaine Joann Myers, born on February 20, 1949 on a farm in York County, Pennsylvania, was baptized as an infant in the Lutheran church. After her parents sought for the truth, they began attending a small Bible church and were grounded under the ministry of Rev. Arthur M. Bowser. Elaine trusted Christ as her Savior at age 8 or 9 while reading a Christian youth book
called, Polly and the Whispering Voice. Through the ministry of Rev. Whitaker and through God's grace, Elaine attended Baptist Bible Seminary.

Craig and Elaine met during their junior years at Baptist Bible Seminary (now, BBC). A year after graduation (1971), they were married on June 10, 1972. After a summer ministry at Camp Pamadeva, they interned part-time at an inner city church in Buffalo, NY with Rev. Kemmer. While searching the mind of God about full time ministry, they attended a mini-missionary conference with Dr. Harold Amstutz preaching at First Baptist Church in North Tonawanda. At that conference, God called Craig and Elaine into missions. At their candidate classes in 1974, they sensed God's call to the Philippines through a telegram from Bud DeVries requesting someone for lay training in Palawan. Pastor Orlan Wlihite encouraged them in their pre-field ministry days, and their sending church became the First Baptist
Church of North Tonawanda, NY.

The Kennedys arrived in the Philippines in 1977 with baby Jason. After a year of language learning, they transferred to Palawan, set up Theological Education by Extension (TEE) for the lay people of the churches, established a church in Bataraza, and assisted in several other church plants during missionaries' furloughs. Joyce was born during their first term and Justin during their first furlough. Before leaving Palawan, Craig and a Filipino pastor established a small Bible school in Palawan that is still training people for ministry.

In 1987, the Kennedy's transferred to Manila to begin a national lay-training program, linking the TEE program to the Bible school. They also assisted in a church-plant. Soon they began teaching part time at the Bible school, as well as handling many other responsibilities. In 1991-92, Craig was the Philippine Coordinator and the Business Administrator while serving on several Bible school boards and Faith Academy Board, and preaching at least once a month in a church. Their son, Jason, died of cancer on April 5, 1992. Craig also successfully completed his Master's degree (1993) in the Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary Extension Program while in ministry on the field. During furlough, Elaine received her certificate from the Institute of Children's Literature.

Besides organizing the national leadership training program and holding educational and administrative training seminars and teaching theology, Baptist history, and church administration at the Bible school, Craig was Boy Scout Master for Troop #357 from 1995-97, until their son Justin received his Eagles' Award. From 1999-2001, Craig served as chairman of the Board of Trustees at Faith Academy, the MK school from where two of their
children graduated. During 1999-2000, he again worked in the RP-ABWE Business office, and streamlined new methods for missionary finances. In 2000, Elaine published Baptist CENTENNIAL History of the Philippines and a Christian Education training manual (volume I for teachers of children).

Craig and Elaine continue their ministry in church planting in the Philippines through leadership development.

Our daughter Joyce Kennedy is presently serving the Lord in Beijing, China, where she has been since her graduation from BBC in Elementary Education. Justin Kennedy, a communication's major at BBC, is to get married August 2, 2003 to another MK (missionary kid), Nicole Ostman.

Craig and Elaine are teaching part-time at the Baptist Bible Seminary and Institute (BBSI), and Craig is preparing a "Baptist Roots" book for publication. Elaine is presently doing final editing on another Christian Education textbook on youth while teaching the same course at the Bible school. She is also working on her Master's in Religious Education degree.

MISSIONS INITIATIVE. Beginning 2001, Craig assisted fellow missionary Dr. Larry Alien in the development of a mission's training manual for Filipino professionals. Further development of this manual is needed to put it in portfolio style using an educational approach. We have become "mobilizers" for missions in helping Asians reach Asians. This involves stirring
Filipinos concern for the Asian world, such as we did in a Bible school mission's conference this past September 2002. By networking with the local fundamental Baptist churches of the Philippines, we assist them in training, preparation, and 'vision trips' for the professional Filipino. Armie Espagnola left for China August 2002, and others are also preparing to go.

In February 2003, we hosted Ed and Dorothy Woods for an ESL (English as a Second Language) training seminar in two major locations of the Philippines. As you can see, our ministry is varied and never boring. Along with regular ministry assignments, Craig holds a weekly discipleship Bible study for two persons.

In His glad service,