We Salute Rev. Dr. D. James Kennedy, Chrisitan Warrior and Evangelist

It is with heavy hearts that we learn of D. James Kennedy's promotion to Eternity. Dr. Kennedy was a Pastor, a Teacher, an Evangelist, a Patriot, and a Christian Activist par excellence. When God called him into the ministry, he was an Arthur Murray dance instructor. From there, Dr. Kennedy went on to become one of the most highly educated, gifted and respected Christian ministers of our time. Under his leadership, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church grew from 45 members to a mega church of 10,000 members. He hosted one of the most interesting and informative Christian television programs, the Coral Ridge Hour. He founded Knox Theological Seminary, Westminster Christian Academy, and the D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship in Washington D.C. He is most widely known for his Evangelism Explosion and Reclaiming America programs.

I have always wondered what the "D" in D. James Kennedy stood for. One of the news articles about his passing revealed that the D. stood for Dennis.

Dr. Kennedy preached his last sermon on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2006. December 28, 2006, Dr. Kennedy suffered a heart attack. Complications related to the heart attack prevented him from returning to active ministry. Early Wednesday morning, Dr. Kennedy died in his sleep. Prior to his death, Dr. Kennedy spoke of Heaven stating that he would be happy to leave this life, which he called the land of the living dying, and that he looked forward to going on to Heaven, which he called the land of those who were really, really living.

The New York Family Policy Council salutes Dr. Kennedy. We thank him for the wonderful work he did while he was with us. He is greatly missed by all those who knew him and by those who have benefited from his wide reaching ministries. We look forward to being reunited with him in Heaven. In the meanwhile, we pray for the God of all Comfort to minister to Anne Kennedy and Jennifer Kennedy Cassidy, his wife and his daughter, and to all those who mourn Dr. Kennedy's passing.

Shalom~~~