Wayne Kenyon

Wayne Edward Kenyon

May 16, 1936 - March 16, 2025

Reverend Wayne Edward Kenyon finished his earthly race on the afternoon of March 16, 2025. He was surrounded by family and slipped quietly from this life into the arms of his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

Wayne was a devoted Christ-follower. He strove to live his life in the manner described in the 12th chapter of the New Testament book of Hebrews: "Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith."

Born in rural western Kansas in 1936, Wayne's roots run deep on the farm his grandfather homesteaded in the 1800s. He grew up milking cows, driving a tractor, and riding his pony, Pinto, but the Lord called him into ministry, and he began preaching as early as age 14. After graduating from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, he left the farm to pursue theological studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and entered the pastorate, first in Methodist (later United Methodist) churches in Kansas and then in cross-cultural missions and non-denominational churches. He preached, pastored, and ministered for over 70 years, sharing the Good News in English and Spanish; North and South America; home groups, youth camps, country churches, and big city congregations; and even over Zoom to perform a wedding during COVID.

Wayne would likely have told you that marrying his sweetheart, Shirley Reed, in 1956 was his greatest accomplishment. In 69 years together, they reared four biological children and later added two more beloved daughters through foster parenthood. He had 15 grandchildren-many of whom learned handyman and woodworking skills in "G-pa's" workshop-and 19 great-grandchildren spread across the nation.

In 1972, Wayne and Shirley became cross-cultural missionaries and, with four of their children, moved to San Jose, Costa Rica for a year of Spanish language study. They were then posted to Guayaquil, Ecuador, where Wayne taught in the Interamerican Seminary and worked with local churches to spread the gospel. After a year in Guayaquil, the family moved to Quito, where Wayne worked in evangelism and church planting among the Quechua Indians of Ecuador's highlands.

The family returned to the Unites States in 1975, and Wayne served for several years at OMS Mission Headquarters in Greenwood, Indiana. He became the co-pastor of the Community Church of Greenwood and then, in 1981, he and Shirley moved to Arlington, Texas, where he became the pastor of Christ's Church (later Victory Fellowship). He retired in 2003 but soon joined the staff of Grace Community Church in Arlington, where he served as a counseling pastor until he "retired-retired" in 2022.

A celebration of Wayne's life will take place at Grace Community Church, 801 W Bardin Road, Arlington, TX, from 5:00-6:30pm on Sunday, April 6.