Our Pastor
Rev. Kenny Owen
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Rev. Owen was born on January 9th, 1947 in Williamston, S.C. to Luther and Catherine Owen. Rev. Owen was saved and baptized (at age 12) during Vacation Bible School at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Easley, S.C. He graduated from Wren High School in Piedmont, S.C. He met his future wife, Lynn Hammond, while attending Friendship Baptist Church in Anderson, S.C. They have 2 sons, Josh and Caleb and 3 grandchildren, Brody, Harley and Alyssah. |
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 Rev. Owen still operates his own construction company and spreads the gospel of Jesus everywhere he goes. He has many hobbies but his favorite (besides playing with his grandchildren) is his Harley Davidson motorcycle. |
Kenny, a brick mason by trade, was called to preach in 1976. After
graduating from Fruitland Bible College in 1979, he served as interim
pastor for 7 months at Friendship Baptist Church in Williamston, S.C.
and for 5 months at Bethel Baptist Church in Oakway, S.C. June 1982, he
was called to pastor Earle’s Grove Baptist Church by a 100%
membership vote and has been our pastor for 24 years.
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Most of the time you see Kenny, you see Sally, a black female Australian Shepherd. She is Kenny's faithful companion. Sally can often be seen on the church steps, along side Kenny, greeting everyone as they leave. Kenny has a special love for animals, especially dogs. |
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Kenny has just published his first book, "The Life and Times of Kenny, a Country Preacher". On the last page of this book, Kenny says, "I don’t know how my life will end but I do know where I’m going. Heaven is my last residence but for now I would love to continue to be at Earle’s Grove Baptist Church which is my home, which I dearly love. I was not born in Earle’s Grove, But I got here as soon as I could!" |
In 2001 Rev. Owen was voted Pastor of the Year in Oconee County and one of the church members wrote a poem in honor of the occasion.
APPRECIATING KENNY
Our Preacher!
In a hay field with a hundred farmers-
You couldn’t pick him out.
On a building site with fifty bricklayers-
You couldn’t spot him.
Loose in a cow pen
With a quarters worth of wranglers-
He fits right in,
Working again.
He’s all things to all people
In order to win some
To the cause of Christ.
But when it’s just you two,
There’s always three-
Our LORD’s there too.
When Kenny prays, angels sing.
Soon those calloused hands
Will help Jesus
Round us up and lead us home.
For twenty years Kenny and Lynn have labored
In the field at Earle’s Grove
Whatever it took to bring us home,
They’ve been here sharing God’s love.
But nothing lasts forever
And when the time comes to part,
We’ll leave with them some of us
Cut from grateful hearts.
If all the preachers in town were spit shined
And sitting in a trophy case,
Kenny wouldn’t be there.
He can’t stand still that long.
Besides the shine wouldn’t stick.
He’s our spiritual leader, friend,
Sometimes chauffeur, companion,
Encourager, instigator,
But above all he’s God’s servant.
Where he falls short
Lynn completes,
By God’s design.
CynthiaWinkler
1999