Carol's Blog

Defining Measurements of Success

By Carol Kent

God has a purpose and a plan for the gifts and dreams He’s given to us. But—have you ever wondered how to measure the success of your ministry?  It’s tempting for us to look at other Christians who appear to have large ministries, bestselling books, popular podcasts, large social media numbers, and multiple speaking engagements. …

Clarity & Focus: Following His Call

By Carol Kent

I was baffled.  As a young adult, how would I ever figure out what to say “yes” to and what to say “no” to?  I passionately loved Jesus and wanted to follow His call anywhere He wanted to send me and to do whatever work would further His Kingdom, but I couldn’t figure out the…

Productivity—Ministry that Produces Results

By Carol Kent

Most of my life has been lived in a hurry. As the firstborn of six preacher’s kids it was my responsibility to help on multiple levels—with caring for younger siblings, volunteering for jobs at church, filling in when Bible teachers were absent, organizing events, praying for individuals who were hurting—and on and on. I was…

The Unexpected Surprise

By Carol Kent

Over the past two decades of my son’s incarceration, I’ve learned that my toughest time of the year is during the Christmas holidays. It may have to do with the colorful decorations in stores, or the lighted trees in yards, or the upbeat seasonal songs on the radio, or with the envy I feel when the driveways on my street have extra cars parked out front for their family reunions—and Gene and I are going to the prison to spend the day behind the razor wire. We’ve been doing this long enough that I am fully aware that my malaise begins early in December and lasts for a full month. I can put on a plastic smile and appear “fine,” but I’m not.

Harnessing the Power of Creativity

By Carol Kent

The emcee was exceptionally funny. I was seated in the audience at a large convention, and the opening ceremonies established a circus theme, complete with clowns, helium balloons, popcorn, and a live elephant. The huge jungle animal thundered down the central aisle, causing a major stir on the main floor of the convention center.  Immediately…

Collaboration: Working Together

By Carol Kent

Long before I knew God was calling me to speak or write, I collected quotations.  I thoroughly enjoy concise, wise, pithy, or poignant sentences that summarize a topic, issue, or principle.  As we think about collaboration, consider these important words:             “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”  Helen Keller…

Planning that Produces Results

By Carol Kent

My mind was whirling, and I sensed that the Holy Spirit was stirring up “creative restlessness.”  I had learned earlier to pay attention when that happened by studying God’s Word, praying for wisdom and discernment, listening to the wise counsel of godly people, and then moving forward by making a plan of action to move…

Thanksgiving Message from Gene, Carol, & Jason Kent

By Carol Kent

My hopes were high!  Following more than two decades of incarceration, we were praying for a favorable response to Jason’s application for a commutation of his sentence to a set number of years.  That might have been a sentence of 35 or 40 years, instead of life without the possibility of parole, but since he…

Jason Kent—A Time to Pray

By Carol Kent

Greetings from Lakeland, Florida!  We’ve all had a challenging year with the pandemic, the election, and all the changes we’ve experienced in life and ministry. And yet, because of Jesus, we have HOPE! Many of you have faithfully prayed for our son for the over twenty-one years of his incarceration. This has been a difficult…

The Blessings of a Tough Year

By Carol Kent

This morning I opened my Bible and considered the shepherds.  “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said.…