Fellowship Youth Pastor Kelly

Knows Meaning of Leadership

 

The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.

                        -Kenneth Blanchard

 

Fellowship Church Youth Pastor Kelvin Kelly goes above and beyond and shows what being a great leader really means.

 

Kelly became youth pastor at the church three years ago, and since he accepted the position he has used his past experience to lead the church’s young adults along the path to greater success.

 

“He has done such a great job here.   I really respect and admire Kelvin,” said Paul Downing, the Pastor at Fellowship Church. “He has not only been an asset to our church but to the whole community.”  

 



Continuing Lessons

In college, Kelly was a record breaking track star and he believes his coach John McDonald taught him more than just athletics.   “He took track, which is typically an individual sport, and he turned it into a team sport; and a successful team sport at that.”

 

Kelly uses what McDonald passed on to him in his ministry work.   “Just like every athlete in a sport, every teenager that I work with is different; but we are all united for the greater good of the group for a specific goal,” said Kelly.   “I often share with our young people that it does take drive, passion and sometimes even pain to become successful.”

 

After college, sports continued to play a role in Kelly’s life.   Eventually he got into ministry work.   Since he was such a tremendous athlete, Zachary High quickly recruited him to help with their sports teams.   Being a coach earns a certain respect, which, in Kelly’s case coaching led to trust.   Since starting at Zachary High, Kelly has become a mentor to many students there.

 

Father figures

“I think that all of the father figures in my life influenced me to become involved in youth ministry.   I’ve been blessed to have someone there for me at all key steps of my life, and they have all helped me to be a better man. I really appreciate that.   So I try to be sort of a father figure to the young people I work with,” he said.

 

It is not all fun and games at the youth ministry at Fellowship.   Kelly believes that “you have to tell the truth to gain trust, even if the truth hurts.”   But he stresses the idea that God loves the things you dislike about yourself most.  

 

“I also try to pass on a good real-life lesson that my mom taught me,” said Kelly. “She taught me how to suffer, and how to walk out and not be burned.”

 

Remain Faithful

Kelly said the most important thing he hopes the kids take from this lesson is that you have to remain faithful all the time; especially when what you want to quit most.

 

 He lives this daily.   “I lost my house in Hurricane Gustav, but I wanted to stay in this area.   I am so glad I did.   It has been so interesting to see how everyone’s lives have played out since the storm.”

 

Kelly has produced great leaders from his youth group, including Zachary High football captains and outstanding baseball players.   One of them has even become the president of the Board of Directors of Fellowship Church.  

 

“I believe that God will complete what we start, and it’s amazing to see the young people I work with growing and succeeding,” he said.  “Their influence on me has been tremendous.”