Dr. James Kilkenny

James Vail Kilkenny was born in Portland, Oregon on April 26,1937 to James Bernard and Marjorie (Schlatter) Kilkenny. He was the brother of Kathleen Kilkenny-Moon, Mickey Damon, Ann Rothe, Pat Kilkenny, Tim Kilkenny, and the late Barney Kilkenny. In addition to Barbara, his beloved wife of 39 years, he is survived by his five sons—Jamie Kilkenny of Kona, Hawaii; John Kilkenny of Kona, Hawaii; Daniel Kilkenny of Pleasanton, CA; Marty Kilkenny of Davis, CA; and Robert Kilkenny of Tyler and his six daughters—Marta Morando of Santa Barbara, CA; Agnes Kilkenny of Tyler; Alina Shipman of Lindale; Joan Kilkenny of Tyler; AmyKatherine Kilkenny of Tyler; and Joana Ahn of Tyler. He was blessed with twenty-five grandchildren who brought great joy to his heart. In 1978, after years as a public school teacher, Mr. Kilkenny joined the international mission agency Youth With A Mission, confident that his days in the classroom were over. However, scarcely a year passed when he and Mrs. Kilkenny (also a former teacher) understood that God was directing them back to the classroom. Their call? Establish a Christian school, a school dedicated to building faith by laying God’s Word as the foundation of all teaching. Obedient to God’s voice, the Kilkennys founded Christian Heritage School (CHS) in 1979. Convinced that God’s truth had power—power to transform individuals and nations, Mr. Kilkenny launched Teachers for the Nations, a training school to equip teachers who would serve at CHS and who would start Christian schools internationally. Christian Heritage School provided the place where these teachers-in-training would gain valuable experience by working with classroom teachers. The school began in 1980—with two students! Undeterred, Mr. Kilkenny faithfully obeyed God’s call and patiently sowed the seeds of His truth. He sowed them again and again. And God gave the increase. More than 400 came from 40 nations. They sat the feet of this master teacher and learned about the fear of the Lord. They witnessed the power of humility and beheld the beauty of mercy. They experienced the love of a father and received the kindness of a friend. And what of the hundreds who came? They are starting schools, planting churches, strengthening families, discipling children, and training more teachers. The hundreds are reaching thousands, many thousands around the world. All this because Mr. Kilkenny was a humble man who gave himself unreservedly to do the will of God. “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:40 IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, YOU MAY SEND A CONTRIBUTION TO YOUTH WITH A MISSION, P.O. BOX 3000, GARDEN VALLEY, TX 75771. MAKE YOUR CHECK PAYABLE TO YWAM AND INCLUDE A SEPARART NOTE ON WHICH YOU DIRECT YOUR GIFT AS FOLLOWS: THE KILKENNY FAMILY AND/OR THE JAMES KILKENNY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND.

Dr. James Kilkenny

April 26, 1937 - January 28, 2016