Kennon Vaughan
Founder and Executive Director
In February 2004, Kennon Vaughan knew he was called not just to "do the work of an evangelist," but also to train other believers to be disciplers and to aid ministries and para-church organizations across the country in implementing Biblical, multiplicative discipleship. He birthed Downline Ministries to fulfill this calling.
Kennon began speaking while in college at Auburn University and during his brief baseball career at Vanderbilt University. He has been motivating and equipping audiences across the nation for nearly a decade. Upon graduation he went into full-time youth ministry seeing first hand the need for and radical impact of discipleship in the life of every believer. An effective communicator with passion, charisma, and a solid foundation of Biblical knowledge, Kennon speaks powerfully to the mandate of Christ for every believer to make disciples. He also speaks to audiences on how to be an ambassador for Christ in other culturally relevant areas such as leadership, purpose, identity, and relationships.
After five years working as a youth minister, first in Missouri and then Tennessee, Kennon decided to further his training by studying for a year under author, teacher, and Pastor Tommy Nelson. Kennon currently is obtaining a Masters in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree in "Evangelism and Discipleship: Living and Leading the Great Commission" from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Since the inception of Dowline Ministries he has been able to sit down with many of today's great men of the faith such as Dr. s Howard Hendricks, John Hannah, Josh McDowell, Voddie Baucham, Tony Evans, Joe White, and John Piper and discuss the need for and lack of discipleship within the body of Christ today. Almost all of these men have enthusiastically agreed to come speak in their area of expertise at the Downline Institute.
Internationally, Kennon has traveled and studied in the Middle East, played baseball in South Africa with Campus Crusade's Athletes in Action, and led disicpleship training in China, Zambia, and El Salvador.
Kennon has embraced the opportunity to speak to audiences around the country during his tenure as a youth minister, seminary student, and now director of Downline Ministries. In addition to discipleship training and Bible teaching in the DownLine Institute and Old School programs of DownLine Ministries, he has served as the keynote speaker for events across the country, such as the 2005-06 city-wide "Fresh Vibe" in Houston, Texas, Fellowship of Christian Athletes' Texas and Southeast leadership camps, various high school and college campus outreach events, as well as numerous church and para-church retreats, conferences, and Disciple-now's. Kennon has also coached high school football and baseball over the past five years and is currently the team chaplain and a volunteer coach at Memphis University School.
Kennon welcomes and values opportunities to challenge, equip, and mobilize every generation toward serving passionately as ambassadors for Christ. Kennon, his wife Kathryn, and son Caleb reside in Memphis, TN.
"Kennon Vaughan is a gifted communicator. He is comfortable and confident as he speaks and is easy to follow. He shares his heart, uses good illustrations and solid points. He is winsome, articulate, and sincere."
- Joe White
President, Kanakuk Kamps
"Kennon has the rare God-given ability to minister both to the head and to the heart. His knowledge of the Scriptures and passion for Jesus is both compelling and contagious!"
- Bryan Loritts
Lead Pastor, Fellowship Bible Memphis
"Kennon is one of the most passionate young communicators I've heard in a long time. He speaks to the heart, and audiences love his practical, unpretentious messages. Many of the great young communicators of our day pull it off on stage but are lacking off stage...Kennon is terrific both on and off stage."
- Bob Swan
Minister to Students, Woodlands United Methodist Church, Woodlands, TX
"When Kennon speaks to young people, they listen. His genuine love attracts them, his passionate communication style holds their attention and the Spirit's power working through him brings results."
- Greg McKinnon
Director of Student Ministries at AUMC, Auburn, AL.
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