The news surrounding Pastor Kenny Baldwin has grieved me deeply. According to publicly reported court documents, Pastor Baldwin has been arrested and is accused of sending sexually explicit images to a teenage boy in central Pennsylvania. If these allegations are true, they represent a profound moral failure and a complete disqualification from pastoral ministry according to the qualifications set forth in Scripture (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9). There is no place in ministry for predators.
I take absolutely no pleasure in writing these words.
Some will undoubtedly be upset that I am addressing this publicly. However, when the alleged sin involves a nationally known preacher whose ministry has influenced thousands of churches and young people, pretending nothing has happened is not an act of love. It is a greater failure to cover our eyes and hope the pain simply disappears. The young people who looked up to him deserve better than silence. They deserve biblical counsel. They deserve to be reminded that while men may fail, Jesus Christ never will.
I trusted Brother Kenny to preach to my own children on multiple occasions. At one time, he was one of my son’s favorite preachers. Those are not easy words for me to write.
Today, as I searched his name on Facebook, I found countless old posts from people expressing how much his preaching had helped them over the years. I have already personally heard of two young people who are in genuine crisis, struggling to process what they have learned. Their confusion is understandable. When someone you admired falls so publicly, it can shake your confidence and leave you wondering whether anything you believed is real. That is precisely why I wanted to write tonight.
If you are one of those young people, or anyone wrestling with disappointment because of this tragedy, hear the words of the Lord Jesus: “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Those words were never dependent upon the faithfulness of a preacher. They rest upon the faithfulness of Christ Himself.
Your faith was never meant to rest upon Kenny Baldwin. Nor upon me. Nor upon your pastor. Nor upon your favorite conference speaker. Our faith rests upon the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews chapter one reminds us that while men change, Christ does not. Speaking of the Son, the Bible declares, “And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment… But thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail” (Hebrews 1:10–12).
The man you admired has changed. Jesus Christ has not. Do not allow the collapse of a man to become the collapse of your faith. If your confidence was built upon personality, charisma, or gifted preaching, this painful moment is calling you back to a firmer foundation. Build your life upon Christ Himself.
The Apostle Paul warned against attaching ourselves to personalities. The believers at Corinth had begun dividing themselves over their favorite preachers. Some claimed Paul. Others Apollos. Others Cephas. Paul’s answer was simple: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). Every preacher is only a man, and the best of men are only men at best. Jesus Christ alone deserves your complete confidence.
Parents, let me encourage you as well. If your children have been influenced by Brother Baldwin’s ministry, do not assume they are mature enough to process this alone. They may be confused. They may be angry. They may even begin questioning things they once believed. This is not the time for silence.
Pray for those who have been victimized. Pray for families whose hearts have been shattered. Pray for churches trying to navigate the grief and confusion that follows such devastating news. And pray that God would raise up faithful shepherds who love Christ more than they love themselves.
Above all, lift your eyes higher than any preacher. Men may fail, but Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). He is still worthy.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2).
About The Author
I loved the article about keeping your eyes on The Lord Jesus Christ, but absolutely very saddened by Kenny Baldwin’s arrest and allegations! I have listened to his preaching many times over the years and even shared them. Very powerful preacher! Your article is absolutely 💯 percent spot on. Prominent preachers should be held to a higher standard, but like any man, they are capable of any such gross sins. Praying for those affected 🙏 😔 😢
Thank you brother Randy.
Very sad
Great article! Kenny preached to my children and to my wife and I as well.
This is why the Apostle Paul gives us a stern warning in
I Corinthians 10:12 that says: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
Non of us on our own are able to stand! We need to keep our eyes firmly planted on Christ Jesus! We need to have a prayer partner to also help us keep our eyes on Jesus!
Peter climbed out of the boat with his eyes firmily planted on Christ! It wasn’t until he started to look aroud at the waves that he started to sink. The key factor is that he took his eyes off Jesus!
I couldn’t believe my ears and eyes. I said noooo so many times and my stomach flipped. I contacted my pastor and he talked with me for a lil bit, I went to prayer for the young man and his family, all the young people that are affected, his wife and sons too. Then for him. I am in disbelief, and very sad. Thank you pastor for your wise words and I pray the right words come for your children and peace over you and everyone affected.
I was shocked to hear such on an instagram post. I heard him several years ago at New Manna Campmeeting. I enjoyed his message. I know that he is a human just like everyone else, but it’s so heartbreaking for the ones that really looked up to him. I hope and pray that people find peace and comfort during such a time. I also hope and pray that people will not turn their backs on his family and put them down for something that they had no contol over.