 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. 1 Kings 10:6-7
The verses above could very well be my sentiments the last 3 days of being around Pastor Kevin Conner.
One of the first things you will notice about him is his demeanor that spells humility all around. For a man who has written more than 50 books and is probably one of the most sought after theologians of our time he embodied the words of Proverbs 11:2b "...with humility comes wisdom." I went home and prayed "God please give me this kind of humilty, gosh do I need it".
The next day Steve Murrell, Paolo Punzalan and his daughter and I had dinner with Pastor Kevin during the break. At close range he is the epitome of health and life predicated by a sharp and alert mind. At 81 years old he was tireless. He preached 2 services on Sautrday, 2 on Sunday and spoke for 3 days from 1:30 - 4:00 PM, and resumed from 6:15 to 8:15. I couldn't help but wonder how he navigates airports, flights, hotels, conference halls at his age. Simply amazing. How could this be?
I asked him "What's the secret?" His answer in one word "Discipline". He explained that there were 7 disicplines he lived by, the first of which he cautioned if you miss this one you probably won't get the rest. The discipline of time. He proceeded to mention the 6 others: prayer, word, mind, exercise, lifestyle (food, sleep, etc) and attitude.
Equally interesting was when he and Steve Murrell would exchange thoughts and ideas about life, ministry and the future. At certain moments it was surreal. The exchange of wisdom and mutual admiration of these 2 men from 2 different generations was quite a sight.
My 21 year old son Joshua went to one of the afternoon sessions during a break from his class, when I got home that evening he could not stop talking about the endless revelations he got from sitting for an hour. Interestingly Pastor Kevin at 81 connected with him. Joshua was not just mpressed - he was moved. Over dinner he shared some of the most fascinating revelations he got to his brother. Several times he asked something like: "Pop is he for real?"
After dinner I showed the family some of Pastor Kevin's books that sit on the shelf in front of my study. These books have become a reference to me over the years. Many of them have been the basis of many of my messages without probably even realizing them anymore as they have been so ingrained in me.
I thank God for men like Kevin Conner who have trailblazed a life of ministry that shines brightly before us, I can only hope that I can have the same passion and love for God that is so evident when he teaches.
My last meal with him was at lunch today - at this point you just sit and listen and take in yet even more wisdom - Marie and I were immersed.
Thank you Pastor Kevin, may God grant you many, many more years of frutifulness as you bless the coming generations!
PS: Thank you Pastor Sam Webb for introducing him to us - still remember the first time Marie and I had dinner with you and the Conners - we were awestruck and still are.
 | Wow!!! I really can't wait to listen to the podcast of all his sessions!!! |
 | punzalan wrote on Mar 6, edited on Mar 6 Disicpline of...
1. time.
2. prayer
3. word
4. mind
5. exercise
6. lifestyle (food, sleep, etc)
7. attitude.
Great wisdom! He should write another book on these. |
 | Wow, that's so inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing. Will the podcasts be made available from the Victory website? |
 | Just imagining if we have a grandpa or uncle with us at home like him. Wow! What a scenario in a house. A home that is filled with wisdom , humilty and discipline!
The true meaning of brilliant: At 81, P. Kevin Conner is such!!
This verse really applies to him: So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (KJV of Ps. 90:12)
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 | Great insights. I feel bad not having been able to catch leader lectures this year. can't wait till the dvd comes out.
are his books being sold locally? |
 | wendygep wrote on Mar 6, edited on Mar 6  I can only hope that I can have the same passion and love for God that is so evident when he teaches.  Other than the Disciplines...the abounding passion and love for God...may these be evident in all of us, even when I'm in same maturing age..(i know some at the age of 60 and above, their passion living for and loving God has grown stale) Kevin Conner's life is so inspiring! |
 | grateful for godly men..you guys help my hubby become a better man. :-) |
 | I memorized his sunday sermon "One Thing & the Main Thing" plus "the Sad Thing" and taught it by heart to my Monday morning small group and also shared it with my thursday bible-licious group. I was ushering and I didn't have a pen so I could not take notes but somehow his message was crystal clear, concise and said with passion and sincerity so it stays in your heart ... Pastor Kevin is awesome!!! |
 | when he arrived, a team from fort picked him up from the airport, waited for us at SM sucat where we "made the exchange" (ehehehe) and then we drove through traffic straight to Alabang so that pastor Kevin could preach. A few hours after landing, there he was at the pulpit . It's obvious that he made One thing the Main thing in his life. 2 things I admire about him:
1. his voracious appetite for the Word
2. his 81 minus 14 years walking with the Lord and still having fresh fire for God.
I think... and this is just a guess... maybe #1 has a lot to do with #2... |
 | I think... and this is just a guess... maybe #1 has a lot to do with #2... its the difference between internal and external. Faith, hope and love are internal - Discipline is external. The internal is eternally more important than the external - but without the external it does not translate very well into the natural. which is why you find very few 81 year olds who are passionate about God, His Word, are healthy, think clearly, have a good attitude and come on time.
67 years has taught him that God was serious about the word discipline - he said every letter in the word disciple is found in the word discipline. theologians like him know that when God mentions a word in succession in several verses that word must be very important - as in holy, holy, holy.
There is no other word that has been mentioned 10 times in 7 verses in succession in scripture apart from the word discipline (disciplined, disciplines) which by way starts from the internal love - "because the Lord discplines those whom he loves and punishes (external) everyone he accepts as a son."
67 years of trying different things has taught this man that there are just some things that work and things that don't. reading your bible, praying, exercising your brain, body , eating right, having a good attitude needs discipline - and it starts with discipine of time - Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
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 | What a man of God, and such insight. Amazing! I wonder if there are 'disciples' of Kevin Connor? Where/who might they be? To sit and learn from such a Jesus lover....must be 'awesome'. By reading your blog, I cant help but be 'awe-stricken'. Thanks for blogging about him. Kevin Connor is definitely someone to be emulated. God Bless him more. |
 | Hi Pastor Joey! I always enjoy reading your blog! Could you expound on the what he said about the 7 disciplines? That's very interesting. :) |
 | Where can I buy his book entitled "Foundations of Christian Doctrine"? I really enjoyed his preaching last week, it was so powerful! I also found Kevin York good when I attended yesterday's Leadership Group meeting! I feel so blessed to have such wise and godly mentors/teachers in our Church, and that includes you as well Ptr. Joey! |
 | Thank you so much Ptr.Kevin Conner! Im really encourage with your life and really admire your wisdom in everything - Word and Discipline.. |
 | Your picture reminds me of Dr. Emmett Brown and Marty McFly of Back to the Future... these are two people committed to change next generation for Jesus Christ... |
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