tmhblue

Several times EDGE has had the honor of Kent participating in the commissioning of our overseas teams. These are services we hold at St. Anthony. A few weeks ago the Romania team knelt at the prayer rail and Kent touched everyone with anointing oil. It ran down our foreheads, its scent filling our nostrils. D.E. Adams played hymns. Kent prayed over each of us. He held my head. I held his hand. There were tears. A history of all God had been doing over the years in this ministry. So many times we had voiced our wonder and celebration to one another. We had been amazed and blessed and were living in it - even in that moment.

He was intentional to welcome we "EDGE OUTREACH cohorts" to worship. Over time, we began peeking in and participating and simply recognizing God's presence as it resonates in that massive chamber. All the while, voices lift in song and chant and prayer and hope to resound off limestone and tile and marble and oak - I am warmed thinking of it. I miss my friend walking up and down the center isle to speak the story of faith that echoed in his own life. This Ash Wednesday I remembered last year the mark he put on my forehead then.

I pray my words may give some tribute to a man that changed my life, tweaked my perspective and gathered my heart. Over the years, most every time I saw him he would inadvertently direct my focus and my memory in a simple phrase. To hear from his own lips once more, "Keep the Faith, Brother." May we all!

Here's to the Journey, Kent. And . . . to finishing that which has been started.
You are loved,
Mark



 

frkentwords
Mark Hogg, executive director of EDGE OUTREACH tells us —

How The Mission House came to be....

I remember a phone call to Fr. Kent some 3 1/2 years ago - out of the blue and from me, a stranger. I had been told he was relatively new to the parish so I asked if he had "heard" of the Mega Worship services we had at St. Anthony in the early 1990's. A risky question because we had gathered some 800 teenagers there twice for a pumpin', thumpin' worship experience and I hoped the memory was positive in the parishioners' minds. Almost immediately he responded, "Yes, and I've been told the people were left with a good taste in their mouths."

Well, with an opening like that I began my pitch to inquire about the old convent building and the possibility of bringing in a mission team to stay there while working on projects around Louisville. Lunch at Jay's the next week over chicken and fish began a good friendship and the working out of the first 'project' which was the seed that launched the incredible ministry of The Mission House itself.

Kent intrigued me with his trusting heart, his willingness and his openness. Visionaries are like that, though. He saw the "big picture," imagined the possibilities and was expectant to see what God was going to do in the midst of it. St. Anthony Catholic Church and EDGE OUTREACH together were meant to partner and dream together.

I am not sure Kent nor I had any idea where we were being led. I have never been a part of something like The Mission House and I don't think he had either. Teams from all over the country were ready to come here - God was doing something in their lives too! There were times Kent would drop in and see the teams, pray over them or eat a sandwich with them. The EDGE staff would hear about it all week long. It meant so much. He truly saw the energy and the desire and the heart of each visitor and wanted to bless and encourage them in any way he could.

Our partnership is not just a neat "thing" but perhaps even a movement Kent chose to be invested in personally. I would hear his affirmation of ideas and plans and hopes and dreams as much more than, "sure, you can do that." It would be better translated into, "Yes, LET'S do that!" Our work together was a true effort to bring ourselves, our faith, the people of EDGE OUTREACH and the people of St. Anthony into the place of actually "doing" something different. St. Anthony and EDGE OUTREACH are in for a long haul of life changing stories, work, hospitality and a passion for people.

Kent moved me deeper, too - in my spirit. These last months our conversations began to center more about life and balance and serving and grace. We had just scratched the surface. I have much to learn.