Single father in ministry: a second chance and a daughter’s servanthood
As a single father in ministry, Kevin Jett shares how God answered his prayer for peace after a devastating divorce and opened doors for him to return to preaching. He also describes how his daughter, Kasey, became a meaningful part of pastoral care and everyday service as they walked through hardship together.
- A prayer for peace marked a turning point after divorce and loss.
- God opened doors for a return to preaching and a second chance in ministry.
- Kasey’s compassion became an important part of pastoral care and servanthood.
By Kevin Jett
Eight years ago when I was preaching at First Christian Church in Mount Olivet, Kentucky, I went through a devastating divorce. In the span of a few months, I lost my job, my home, my wife, and I almost lost my sanity.
At age 31, I had to move back into my mother’s home. I thought I had lost everything. I did not even have a bed to sleep in. I felt like a complete failure. I had failed not only my heavenly father, but also my family and many friends who believed in me. I was a broken man.
Only two things got me up each morning: my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and my daughter Kasey, a beautiful blue-eyed angel.
Close to complete ruination, I started to pray more frequently. I have to admit at first I prayed for everyone but myself—I felt unworthy of asking God for anything. After several months, finally I prayed for God to give me peace. That prayer was answered almost immediately. I still did not know what to do with my life, but it seemed as if God was telling me everything would be all right.
Giving God a Chance
Then something unexpected happened. God started opening doors for me to return to ministry. As a Christian church minister, I knew a divorce oftentimes ends your ministry. How could a church hire me to preach if I was not sure I could do it again myself? I talked with a few of my mentors and they encouraged me to give God a chance to lead. I sent out a few resumes, sometimes wondering why I was even bothering. I figured the resumes would just be thrown into the trash. To my surprise I got a few calls, and I began to supply preach, which restored my joy. The First Christian Church in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, called me to be their minister. I was given a second chance, and I realized how fortunate I was. There were a few churches that passed on me, not because I was divorced but for fear a single father would not have the time to be an effective minister. Truth is, I had those same doubts myself.
Taking Kasey Along
The best way I could do both was to include Kasey in my ministry. This was done at first by accident. My 5-year-old daughter went everywhere I went. She loved visiting with people, which is my ministry strength thanks to the late Ard Hoven, my teacher and friend.
I am not sure I explained to Kasey in the early years that pastoral care is work. One of her teachers told me students were in a discussion about what their parents did for a living. Kasey proudly told the class that her dad was a preacher. When asked what he did, she responded, “He is a minister—he doesn’t do anything.”
When she started to grow up she started to understand better what her daddy did. She was so wonderful with the elderly people. Kasey loved to hug people and share her life with them. I realized Kasey was a vital part of my ministry.
One Christmas I received a bonus from the church and Kasey wanted to know more about “our bonus check.” I said, “Our bonus check?”
She said, “Yes, I am an important part of this ministry too, you know.” She was exactly right.
She knew I loved to cook meals for people. She loved to go with me and take the meals to the various families. She was a great comfort in the home, hospital, nursing homes, and even at funerals. I tried to shield her from certain things and settings, but sometimes things just happened.
On one occasion, a close friend in my church died of liver cancer. My friend Holly was only 41 when she passed. I had been to her house earlier in the day for a visit. Late that same night I was called back to the home after Holly died.
I was going to take Kasey to a neighbor’s home because of the lateness of the hour, but Kasey said, “No, Daddy, I am going. I have to be there for Kayla.” Holly’s teenage daughter was Kasey’s friend. I was so proud of Kasey.
One of Kasey’s favorite things to do was go to the hospital with me to see new babies. Kasey had taken up crocheting and would make blankets for the new babies. She would carefully pick the material and color for the baby depending on whether it was a boy or girl. Once again, as a father I felt proud.
Passing the Passion for Servanthood
Being a minister and a single father is hard at times, but I believe it has made me more understanding of the world we live in. I love to serve the Lord and people in general. I wish Kasey, now 14, had a biblical two-parent home, but that was not possible.
The truth is my passion for servanthood has been passed on to my daughter. While so many people saw my situation as a weakness, God saw it as an opportunity.
Kasey was right all along. Not about me being a preacher and not doing anything. The fact is that she is and always will be an important part of my ministry.
Kevin G. Jett serves as senior minister with Mortons Gap (Kentucky) Christian Church.
