Kent Kiefer is the CEO & Executive Director of Scriptures in Use (SIU). He has over 20 years of International Ministry experience; in his eighth year with SIU, and previously four years with a faith-based International Missions’ Sending Agency (“ABWE”) and eight years with a faith-based International Parachurch ministry (“Focus on the Family”).
Kent has a heart and passion for “reaching the unreached” and believes strongly that the oral arts, communication bridges training approach designed specifically for the indigenous men and women of peace around the world is one of the most effective means to reach the nations with the Gospel.
Kent is widowed after his wife Melissa (“Missy”) was promoted into Glory in November ‘21 after a 14-year battle with Parkinsons Disease, and has four children (two college age and two teenagers). The Kiefers are involved with two local churches with the body of Christ in Southeast Tucson (“Grace Church of Sahuarita” and “Pantano Christian”).
Treasures in Heaven
/by Kent KieferLiving in the United States, I am consistently bombarded with advertisements about all the “things I’m missing out on that will make me and my life better.” Such as a recent TV commercial showing a person saving thousands on purchasing a new car for themselves vs. the neighbor next door who didn’t save that much while buying gifts for others.
That’s quite the message: Let’s just take care of ourselves with expensive toys and forget everyone else. What a sad, selfish perspective that penetrates our culture—and that way of thinking is opposite of what the Bible instructs.
The Power of “Story”
/by Kent KieferAt Christmas, more than any other time of year, storytelling plays a major role in our lives. Children never tire of hearing the age-old stories that make the Christmas season so special. And when we gather with family, we love sharing stories of Christmases past and the feeling of nostalgia that these stories bring. In my family …
Be an Unsung Hero
/by Kent KieferAre there any “unsung heroes” in your life? You know, those who have worked faithfully, persistently behind the scenes to help you become who you are today. Perhaps a teacher believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself. Or a coach encouraged you to strive for more. Or a family member took the time to help you achieve that impossible goal. In my own life….
Your Uniqueness and Courage to Act
/by Kent KieferDo you realize that God made you unique? Out of the 7.4 billion people currently alive on the earth (as well as the 108 billion or so who have lived and died before us) not one other human is (or has been) exactly like you. That uniqueness completely overwhelms my mind. It gives me a bigger perspective of how our creative and loving God has made each of us truly unique from the moment He designed us in our mother’s womb.
The Immeasurable Value of “Time”
/by Kent KieferSomeone asked me the other day what is the most precious asset I have? I responded with the answer “my time”. How I spend it and the relationships I build is what matters most to me.
Dancing and Singing to the Lord
/by Kent KieferThere were so many “Stories” of athletic perseverance, achievement, sacrifice and glory at the recent 2016 Summer Olympic Games held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, but one in particular caught my attention as it was both inspiring and also a great reminder of how our God designed us for singing and praising Him as a natural part of our lives.
A Gospel for the “common man/woman”
/by Kent KieferI get really frustrated when a leader gets too complex in describing a topic that can be explained in a much simpler way. I’m not sure if that comes from an attitude of “I know more than you” or the “pride” element associated with attaining human knowledge but it is something that I believe we all need to work on. Simpler is truly better.
Avoiding the Common Mistake of “Comparison”
/by Kent KieferWhy, as humans, do we have the tendency to compare the assets we have accumulated?
Story: God’s Provision and Perfect Timing
/by Kent KieferHave you ever experienced one of those times in your life’s story where you don’t know when or where your next meal or your next paycheck or next source of provision is going to come from?
When our Lord returns, will He find faith?
/by Kent KieferParable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8 NIV)
1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’