Rev. Gerritt W. (Kenyon) Kenyon

Reverend Gerritt Winfield Kenyon, 92, of Millville, NJ, has entered the presence of his loving Saviour, having been preceded by his wife, Anita, of 63 years, who passed away 6 years ago. He died peacefully in his home on November 7, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

Born May 9, 1931, in Elmira Heights, NY, to Reverends Nelson and Eleanor Kenyon, Pastor Kenyon attended several primary schools as his family moved to plant over 35 new churches around the region. He attended Central Bible Institute in Springfield, MO, from 1949-1954, receiving a BA in Theology. While there, he met the love of his life and lifelong partner in ministry, a daughter of missionaries born in China, Anita Osgood. They served as New Jersey District ordained ministers, with Pastor Kenyon recently celebrating 67 years of ordination.

After pastoring in Hamburg, NJ, for three years, where Pastor Kenyon hosted a 6 a.m. daily broadcast, Pastor and Sister Kenyon arrived together to fill in preaching at The Gospel Lighthouse on High Street, in Millville, NJ, on Memorial Sunday, 1957. They were asked to stay for six months. Pastor and Sister Kenyon took leadership of the church that became Millville First Assembly of God, building the new church facility at 1700 Wheaton Avenue, with the largest sanctuary in the Northeast at the time of building, and pastoring together for the next 51 years, utilising their significant giftings to bless everyone who knew them.

From his ministry base at Millville First Assembly, Pastor Kenyon conducted over 13,000 services, dedicated more than 370 babies, baptised 800 people, and officiated over 600 weddings. While he ministered to people during their most joyous occasions, he was there at their lowest moments, having made over 35,000 hospital visits to comfort and pray for the sick and officiating nearly 3,000 funerals. He has continued these ministries even after retirement and up until his last days.

Over the years, Pastor Kenyon completed countless certifications and reciprocated his learning and expertise by teaching innumerable seminars and trainings. He loved and served his community and filled leadership positions as a religious and civic community leader. He served as New Jersey District Assemblies of God Southern Sectional Presbyter, District Parliamentarian, District Men’s Ministries Director, and Royal Ranger Commander, having helped launch the program for boys district wide.

Pastor Kenyon took pride in his appointment as Police and Fire Chaplain of Millville Police and Fire Departments since 1978, Red Cross Board of Directors for 13 years, including Chapter Chairman, Millville Ministerial Association member for more than 60 years, including as President and officer for 7 years, and many other city, county, and state advisory leadership boards, receiving many awards and commendations at every level.

In his spare time, Pastor Kenyon enjoyed photography, even building his own dark room, journalism and writing, music as a trombone player and vocalist, radio production, and boating on his 50’ yacht with family and friends.

His final years were filled with the joy of pastoring the Seniors For Life group as Pastor Emeritus of Millville First Assembly of God, hosting his weekly radio show “Music that Matters” on WSJN, attending Millville High School Football games as he acted as Chaplain for the first Thunderbolt team, visiting those in the hospital, serving as Chaplain for the Millville Racetrack, and fundraising and building Timothy’s Abode in Catamayo, Ecuador, a training centre for Ecuadoran missionaries, with his missionary daughter Esther and son-in-law, Dr Ron.

He leaves a legacy of family who follow in his footsteps and numerous more who know Jesus as their Saviour because of him. He is survived by his four children: Son, Dr Howard and Kim of Salem, OR, and their four children Robert, Fr Stephen, Revs Hope and Michael Gonzalez and Hannah; Son, Rev. Wesley and Rev. Becky of Wyckoff, NJ, and their children Revs Gerritt and Tara and great-grandsons Malachi and Titus, Justin and Kelly and great-grandchildren Micah and Makayla; Daughter, Rev Esther and Dr Ron Marcotte of Catamayo, Ecuador; and Daughter, Rev Sharon and Rev Tom Baldwin of Hamburg, NY, and their children Rev Anita and Josh; as well as his brother Rev Paul Kenyon of Florida, and Evelyn and Rev Jack Wise of Tampa, FL. Over his 71 years as a pastor, he sent out many pastors and missionaries all over the world, many from his own family. There are currently 28 ordained ministers, men and women, in the Kenyon-Osgood legacy.

Viewing will take place at Millville First Assembly of God, 1700 Wheaton Ave, Friday, November 10, from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm and Saturday, November 11, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Funeral service will begin at 10:00 am. The service will be live-streamed at the following links: www.facebook.com/millvilleassembly or http://youtube.com/@millvilleassembly7435. Interment will follow the service at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Millville, NJ. Memories and condolences may be shared with Rev. Kenyon’s family on the tribute wall.

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