Wikipedia Biography / Profile Background
Introduction :
- Pastor Ken Whitten is a respected American pastor and national leader within the Southern Baptist Convention. With a strong local and global presence, he is known for his successful leadership within the church and his significant influence in the Tampa community.
- Since 1989, Ken has faithfully served as a pastor, dedicating himself to the spiritual growth and well-being of his congregation.
Personal Life, Parents and Family Details :
- Ken is the youngest child of his parents, Casey and Elsie Whitten’s six children. His father passed away at the age of 86 in 2004, and his mother is 94 years old (age as of 2024).
- Pastor Whitten’s parents, despite their modest backgrounds, had a profound impact on his life. His mother, an intercessor, instilled in him the habit of daily Bible reading, while his father taught him the importance of tithing. Their commitment to church and their humble but rich spiritual perspective shaped Ken’s love for Jesus, and the church. Sundays and Wednesdays were non-negotiable church days, and even popular shows like “Wizard of Oz” were missed due to the family’s commitment to faith.
- For over 27 years, Ken has been married to his wife, Ginny Whitten. They have four children named Tara, Andrew, Kimberly, and Philip, who are all Christians and actively serve and follow Jesus. Ken and Ginny also have 13 grandchildren.
- Ken values his family and acknowledges his wife’s crucial role in raising their children. He ensures that he prioritizes family time and supports his children in their activities and events.
- Ken’s Uncle Archie Grigg played a significant role in his life, teaching him to love Jesus and serving as his pastor. At the age of 7, Ken recognized his sinfulness and the need for a Savior. He holds deep gratitude for his uncle’s care and continues to cherish their relationship.
Early Life and Education :
- In 1976, Whitten graduated from Eastern Illinois University, where he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in education.
- Ken is a former Eastern Illinois University Panthers baseball player, transitioned from pitching on the mound to delivering sermons from the pulpit. He played baseball for the 1976 squad that finished third in the NCAA Division II Midwestern Regional Tournament. Despite being cut from the team during his rookie season, he remained involved as the manager and batting practice pitcher with the goal of coaching college baseball. While he no longer plays baseball, Whitten finds success in delivering sermons and sees the Bible as his most significant tool.
Church Sermons, Salary and Net Worth :
- From 1982 to 1989, Pastor Whitten had the honor of serving with the Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Whitten regarded Dr. Adrian Rogers as his spiritual father.
- For several decades, Ken Whitten had served as the church leader at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida. Under his leadership, the church grew from 1,500 to 10,000 members. The church is currently located on a 140-acre site with a $17 million budget, 22 associate pastors, 200 staff members, and 450,000 sq ft of building space. The church can accommodate up to 7,000 parishioners.
- Pastor Ken enjoyed mentoring aspiring pastors and has been influenced by the late Reverend Adrian Rogers. During his 30+ years of service at Idlewild, Ken facilitated the establishment of five new churches, overseen two campus expansions, and welcomed around 14,000 new members.
- During his 30+ years as Senior Pastor of Idlewild, Pastor Whitten has had the privilege of going on missions with God to West Africa, Brazil, China, the Dominican Republic, England, and Guatemala.
- In a report by the Florida Baptist Convention on February 9, 2023, the role of national director of pastor leadership at NAMB (North American Mission Board) was taken on by Ken Whitten. After retiring as the pastor of Florida’s Idlewild Baptist Church, Ken was appointed to this position during the NAMB Board of Trustees session in Miami on February 7, 2023.
- Throughout his career, Ken has been actively involved in various roles within the Southern Baptist Convention and other organizations, such as serving as the president of the Florida Baptist Convention, president of the SBC Pastors’ Conference, and a trustee for the International Mission Board. He has also been dedicated to mentoring aspiring pastors and has a heart for missions.
- Ken sees himself primarily as a pastor, not a businessman, recognizing that the Lord is the ultimate authority in his ministry. He values the support of capable individuals within his church, including leaders of Bible studies, who assist him in carrying out the work of the ministry. While he cannot personally attend to every need due to the size of the church, he remains committed to overseeing the staff, delivering frequent sermons, and providing direction. Despite having to relinquish certain responsibilities, he continues to prioritize pastoral care, personally reaching out to members who have experienced loss or grief.
Interesting Facts, Height and Trivia :
- A few years back, Pastor Ken traveled to Bogota, Colombia, to personally visit Luis Daniel Padilla Montoya, a child he sponsored through Compassion. They spent the day together, discussing Jesus and reviewing Luis’ belongings, including his growth chart and medical documents. Pastor Ken was not only supporting Luis but also his family and others in need. Leo, Luis’ translator, played an important role in translating Compassion messages for children’s words of hope.
- The non-profit Somebody Cares Tampa Bay has significantly benefited from the friendship and support of Pastor Whitten. As the pastor of one of Tampa Bay’s Fountain Head churches, Ken has astounded the organization’s leaders with his accessibility. They praise him for what he has done for Tampa Bay. He played a crucial role in building up Idlewild Church, especially in producing obedient men.
- When he was young, Ken aspired to be a professional baseball player, but after finishing his college pitching career, he realized that God had a different plan for him. He became the official chaplain for the Tampa Yankees and continues to serve the team. Each spring, Major League players and coaches, including those from the New York Yankees, visit Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, where Whitten pastors. In 2014, the church honored him with bobblehead dolls featuring their pastor wearing a Yankees jersey.
- As Ken pursued his passion for baseball, he saw God’s intervention when he was elected president of the Baptist Student Union. However, his perspective shifted when Casey Baptist Church asked him to deliver a sermon in the absence of their minister. Seeking approval from J.W., his coach, Ken embraced the opportunity and realized that preaching was his true calling.
- Moreover, Pastor Whitten serves as a member of the National Board of Directors for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Through this role, he maintains connections with managers from various baseball teams, including the Kansas City Royals, the Chicago Cubs, and the New York Yankees.
I miss Pastor Ken. God bless you, Brother! I listen to your sermons often. When I am walking, when I am cleaning, when I am resting. I love your love shown to people. Judy Amos