Remember that popular Dos Equis marketing campaign with the debonair, silver haired and bearded gentlemen that proclaimed him to be the most interesting man in the world? The slogan soon became part of our cultural fabric and generated numerous parodies and memes. Well, that fellow aside, I think I may actually know the most interesting man in the world.
I first became aware of Kenney Isaacs in the early 1990s. I didn’t know him personally, but his adoptive father and my father were second cousins, and I included Kenney’s biographical data in a family history I was writing. In part, it stated he “graduated from Watauga High School in Boone, NC and is now a well-driller for Samaritan’s Purse.” Concise and to the point, I had no clue at the time how much that description underportrayed him. (Okay, “underportrayed” is not an actual word, but it should be.)
All that changed when I went to work for Kenney at Samaritan’s Purse in the late 1990s. I was never his direct report – at least two or three levels of management have separated us through the decades – but I have worked closely with him at times, and his door has always been open to me. Beyond our professional relationship, he is my friend.
Kenney recently completed a long-time ambition, which was to write his autobiography. It was officially released last week and is titled Running to the Fire: Helping in Jesus’ Name. I was honored to receive an inscribed, advance hard copy from Kenney himself, but I also purchased the audiobook because I wanted to hear the story in his own words.
Kenney has led an amazing life. Even if he were not a follower of Jesus Christ, the worldwide adventures – the places he has traveled and the things he has seen – would make an incredible story. On the other hand, had he not followed Jesus, probably most (and perhaps none) of these things would be part of Kenney’s experience. While adventure stories are compelling, when you add Christ to the mix, they become extraordinary, almost to the point of unbelievability. But for those of us who also follow Jesus in faith, we get that.
Having an almost 30-year front row seat to both Samaritan’s Purse and Kenney’s work within the organization, I have a particular appreciation for this new book. I am personally acquainted with many of the people and places mentioned, and I have experienced firsthand some of the amazing projects and events that Kenney discusses, although I am far less traveled and storied than he.
I’m a person who enjoys history, and Kenney’s book did not disappoint in that regard as it is a mostly comprehensive account of the major involvements that Samaritan’s Purse has had around the world. I say “mostly” because Kenney could (and hopefully will) fill subsequent volumes with additional stories and experiences, especially considering that his ministry is ongoing.
I had previously heard or personally known of many of the accounts Kenney shares in his book, but I didn’t know all the details and backstories, so this has been an education of insight for me. Aside from the adventure, history, and nostalgia this book afforded me, it more importantly touched me in deeply spiritual and emotional ways, which I believe is a fulfillment of Kenney’s heart and intent for this work. This was especially true of the audio version, and here, I’ll give you a bit of a spoiler alert if you intend to listen to the book.
There are moments when Kenney actually weeps, and his voice cracks and chokes with emotion as he relays some of his most heart-wrenching life experiences, ranging from what he witnessed during the Rwanda genocide to the death of his dear, godly wife, Carolyn – a lovely lady who I had the great privilege of knowing. But beyond these trying situations, there are other Spirit-filled moments when Kenney becomes emotional as he recounts the mighty hand of God upon his life and his life’s work, including divine deliverances and appointments, evidence of the Master’s providence and grace. I admit that, when Kenney became emotional, I did as well.
Kenney is a fascinating study in terms of his rise from “blue collardom” to bearing witness to and participating in some of the world’s major events and defining moments. I mean, who would have thunk that a small town well driller from Appalachia, with only a high school diploma, would one day brief a U. S. President or testify before Congress regarding various humanitarian crises? It’s by no means a typical story. And even though these things lend support to my claim that Kenney is, perhaps, the most interesting man in the world, it is evident through his writing that he does not view himself in these terms; rather, he sees himself as one who, if there is any marveling to be done about him, ascribes it all to his relationship with Jesus. While Kenney is a central character in this book (an obvious expectation for an autobiography), the true underlying and overarching “character” is Almighty God.
My take-aways from this book include personal self-reflection concerning my walk with the Lord – the degree to which I am submitting and surrendering to His will and contemplation of whether I am living what I proclaim to believe and how I can best be used of Him, all of which I believe are among Kenney’s hopes and aims for his readers.
I taught Sunday School at my church yesterday, and one of the focal passages was Proverbs 3:5&6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Kenney’s book mightily affirms these verses and that the old song had it right – “trust and obey, for there’s no other way.”
I hope you will read this book and be blessed.