Billy Kennedy (church leader)

Billy Kennedy, (born 5 May 1962). is the leader of New Community Church, Southampton, the Pioneer network of churches and has recently been appointed as one of the six Presidents of Churches Together in England.

Early years

Kennedy was born in Liverpool, England. His father, also called Billy Kennedy, was the pastor of Bethel Church, Green Lane, Liverpool. In 1965 the family moved to Kilsyth where Billy (senior) became pastor of Kilsyth Congregational Church. In 1972 the family moved again. This time to Banbridge in County Down, Northern Ireland. Billy attended the local grammar school, Banbridge Academy.

Kennedy began his working life as a sales assistant in Glasgow, moving to Belfast, Liverpool, Cardiff and Bromley over the next four years.

Ministry

In September 1983, Kennedy began training for the ministry on a course run by the Cornerstone Network. In September 1984, he took responsibility for the network's newly-formed evangelism team, which conducted missions in churches, schools and universities, hosted city-wide training events and organised opportunities for short term mission.

In 1990, after two more years spent as a sales assistant, Kennedy began to formally work across the Cornerstone Network, serving churches in Sheffield, Weybridge, East Acton and Gosport. He was also on the staff of The Community Church, Southampton, where he was responsible for youth and training. Kennedy oversaw the development of the innovative Sublime youth congregation and hosted regular [...] Edge (recordings) youth events.

Church leadership

In January 2002, together with his wife Caroline, Kennedy was appointed as the Senior Leader of The Community Church, Southampton, later renamed to the New Community Church.

In February 2009 the Kennedys were appointed to the leadership of the Pioneer network of churches.

In September 2014 Billy was appointed as one of the Presidents of Churches Together in England.

Partnership with the Methodist Church

In early 2010 Kennedy initiated a conversation with the General Secretary of the Methodist Church of GB and Ireland, AbOUT the possibility of the Pioneer network partnering with the Methodist Church. This partnership has grown over the past few years and Pioneer churches and members are working in various locations across the Methodist Church.

Social engagement

In 2007 Billy fronted a bit to open two new schools in Southampton. The bid was a partnership between Oasis Community Learning, New Community Network, the Diocese of Winchester Education Board and the YMCA. The partnership bid was successful and Oasis opened The Two new Academies, Oasis Academy Mayfield and Oasis Academy Lord's Hill in September 2008. Billy served as Chair of the Mayfield Academy Council (the local governing body) from the beginning of the school's formation up to the end of the 2012/13 academic year.

In March 2014 Billy fronted another bid to open a Primary Free School in the city centre. This bid was successful and the new school, Hope Community School, will open in September 2016.

Billy was instrumental in the formation of Love Southampton in 2013. Drawing together the majority of churches in the city to enable better communication and engagement with the local authority. In partnership with Southampton City Council, Love Southampton initiated the Families for Forty campaign to find more foster families across the city. They have also formed working groups around various social agendas in the city, including, homelessness, working with children and families, youth provision and the elderly.

Other involvements

Billy serves on the Advisory Board of the Fusion student movement and was part of the international leadership team of the 24-7prayer movement.