A Pastoral Word. . .
Pastor Mark Adams
August 18, 2022
Have you ever heard of Rob Kenny? I hadn’t until I came across an article by Josh Paunil, who wrote in The Washington Post back in 2021: “Amid the pandemic, people crave connection. The ‘Internet’s Dad’ provides it.” Here’s an excerpt from Josh’s article:
“Rob has a YouTube channel: ‘Dad, How Do I?’ and it went viral last year. Kenney released his first video shortly after the coronavirus pandemic was declared. He wanted to provide practical advice (‘How to fix most running toilets’) and emotional support (‘I am proud of you!’). But in a time defined by isolation and loneliness, his messages resonated with far more than the 30 or 40 subscribers he expected.
Now he surpassed 3.4 million subscribers and 15 million views. When Good Morning America referred to the 57-year-old as the ‘Internet’s Dad,’ followers flooded him with stories about their parents, broken relationships, and traumatic experiences. Kenney said, ‘It breaks my heart that so many people need my channel.’
The seeds for his videos were planted in Kenney’s tumultuous childhood. When his parents divorced, his dad gained custody. His mom was legally declared unfit to parent as she turned to alcohol. Soon after, Kenney’s dad met another woman. On the weekend, he would stock up his kids with groceries and then leave them as he drove an hour away. After a year, he gathered his children to deliver a devastating message: ‘I’m done raising kids.’
Kenney, who was 14 at the time, moved in with his 23-year-old newlywed brother in a 280-square-foot trailer. His teenage experience was full of anger, sorrow, and confusion as he vowed to never cause his own children such pain. That pledge broadened when he realized he wasn’t the only kid without a dad around, so he doubled-down and decided he’d also help anyone else who needed a father figure.
Once Kenney reached his early 50s, feeling like he had accomplished his goal of raising two good adults. He thought he had plenty more life to live, zeroing in on the second part of his vow: to help others. His daughter says, ‘I genuinely think he was put on Earth to be a dad.’”
Since his newfound fame, Kenney has leaned on his Christian faith to prevent himself from feeling too overwhelmed. He has a morning quiet time in which he read’s God’s Word and spends time talking to and listening to Our Heavenly Father. He says this provides him with calmness and clarity.
Last Father’s Day, many of his YouTube fans mailed him scores of cards (some handmade, many heartfelt). The fact that strangers are celebrating him at all reflects a man who found time to share his story—and a world that was desperate to hear it.
We live in a world that is indeed desperate to hear that they have a Heavenly Father, Who loves them and wants them to know Him---wants that so much that He gave His only Son to pay for our sin---the barrier that keeps us from Him.
As God gives you opportunity, share the news with lonely or desperate neighbors and friends that God knows us individually and personally (Psalm 139)---that He is available 24/7 for fellowship---that God cares about our problems (1 Peter 5:7)---that He satisfies our every need (Psalm 23:1-6)---including the guidance we need in life. Tell them that because of Jesus we can approach our Heavenly Father’s throne boldly asking, “Abba, Dad, HOW DO I….?”
Keep the SON in your eyes!
Pastor Mark Adams
“Rob has a YouTube channel: ‘Dad, How Do I?’ and it went viral last year. Kenney released his first video shortly after the coronavirus pandemic was declared. He wanted to provide practical advice (‘How to fix most running toilets’) and emotional support (‘I am proud of you!’). But in a time defined by isolation and loneliness, his messages resonated with far more than the 30 or 40 subscribers he expected.
Now he surpassed 3.4 million subscribers and 15 million views. When Good Morning America referred to the 57-year-old as the ‘Internet’s Dad,’ followers flooded him with stories about their parents, broken relationships, and traumatic experiences. Kenney said, ‘It breaks my heart that so many people need my channel.’
The seeds for his videos were planted in Kenney’s tumultuous childhood. When his parents divorced, his dad gained custody. His mom was legally declared unfit to parent as she turned to alcohol. Soon after, Kenney’s dad met another woman. On the weekend, he would stock up his kids with groceries and then leave them as he drove an hour away. After a year, he gathered his children to deliver a devastating message: ‘I’m done raising kids.’
Kenney, who was 14 at the time, moved in with his 23-year-old newlywed brother in a 280-square-foot trailer. His teenage experience was full of anger, sorrow, and confusion as he vowed to never cause his own children such pain. That pledge broadened when he realized he wasn’t the only kid without a dad around, so he doubled-down and decided he’d also help anyone else who needed a father figure.
Once Kenney reached his early 50s, feeling like he had accomplished his goal of raising two good adults. He thought he had plenty more life to live, zeroing in on the second part of his vow: to help others. His daughter says, ‘I genuinely think he was put on Earth to be a dad.’”
Since his newfound fame, Kenney has leaned on his Christian faith to prevent himself from feeling too overwhelmed. He has a morning quiet time in which he read’s God’s Word and spends time talking to and listening to Our Heavenly Father. He says this provides him with calmness and clarity.
Last Father’s Day, many of his YouTube fans mailed him scores of cards (some handmade, many heartfelt). The fact that strangers are celebrating him at all reflects a man who found time to share his story—and a world that was desperate to hear it.
We live in a world that is indeed desperate to hear that they have a Heavenly Father, Who loves them and wants them to know Him---wants that so much that He gave His only Son to pay for our sin---the barrier that keeps us from Him.
As God gives you opportunity, share the news with lonely or desperate neighbors and friends that God knows us individually and personally (Psalm 139)---that He is available 24/7 for fellowship---that God cares about our problems (1 Peter 5:7)---that He satisfies our every need (Psalm 23:1-6)---including the guidance we need in life. Tell them that because of Jesus we can approach our Heavenly Father’s throne boldly asking, “Abba, Dad, HOW DO I….?”
Keep the SON in your eyes!
Pastor Mark Adams
Posted in A Pastoral Word
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