This is the story of a remarkable pioneer, a Baptist missionary who established churches, and influenced communities, along the Great Southern Railway in Western Australia from 1898-1929.
William Kennedy was an ordinary man who lived a life of extraordinary influence with his unerring faith and his determination to "find a way or make one". This is the story of a remarkable pioneer Baptist missionary who established churches, and influenced communities, along the Great Southern Railway in Western Australia from 1898-1929.
Although his name is immortalised in Kennedy Baptist College, William Kennedy Way in Narrogin, and several other organisations, he could not be considered famous or well known. He spoke out against social evils, including alcohol, and yet even publicans respected him and supported his causes. Publican, pioneer and mayor of Narrogin, Michael Brown, said that 'Me and Mr Kennedy built Narrogin". Kennedy had such a gift for water locating (or divining), that the WA Government gave him a first-class rail pass to travel throughout the southern half of the state to find water for remote farmers and communities - even though Kennedy claimed he had no idea how he did it.
He and his wife lived a life of poverty and sacrifice, struggling with health issues on numerous occasions. Why? Because of a love for Jesus Christ, to whom he gave his entire life without reserve.
