The First Priority Podcast

The Kenney Story

Shane and Natalie Kenney have worked in youth ministry for almost 25 years. They serve as the Executive Director and Area Director for First Priority Permian Basin. They began working in youth ministry in Florida, and then felt a burden for campus ministry. Mark Roberts introduced them to First Priority and soon after, they started working for FP in the state of Florida. After doing that for a year, they felt God calling them to move to Odessa, TX to start First Priority there. 

They have been serving in FP Permian Basin for the past 8 years and have seen so many students come to know and have a relationship with Christ. Shane and Natalie live in Odessa, TX and have two daughters, Tori and Tristan. 

Story: FP Director Blue Ridge Haley Wherry

Haley Wherry has been the Director of First Priority Blue Ridge for 11 years. He has been involved in youth ministry in some capacity for about 27 years. Haley worked for a ministry for 10 years where he was a campus ministry coordinator and it was similar to the First Priority strategy. He then started First Priority Blue Ridge where he continued to spend his time ministering to youth in schools.

Haley has been married to his wife Kelly for almost 29 years and together they have a son who is a children's pastor in Memphis and a daughter who is anti-money laundering analyst. 

A First Priority Family Story: The Emerine Family

Scott and Joy Emerine, along with their three sons, Topher, Seth, and Luke join the podcast today to talk about how they got involved with First Priority and how it has impacted their family.

Scott Emerine is Co-Founder of Branding Iron and heads up the account service team, along with the media and public relations department. Emerine has a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Science degree in Health Communications from Boston University.  When not working, he enjoys fishing and playing by playing bass guitar. 

Mission and Vision with Chris Lane

Chris Lane is the Executive Director of First Priority South Florida. He has worked for First Priority for 23 years and loves seeing students receive Jesus and know they have eternal life!

Chris and his wife Wendy live in South Florida and together they have four boys. 

How to do Follow-Up after Invite Week

FP South Florida Associate Director Fred Revell talks about How to do Follow-Up after Invite Week. 

Fred has been working with First Priority South Florida for 21 years. Since 2000, they have been expanding First Priority in South Florida to now reaching the same geographic area as the state of Massachusetts. Fred has been married for 36 years, has 3 grown children, and is the proud Pop of two grandchildren. 

FP Director Steve Dismuke talks about what to do and expect when starting FP in your area

FP Heritage, KY Director Steve Dismuke talks about the three things of building the ministry of First Priority. 

About three years ago, the FP Director at that time asked Steve to help be a part of the schools and sharing the Hope of Christ. Steve was serving in youth and children's ministry and he loved the mission of First Priority of America, 'To Take the Hope of Christ to Every Student'. About a year ago, Steve became the FP Director of Heritage, KY. Steve lives in Harrodsburg, KY with his wife who he has been married to for 28 years. 

Launching a First Priority Club

Emery and Will talk about the launching a FP Club, starting with the most important thing, prayer. 

Emery Minton is the Executive Director of FP Tri-States and Will Deavours is a network coordinator there with Emery. 

Commissioning Student Missionaries

Mark Roberts joins us today on the podcast with his great stories of how the power of prayer and seeing students as missionaries in their schools can make a huge impact in sharing the Gospel of Christ. 

Mark Roberts was part of the team that developed the first major FP local city over 25 years ago in Birmingham, AL. He has an extensive background in student leadership training through organizations like: Student Leadership University, N.A.M.B., and Northpoint Community Church. He has spoken to thousands of teenagers and adults over the years, sharing the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the call to be a missionary on their school campus. Mark currently resides in Saint Petersburg, Florida with his wife, Tonya. They have two sons, Hayden and Cole.

Finding Student Leaders

Amber Johansen, FP Director of Tampa Bay, talks about four avenues for finding student leaders to lead FP Clubs at school. 

Amber has been involved with FPTB since 2009, when she began serving as a parent partner. In 2012, she consulted with FPTB as a Community Development Director, and in 2013 stepped into the position of Executive Director.

Amber’s primary focus as Executive Director is: vision casting, fundraising, program development, and ministry operations. Amber is available to speak on a wide range of topics including: the role of First Priority in the community, parenting, public education and faith based issues.

To read Amber’s article in the Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies: http://jsri.ro/ojs/index.php/jsri/issue/view/44

EPIC Stories Training

This is the last training for the three guides that we are offering FP clubs this year. This EPIC guide, called EPIC Stories, was completely created on the youversion Bible app. Listen, as Joel explains how to use this guide and where to find it. You can access all of our guides here: https://firstpriority.club/epic