As a pastor, theology teacher, and an FCA staff member, Kevin Gillen is full of energy and passion for serving the Lord. He lives in Westchester County, New York, and has started launching the region’s first huddles as an FCA Area Representative.

“I grew up playing a lot of football and baseball without knowing God,” says Gillen. “So for me, my goal is to go and find young students who were like myself 35 years ago. If I had an older mentor or athlete tell me about Jesus when I was in high school, I would have been all in. That is what I want to bring to these kids – the hope of Jesus Christ.”

Gillen grew up in the state of New York and played on a nationally ranked junior college football team before coming to Christ. After attending a Calvary Chapel church service in Florida, Gillen realized his need for a Savior and asked God to change his life at the age of 27 years old in 1994. Once Gillen received the freedom and peace of the Holy Spirit, he couldn’t stop talking about Jesus to others.

With a new excitement to learn more about God’s word and teach others about the Gospel, Gillen enrolled at Nyack College in New York and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Church and Organizational Development in 2001, a Master’s of Divinity in 2004, and a Doctorate in Global Leadership in 2016. He also began work at Ridgeway Alliance Church during his years in college and was heavily involved in their youth ministry programs.

“When teens feel like they are going nowhere in life, I can understand where they are coming from,” says Gillen. “I know what that is like. Almost immediately after coming to Christ, I knew that I wanted to help out in teen ministry. I wanted to encourage young athletes that they are uniquely created and have an identity as a child of God.”

Gillen is currently a full-time pastor at Ridgeway Alliance Church, teaches theology at Alliance Theological Seminary, and lives in White Plains, New York with his wife and four children. As a family, they love sharing their home with others, and have barbecues, Bible studies, and many other gatherings to help spread the love of Jesus to their community.