John Kennedy Vaughan: Biography, Family Life, Ministry, And Net Worth: John Kennedy Vaughan is an American evangelist from the State of Texas. He is also a world-class athlete and a national champion. Kenny Vaughan as he is popularly known is a popular speaker and the founder of Shields of Strength.
Biography
John Kennedy Vaughan is a popular speaker, an author, and the founder of the Shields of Strength. He grew up in Southeast Texas and this is where he learned to waterski, hunt, and fish.
His date of birth is unknown at the moment. However, he was born to his mother, Mrs. Alice Vaughan and he grew up with his only brother, Gabriel (Gabe) Vaughan.
Family Life
The evangelist is married to Tammie Vaughan. The couple got married in 1992 and the marriage is blessed with three children; Faith, Grace, and Kennedy.
He lives with his family in Beaumont, Texas. John and his wife run the Shields of Strength with help from their children occasionally.
Ministry
Vaughan is the creator of Shields of Strength. Shields of Strength are dog tags and other small items inscribed with Bible.
The story behind the mission dates back to before the 1996 tournament. Vaughan’s girlfriend, Tammie (now his wife), used a Sharpie to write Bible scripture on the handle of his water-ski rope, to help calm his nerves.
Kenny appreciated the encouraging gesture but he didn’t know how something, written on a ski rope handle could help him overcome his fear. Nevertheless, he took a chance and, he meditated on and prayed about the scripture Tammie had written.
It was through His scripture, that God spoke to Kenny. God’s Word weaved a path from the ski rope handle to his head and ultimately to his heart. And, After 15 years of failure, Kenny finally won the 1996 national tournament. He learned how to act on God’s Word, to be a “doer” of His word and not just a “hearer”. This life lesson affected him deeply that even a second time, the result was still the same.
Shields of Strength
Kenny’s story became really popular after he had shared his testimony and given the dog tag away. He made another one and the result was the same. At that moment, Kenny realized that other people needed God’s Word as much as he did. This realization led to the birth of “Shields of Strength”.
Soon, a pattern emerged. He’d have a few dog tags manufactured, and they’d be gone in a matter of days, given away to family, strangers, young and old, men and women
The first Shields of Strength were placed at a store in December 1998. They sold well enough that by 2001, they were available in stores across the country, and they drew Colonel David Dodd’s attention on one fateful day.
Colonel Dodd was the commanding officer of the 86th Signal Battalion, and he and his troops were on their way to Afghanistan to begin Operation Enduring Freedom. Colonel Dodd was gratefully given 500 Shields for his combat-ready men after he contacted Kenny and Tammie about buying some in bulk.
Shields of Strength and the military formed a lifelong bond and relationship on that day. Most troops’ favorite “tag” was adorned with the American flag and etched with Joshua 1:9. This “tag” eventually found its way to a young Army Captain named Russell Rippetoe, whose name still brings tears to the eyes of the SOS family.
Since then, Kenny and Tammie have produced over four million dog tags and distributed hundreds of thousands to the US military and other government agencies. Many of America’s allies also wear them. The British Royal Army, for example, has ordered up to 8000 at a time for their troops.
Books
He is also the author of “Shields of Strength,” a book about the history of the shields. “The Right Fight: How to Live a Loving Life,” his most recent book, is still a best-seller on Amazon.
Kenny Vaughan has appeared on a variety of national and international news channels, including CBN, Fox National News, BBC, Associated Press, and a wide range of regional and local news agencies.
Net Worth
John Kennedy Vaughan’s net worth cannot be ascertained at this time.
Social Media
Kenny Vaughan uses social media to teach about love and Christ. You can follow him on the following social media platforms:
Instagram: @johnkennedyvaughan
Tiktok: @johnkennedyvaughan