Meet Our Guests
Ken Whitten
Idlewild Baptist Church • Lutz, FL
Ken Whitten serves as the Senior Pastor of Exciting Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida. Under Pastor Whitten’s leadership, Idlewild has planted six churches and is currently leading an urban initiative to transform lives in the inner city of Tampa, Florida.
From 1982-1989, Whitten was privileged to serve at Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, TN, under the leadership of Dr. Adrian Rogers, whom he considers his spiritual father. Ken Whitten is married to the former Ginette (Ginny) Vincent. They’ve been blessed with 4 children and 10 grandchildren.
Musical Guest
Wes Hampton
— Gaither Vocal Band —
Wes has always loved music. He grew up with an admiration for the music of Steve Green, Larnelle Harris, Michael English, and the iconic Gaither Vocal Band. Wes has won numerous awards, including a Grammy in 2009 for the Gaither Vocal Band album, “Lovin’ Life,” and was also nominated with the GVB for a Grammy for three more albums. Wes, along with the Gaither Vocal Band, has gone on to win numerous Gospel Music Association Dove Awards over the years as well. Wes also won the 2006 Singing News Horizon Individual Fan Award for best new artist. In 2018, Wes and the GVB had the honor of singing at Billy Graham’s memorial service in Charlotte, NC.
Wes Hampton
Wes has always loved music. He grew up with an admiration for the music of Steve Green, Larnelle Harris, Michael English, and the iconic Gaither Vocal Band. Wes has won numerous awards, including a Grammy in 2009 for the Gaither Vocal Band album, “Lovin’ Life,” and was also nominated with the GVB for a Grammy for three more albums. Wes, along with the Gaither Vocal Band, has gone on to win numerous Gospel Music Association Dove Awards over the years as well. Wes also won the 2006 Singing News Horizon Individual Fan Award for best new artist. In 2018, Wes and the GVB had the honor of singing at Billy Graham’s memorial service in Charlotte, NC.
One of America’s Funniest Men
Dennis Swanberg
— Comedian —
Dennis Swanberg, an encouraging speaker, comedian, and humorist, served the local church in pastoral ministry for 23 years. Then, in 1995 Dennis took a leap of faith when he stepped down as church pastor and stepped up to the microphone on stages and platforms all across America and the World. “The Swan” soon became “AMERICA’S MINISTER OF ENCOURAGEMENT”, a job he takes seriously as he continues to speak to about 150 organizations, faith-based groups and corporations every year.