Dr. Kelly L. Valencia-Aiken
From the moment I first heard Jesus whisper, “I love you,” He became my closest friend and the center of my life. That childhood encounter set the foundation for a lifelong worship, discipleship, and ministry journey. Whether leading worship for thousands or guiding a small group in study, my passion has always been to usher people into the presence of God and help them cultivate a deeper relationship with Him.
My Story
I was raised in a family that attended church regularly and taught us about Jesus. I was three or four years old when I had a vision of Jesus one day while dancing in my kitchen. I said aloud, “I love you, Jesus,” and heard Him answer in my heart, “I love you, too, Kelly.” I had prayed with my parents before that day, but that moment stands out as my salvation experience. He was mine, and I was His. He instantly became my best friend and has remained my best friend as I have grown in Him.
Growing up in the Church, I have served in various capacities. I loved working with the babies in the nursery and singing as part of the choir and later the worship team for church. I served with older children, pre-teens, teens, and college-aged students as I grew older. A friend invited me to a nearby church’s young adult group in a season when my home church didn’t have one. I ended up on the worship team for that young adult group, where I would later meet my husband in a Bible study I led.
I eventually started attending this other church regularly and traveled with the senior pastor’s family to the Dominican Republic to lead worship for the women’s events and the 30,000+ crusade attendees. When the church’s worship leader unexpectedly resigned, I stepped in as an interim worship leader for the church for a season. My husband, Rob, and I later became licensed chaplains and reverends to continue our ministry for the Lord.
There is nothing in this world quite like the presence of the Lord, and it is such an honor when I can be instrumental in ushering His presence into the room and helping His people connect with Him in worship. A mandate the Lord has spoken to me is to “Disciple the nations in worship and teach them how to steward [His] presence.” Leading people into an encounter with Love Himself is my life’s mission.
I heard Pastor Michael Kulianos say he had received this word of advice at a time when he was seeking direction for his life: “Find the love of Jesus and love Him back.” Knowing Him and leading others into a relationship with Him is paramount.
This is the very definition of ministry: introducing people to Jesus and the incomparable love of the Father and discipling them in His character and ways.
Together with our three kids, we are on a mission to bring the love of God to the people of Hawaii, a place our family has called “home” since 2010. Rob and I are working with a local church to equip and empower the local church to become the Bride Jesus sees in His heart. We are passionate about seeing people’s lives transformed by the love of Jesus. We look forward to seeing what God does next!
