Both Ken and Ruth grew up in Christian homes, although it was during their college years that God began challenging them to a deeper relationship with Him. Ken and Ruth met at Moody Bible Institute where they both attended. Ken studied aviation and aviation mechanics, while Ruth studied Music, Art and Theology. Ken and Ruth have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren.
Ken and Ruth began ministering together while still in Bible College doing youth outreach and then Ken had the opportunity to co-pastor his church before entering into full-time cross-cultural missions. The Van Kirks have over 30 years of experience serving in various roles in the northern mountains of Chihuahua among unreached people groups and have experience in discipleship, church-planting (both Mexican and indigenous people groups), medical care (community health and family practice), team building, leadership, community development, missionary school teaching and cross-cultural missionary training and mentoring.
Both Ken and Ruth love opportunities to develop significant relationships, often with whole families, and then look for opportunities to both live out the Kingdom as well as explain to them the Good News of Jesus. Medicine is a wonderful tool to create opportunities, open doors and demonstrate the love and heart of God. As a Mexican licensed physician, Kenny hopes to continue to use medicine for the Kingdom. Ken and Ruth currently serve as associates with Paraclete Mission Group.