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Local pastor lives through constant faith

By Nancy Edwards
Local resident, Kern Qualkenbush, is driven by many aspects of his life: family, teaching, writing, and
most importantly, his faith.
Qualkenbush is an executive pastor for River of Life, a church located in Castleton. More than 25 years
ago, he “felt a calling to ministry” and has been involved in either starting churches or doing outreach
ministry.
He expresses his faith through writing theology books and is currently writing a biography about an
inspiring couple who have devoted 60 years of their lives in ministry.
“I like to dig in and pull out information that no one’s ever heard,” Qualkenbush said.
He also enjoys writing poetry and prose for his wife of 35 years, Velda. The couple have two adult
children, Desiree and Brandon, and three grandchildren.
In addition to his responsibilities at church, Qualkenbush is an education director for Lincoln College of
Technology. Teaching also seems to come naturally in his personal life. He and his wife teach their young
grandkids about responsibilities.
“My youngest grandson, 6, folds his pajamas in a drawer when he gets up, makes his bed and then
makes his mommy’s bed,” Qualkenbush said with a chuckle.
Besides making date nights with his wife and sharing chores at home, Qualkenbush said the secret to
making his marriage work is “having God in the center of our marriage. That keeps us together.”
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