Though he did not realize it at the time, Kelly Lowery's time as a student-athlete on the Southern California College baseball team would prepare him to sharpen his faith and serve communities around the globe. He spent his time at what is now known as Vanguard University forging lifelong friendships at the tower dormitories, which included former campus pastor and current Church Relations Specialist Mike Whitford.
He credited former teammate and current baseball Head Coach Rob Pegg, as well as Professor Emeritus Jerry Camery Hoggat, as key voices who inspired him to break out of his shell and be a part of something larger than himself.
"Rob was my catcher for the first two years at SCC," said Lowery. "He was always positive and believed in me even when I wasn't sure I believed in myself." As for Hoggatt, Lowery identified the former professor as "the first person who challenged [his] second-hand understanding of the Bible and pushed [him] to possess [his] own understanding through the spiritual pursuit of the truth."
Following graduation, Lowery became a youth pastor back home in Selma at his home church. Though he returned to familiar settings, God opened the door to step outside his comfort zone and make a push toward missionary work. Lowery's obedience led him to Haiti, Nicaragua, Romania, Mexico, and Zimbabwe, where he guided students and watched as his passion for missionary work developed.
After a decade as a youth pastor, Lowery transitioned to the nonprofit organization Global Passion to further his service ministry. His work continued as he traveled with students to El Salvador, Italy, and Swaziland and he mentored youth pastors in missionary organization, planning, and fundraising.
"The work is incredible but challenging," Lowery noted. "You have to raise your support, which was difficult with my growing family." With his then family of four, the financial strain resulted in Lowery stepping aside from ministry work for a short time, but the hunger in his heart to serve remained.
In 2022, Lowery was overjoyed with the opportunity to return to service-based work. Today, he operates as the Administrator of the CAPK Food Bank in Kern County, Bakersfield. He is integral in supporting over 140,000 food-insecure neighbors, as the organization distributes more than two million pounds of food each month across county communities. During Hunger Action Month in September, the Food Bank distributed over 21,000 meals in a single food drive. Lowery also interviewed the World Director of Food Security for the United Nations World Program, Jean-Martin Bauer, and appeared on KGET News to speak about food insecurity both in the county and around the United States.
Lowery's commitment to the cause came with a deep sense of compassion amid the food insecurity crisis.
"One of the challenges that comes with serving others in this work is the large scope and maintaining partnerships to hold it all together," Lowery acknowledged. "But I love what I get to do. I get to be part of a team that makes a tangible difference in the lives of others. And being a person of faith has helped keep me grounded, and gave me grace, perspective, and patience for others."
While Lowery's heart of serving directed him to his current career path, he considers his time as a student-athlete at SCC the firm foundation for where he is today.
"Baseball and sports are unparalleled in their ability to teach life lessons; if you want to go far you have to go together," Lowery reflected. "Today, I take this understanding into leading the team I work with at the Food Bank. We all fight food insecurity, but we each have a different place on the field or role to play."
Lowery's continued influence in the Kern County community is one that he hopes will spread across the state and the nation. He urged members of all communities to practice courage by prioritizing their neighbors' needs and playing their part at their local food banks. Looking back at his journey of pastoral care, missionary work, and now food bank administration, Lowery gave thanks that his heart to serve never changed.
"Through it all, I have come to understand the truth that the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable," he shared. "Ministry for me today doesn't look like it did 20 years ago. But it looks exactly like God wants it to be, for He said, 'When I was hungry, you fed me.'"
