In Memoriam 

Kenneth L. Hornby was born in Southern West Virginia in 1945 led an incredibly interesting and daring life. Ken met and then married his sweet heart, Mary Lou Hornby, in August of 1974 while working through the ministry of the Richmond Youth Challenge. Together he and Mary Lou had two children, Ben and Stephanie. Ben and Stephanie live 3 miles away from each other in Virginia Beach, and together with their spouses, Brian and Jenny, they have given the Hornby’s two adorable grandchildren: Nathan and Violet.

Ken overcame drug addiction and, since then, walked in the strongest confidence of the sovereignty of God and the mercy of Jesus Christ. Together in their ministry, Ken and Mary Lou helped start several churches through Bible studies, pastored churches in Richmond and Manassas, and taught at Emmanuel Christian School for over 15 years. In 1999, Ken was ordained again at New Covenant Fellowship where he served for 11 years as a pastor/elder. During his time at New Covenant Fellowship, Ken discovered and became an even bigger blessing to the fellowship, if that was possible, by introducing a prayer ministry called Theophostic Ministry.

Ken was diagnosed with colon cancer a few years ago and, despite an incredibly courageous battle, Ken went to be with Jesus on February 16, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Hornby; his mother, Doris L. Hornby; sisters, Jane Fox and husband, Richard and their children and Barbara Halverstadt and sons; his children, Benjamin Hornby and his wife, Jenny, and Stephanie Lanciki and her husband, Brian; and his grandchildren, Nathan Benjamin Hornby and Violet Mae Lanciki.

Ken’s dedication and devotion – his wonderful pastor’s spirit – was, and continues to be, a tremendous blessing to the church family of New Covenant Fellowship. The entire Hornby family is in our constant prayers as we uplift them during their time of mourning.

Ken’s favorite project, Theophistic Prayer Ministry, will continue on in a legacy of healing and restoration at NCF that Ken championed. Ken’s favorite scripture was from John 5 when Jesus asks the lame man, “Do you want to be well?” and then Jesus tells the lame man to “Take up your mat and walk!” This is how Ken related to healing and restoration: Jesus has the power and the mercy to heal and restore every “invalid,” whether paralysis comes from physical pain or spiritual pain.

Ken loved worship, he loved mentoring and helping young adults blossoming into full adulthood, he was persistent in his servanthood to the body of Christ, and he was a faithful friend. There are so many things that will be missed about Ken Hornby – he was a treasure to each of us. We deeply mourn his passing even while we rejoice in the total healing and restoration he’s received by entering into the Heavenly Kingdom with Jesus Christ. I can almost hear Ken whistling in the Throne Room of Christ with the “Holy, Holy, Holy” of the angels.

 As Ken and Mary Lou always say, "May His face shine upon you." Ken is really experiencing the light of Jesus shining upon his face now.