Keenan was born and raised in Northern Kentucky, and decided to follow Jesus at the age of 8. At the age of 21, God called Keenan into His full-time Gospel ministry. Shortly thereafter, he began attending Clear Creek Baptist Bible College in Pineville, KY, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry. Upon graduation, God led Keenan to his first full-time student ministry position at Harlan Baptist Church in Harlan, KY. While in Harlan, he met, and married, Peggy McNiel and they began their family. God has blessed the Bradens with 2 wonderful children (Rylie Jo and Andrew). Since then, Keenan has attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Arts in Christian Education) and the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Theology and PhD in Discipleship and Ministry Leadership).

During their ministry together, Keenan and Peg have served in four churches in two states.

ABOUT ME:

How long have you been in full time ministry? How long have you been at FBC?
I surrendered to full time ministry in November of 1994. I have been at First Baptist since February 2, 2020.

Favorite Bible Verse?
Colossians 1:9-10
⁹ And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰ so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Interesting, not so well known, fact about yourself.
We moved to First Baptist in 2020 to serve alongside Pastor Joel Carwile as the Student Pastor. In June of 2022, Keith Smyser retired and I then moved into the role of Executive Pastor. Six months later, Pastor Joel resigned as Senior Pastor of First Baptist, so I began serving as the Interim Senior Pastor in January of 2023. The role of Senior Pastor was not on mine and Peg’s radar, as I had always been a staff minister, and in nearly 30 years of ministry I had never felt a calling to be a Senior Pastor. God had other plans, and First Baptist voted me in as Senior Pastor in August of 2023. So, in 3 ½ years I moved from serving as Student Pastor to Executive Pastor to Senior Pastor.

Favorite food or restaurant?
I love steak, so my favorite restaurant in any given city where we’ve lived has tended to be a steakhouse. I also consider myself a connoisseur of buffalo wings and a lover of Asian cuisine.

Favorite Sports team
I am a University of Kentucky Wildcats fan. I don’t just jump on the basketball bandwagon. I bleed UK blue (basketball, football, baseball, Ping-Pong…it doesn’t matter). Andrew and I are New York Yankees (American League) and Cincinnati Reds (National League) fans.

Hobbies
I enjoy sports in general, but specifically playing softball and golf. My favorite thing to do is travel with Peggy.

Favorite Vacation Spot-been to or want to go to
Our family loves going to the beach. Here in Alabama we have grown fond of Orange Beach, but our vacation spot of choice is Myrtle Beach, SC.

Peg and I honeymooned in Hawaii, and we would love to go back.

Favorite Old Testament story or character
I love the Old Testament, so picking one is difficult. I love the stories of Joseph, Gideon, and Elijah on Mt. Carmel, just to name a few.

Family Life
I really out-kicked my coverage when I married Peg. We have two incredible children: our daughter, Rylie Jo, and our son, Andrew.