About Kevin Conner
6 February 1927 · Melbourne, Australia · 18 February 2019A gentle man who shook the world.
Kevin Conner — Teaching-Apostle, Bible teacher, author.
From orphan to spiritual father to thousands
Kevin John Conner was born in Melbourne in 1927 to a young single mother who was unable to care for him. He grew up as an orphan in foster homes and children’s homes, including the Salvation Army Boys Home in Box Hill, where he lived from ages 8 to 14. He never met his mother or his father.
He described himself as a shy and withdrawn boy, marked by feelings of insecurity and loneliness. Yet at the age of 14, while attending a Salvation Army service on Bourke Street, Melbourne, he knelt at a mercy seat and committed his life to Jesus. No fanfare, no emotion — only a sense of inward peace.
From that moment, his life took a remarkable trajectory. He became one of the most respected Bible teachers of the 20th century — recognised internationally as a Teaching-Apostle, author of over 75 theological textbooks, and a formative influence on ministers, pastors, and Bible college students around the world.
Kevin Conner passed away peacefully on 18th February 2019 at the age of 92. He lived a full and fruitful life, faithfully serving God and blessing many. The orphan who had no family finished his life with a worldwide family of thousands who loved him deeply.
Key Moments in Kevin’s Journey
Born in Melbourne
Kevin John Conner was born on 6 February 1927 at the Women’s Hospital in Carlton, Melbourne. He spent his early years as a ward of the state in multiple foster homes.
Comes to Faith
While on holidays in Melbourne, Kevin attended a Salvation Army service at City Temple on Bourke Street. At the close of the meeting, he walked forward and knelt at the mercy seat — committing his life to Jesus. In a remarkable twist, he would return to that same place 61 years later to speak at a seminar.
Royal Australian Air Force
At 18, Kevin joined the RAAF and was based in Townsville, Queensland, serving for 18 months before World War II ended. His Christian faith was tested through ridicule and temptation during these years.
Enters Pastoral Ministry
Feeling totally unprepared and totally unqualified (his own words), Kevin applied to pastor a congregation of 35 people at an Assemblies of God church in Bendigo, Victoria. It was the beginning of a lifetime of ministry.
Marriage to Joyce Douglas
Kevin met Joyce at his church in Bendigo — she sang like an angel and played the piano. They shared a deep love for music and were married on 10 May 1952. A year later their daughter Sharon was born, and in 1961, their son Mark.
Recognised Travelling Minister
By 1970 Kevin had become a renowned travelling minister, teaching across Australia and New Zealand. In 1971 he travelled to the USA, teaching up and down the West Coast for 18 months.
Portland Bible College, Oregon
Invited by Dick Iverson of Bible Temple in Portland, Oregon, Kevin moved his family to the USA by ship — a 30-day voyage on the P&O passenger ship Oriana. As Dean of Portland Bible College, he wrote many of the textbooks that have since been read by students of the Bible all around the world and translated into many languages.
Senior Minister, Waverley Christian Fellowship
Kevin became Senior Minister of Waverley Christian Fellowship (now CityLife Church) in Melbourne, serving for eight years. In 1995 he passed the leadership baton to his son Mark, who led the church for the next 22 years.
Marriage to Rene Arrowsmith
After the sudden passing of Joyce in October 1990, Kevin remarried a long-term friend and ministry partner, Rene Arrowsmith, on 10 April 1992. Together they travelled to over 30 nations, bringing teaching and encouragement to churches and ministers worldwide.
Writer, Teacher & Elder Statesman
In his later years Kevin was busier than ever — teaching in Bible college, writing more books, hosting the ‘Key of Knowledge’ seminars, recording hundreds of podcast episodes, and continuing his travelling ministry. These years brought him great joy and fulfilment.
Passed into Glory
Kevin passed away peacefully at the Villa Maria Aged Care Centre in Melbourne at the age of 92, cared for and loved by family and dear friends. The name “Kevin” means “kindness” and “John” means “beloved” — he was truly a kind man loved by all.
If we are right in our doctrine but wrong in our attitude, then we are wrong. — Kevin Conner
A Ministry That Touched the World
Author of 75+ Books
Kevin’s theological textbooks have been used in Bible colleges and churches around the world — covering topics from foundational doctrine and church life to detailed commentaries on almost every book of the Bible.
300+ Podcast Episodes
The Kevin Conner Teaches podcast continues to reach new listeners worldwide, with over 240,000 downloads and dozens of series covering the breadth of Scripture. New episodes are released regularly from his archive of teachings.
Ministry in 30+ Nations
Kevin and Rene travelled together to over thirty nations, teaching and encouraging churches, ministers, and Bible colleges. His influence extended across Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Dean of Portland Bible College
As Dean of PBC in the 1970s, Kevin shaped a generation of church leaders including Frank Damazio, Ken Malmin, and Wendell Smith — many of whom became influential in their own right.
Church Builder
Kevin’s teaching helped Waverley Christian Fellowship (now CityLife Church) grow from strength to strength. Kevin also helped found the INTERMIN ministers’ conferences, which inspired hundreds of ministers for many years.
Teaching-Apostle
Recognised internationally as a Teaching-Apostle, Kevin was known above all for his clarity of biblical insight, his genuine love for people, and a unique sense of humour that made even the deepest theology accessible and memorable.
Classic Kevinisms
Kevin’s unique turn of phrase made him unforgettable to everyone who heard him teach.
I am not looking for the undertaker — I am looking for the uptaker!
Stay away from those cemeteries — I mean ‘seminaries’ — and demon nations — I mean ‘denominations’.
Some Christian minds are like cement — all mixed up and set hard.
Got my name on heaven’s roll — which is better than a sausage roll.
Don’t be a Pentecostal frog — jumping from one church to another.
I’m living under the spout where the glory comes out.
Stop looking for a sneaky rapture!
Can I help it if I am right?
Family & Connections
Kevin is survived by his son Mark Conner and his wife Nicole, who served as Senior Minister of CityLife Church in Melbourne for 22 years, and his daughter Sharon, who is married to the late Frank Damazio, who ministered from Portland, Oregon until his passing in 2025.
Kevin was also a close ministry partner and friend of Richard Holland, who preceded him as Senior Minister at Waverley Christian Fellowship.
Explore Kevin’s Resources
Books, audio teaching, and video courses — available worldwide.