“The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” | Psalm 118:23 (NIV)

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God has a plan for us and orchestrates our lives, according to His divine revelation. He sets us in significant places at significant times to produce significant results. Such is the life and ministry of THE REVEREND KENNETH LAMONT SWANN.

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Kenneth is the son of Mary Bell Swann of Sanford, NC, and the late Gene Harold Swann, who passed away February 3, 2007. His maternal grandparents were the late Evans and Narcissus Smith Bell. His maternal grandfather received a patent from the US Patent and Customs Office for designing and building a cement finishing machine in 1979. His paternal grandparents were the late William and Lula Walker Swann. They were co-founders of the former Swann & Prince Exxon Service Stationpreviously located at Endor (now Horner Blvd.) and Wall Street in downtown Sanford. His paternal grandmother was also a notable 7th grade Math teacher in Harnett and Lee County Schools. Kenneth is a 1994 honor graduate of Western Harnett High School, Lillington, NC and a 1998 honor graduate of Shaw University, Raleigh, NC, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies Education with honors. He also obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 2012 from the School of Criminal Justice at ITT Technical Institute, Cary, NC. His professional career was teaching Social Studies and African American History for grades six through eight in Harnett, Wake, and Durham counties. God, then, orchestrated his life to enter the ministry full-time. In August 2017, he returned to Shaw University became a student at the School of Divinity. During his studies, Reverend Swann received Silver Honor Pins each year and was a recipient to the Divinity School Scholarship. On May 8, 2021, he graduated with his Master of Divinity degree.

Reverend Swann confessed Christ as his personal Savior at the age of twelve. At the age of nineteen, he preached his initial sermon at Love Grove African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church of Sanford, NC. In November 2000, he began his pastoral career. His resume’ includes serving as the youngest pastor of the following churches: Saint Luke AME Zion Church, Coats, NC (2000 - 2001), Wesley Chapel AME Zion Church, Lillington, NC (2000 - 2005), and Davis Chapel AME Zion Church, Linden, NC (2005 - 2007). From 2007 – 2014, he was appointed as the full-time pastor of Evans Chapel AME Zion Church, Siler City, NC. There, he coordinated the transformation of the Evans Chapel Church Road from a gravel/dirt road to a paved road. This project was completed on May 4, 2012. Many other physical improvements were made to the church during his tenure there. On November 9, 2014, he was appointed as the youngest pastor of the 250-member congregation of the Cameron Grove AME Zion Church, Broadway, NC. Under his administration, he initiated the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration for the town of Broadway. He has guided the congregation through a massive repair project because of Hurricane Florence. Moreover, he serves the Central North Carolina Conference of The AME Zion Church as the Chairman of the State of the Church Committee; the Chairman of the Social Action Committee; and is the Conference Secretary, under the leadership of The Right Reverend Kenneth Monroe, Presiding Bishop.

His community involvement includes serving as a member of the Harnett County Chapterof the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); an executive board member of the Alpha Eta Omega Intervarsity Alumni Christian Fellowship of Shaw University; a former mentor under the administration of the Shaw University Dean of the Chapel; a member of the National Alumni Association of Shaw University; a member of the International Ministers’ and Lay Association of the AME Zion Church; and a member of the Administrative Board of Compilation for the AME Zion Church, representing the Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District.

Reverend Swann’s greatest highlights during his nearly 25-year ministry includes delivering the keynote addresses at the West Chatham County NAACP Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast (2011); the Chatham County Democrat Party Fundraiser (2011); the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in Sanford, NC (2017); the Lee County Chapter NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet (October 2017); and the Lee County NAACP Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast (2019). He was also elected to serve as a ministerial delegate to the General Conference of The AME Zion Church General Conference in 2016 and 2021. At the 2021 General Conference, he has been selected to serve as a member of the Secretariat.

He is the oldest brother of Tashika Swann Smith (husband, Michael) of Sanford, NC; Sherrita Swann of Fayetteville, NC; Shakina Swann Campbell (husband, Marlin) of Columbia, SC and Dirrell McAuley of Sanford, NC. He is the proud uncle of five nephews, Kenston, Zi’Mere, Denver, Gregory, and Michael; three nieces, Kamora, Xamora, and Xiya; and five “spoiled” godchildren: Mak-ya Elliott; Kameron Gilchrist; Kayden Wilkerson; Camryn Alston; and Lathan Frazier.