greg from canada August 1st, 2008

Wow, what an increadible story. Its amazing that God could use this young man's horrible mistake and his family to minister to the other inmates and their families. And make such a difference in others lives. Thanks so much Carol for sharing your experiences with us.

Ford August 3rd, 2008

Without a doubt, Carol Kent is living out a nightmare that would crush the spirit of any parent. What a testimony of how God has brought her and her family through, so far, and is continuing to be with them.
There was no mention of the young woman, her son married, and her daughters and how they have played since the murder took place. (Just wondering)

Tony Heringer August 5th, 2008

Ford,

Good question. I did a quick search and found this on the Dateline story done by NBC:

"Although Jason Kent has not seen April and the girls in nearly two years, they do write. Kent's lawyer says it could be another three to four years before his clemency request for a reduced sentence is considered by the governor's office."

This is a tough one, but grace is boundless. Carol and Gene are a great encouragement to us all.

Steve Brown Etc. » Blog Archive » Etcetera - 08.05.08 - Plugtacular August 6th, 2008

[...] – Carol Kent on SBE [...]

Carol Kent on Steve Brown, etc. « The World According to kcillini77 August 9th, 2008

[...] story will take you 40 minutes to listen to, but it's well worth it.  Go to this site, and you can either download the mp3, press the play button to listen to it directly on the site, [...]

Kevin Behringer August 12th, 2008

Wow.

Just finished this episode and it was chilling.

The part that hit me deep in my soul was the fact that over and over I found myself thinking that if my wife was in the same position his was, I could see myself in Jason's shoes. I could see myself doing what I felt was necessary to protect her.

Then, I think…could I maintain that same level of faith as him?

How inspiring.

Robin Harbuck August 23rd, 2008

Wow, I just finished reading Carol's book "When I Lay My Issac Down". Thanks, Steve, for suggesting it when you spoke at Willow Creek Church. The story still puzzled me!
Were you able to go visit Jason in prison yet? What could we do to encourage him personally while he remains in prison?

DJ September 4th, 2008

Anyone who interperts "THOU SHALT NOT MURDER" as it is often eroneously translated "THOU SHALT NOT KILL" must not have read much Exodus, Duteronomy, ect…

God is the answer, but what was the question?

Pamela March 28th, 2009

I've just watched the Dateline story on the Internet about Jason Kent. I feel sorry for the victim and his father, because it's so often that sometimes we forget the dead, and concentrate on the living. I don't know the true story except for what I've heard on the Dateline story and read on the Internet, but so often women whose children are involved in a custody battle, engage their new husband/mate in their battles. The end result is usually what happened to Jason. Now she is nowhere in site, and he gets to sit in a prison and rot. Why are men so gullible? Why kill someone and mess up your whole life, then the woman gets to go and start a new life while you sit in jail. Men will never learn. A fool is born every day.

Ken July 28th, 2009

Pamela is right on the money. It is so easy to justify Jason for what he has done as long as his victim was the monster that his ex-wife April painted him to be. It saddens me to see him cast in the role of the villian, when his murderer's truly diabolical actions are revered as being heroic. It frightens me that people would rather believe ill words about the victim, that are offered by his murderers wife and defense team. Instead of seeing a man guilty of the act of murder, trying to justify his actions by painting the victim as a bad man. Jason will certainly be forgiven, when he is truly repentant. I am not ready to believe he is. Everything about the dateline interviews led me to believe he is still trying to justify his actions. Perhaps in hope the continued press will influence the clemancy board. I appreciate the Kents efforts and admire their commitment to Jason. I long for Jason to receive forgiveness from the only One who matters as I do for all mankind. You shall reap what you sow. Maranatha

Star Winchester August 19th, 2009

If this x-husband was truly doing all these awful things why didnt April go to the cops or some other service to protect herself and children? I was married to a abusive man and I didnt get my new husband to go kill him. Also if he did all these things (the X) why couldnt she of just gone to court to stop his visits…orthey could of moved away from where he was.Oh well "if only's" get us no where.
God Bless both familys

Debbie Davis September 1st, 2009

I'v sat in the visting park at Hardee Correctiona Institution and watched Carol & Gene and often thought, they still think they're better than the rest of us…After listening to this I have to say to them, PLEASE FORGIVE ME. I listened to this and cried like a baby. They suffer the same pain as the rest of us, the same hurt, the same fear. I've never had the courage to approach Carol and have a conversation with her because she just seemed so perfect. I don't know now if I can ever approach her without balling my eyes out. I've felt the same pain she's felt, however, I've never been angry with God for what we're (my husband & I) are going through. I've always feared God too much to do that. Even though my husband is serving a life sentence for a non-violent crime, I believe that God will release him from the sentence that man has put on him. I've been with my husband 12 years and he has been incarcerated the entire time. I never new him in the free world, however, I know God brought him into my life for a purpose. On October 1st we will celebrate we will have been married one year.

norske November 8th, 2009

Reading about this story and the responses of "Christians," makes me more sure of my atheism .

Lindy January 5th, 2010

The best of us are foolish vulnerable people who are so easily susceptible to the whispers and strategies of the unseen enemy of us all. While Satan won a victory here, even those, when laid at the foot of the Cross, can be worked together to bring good. I grieve for both families, and especially because people like Norske, above, will hear such a story and come to the same conclusion he or she has. To Norske, I would like to explain by saying that any Christian is just as weak & vulnerable as anyone else. It is Christ who is strong, and I know you would find no fault in Him. We are like you, when we turn away from God/His Word and take matters into our own hands, we are very vulnerable to deception. And if you think you are not capable of such an atrocity, given the right circumstances, then my friend, you are self-righteous indeed. We ALL need the Savior.

Laurel February 9th, 2010

I thought A New Kind of Normal was a wonderful book…but the facts are confused in it. Page 171… Jason was arrested in Oct 1999. Read p. 10. It says " I think back on the wonderful Christmas we spent with Jason and family in Dec. 1999." Carol Kent must have meant Dec. 1998…but this too doesn't make sense…saying they married in September, 1999 (see P. 5). She must have meant 1998. She says that he married two years after graduating from Annapolis (p.16). He must have gotten married the next year—Sept 1998. They also undergo the agony of two miscarriages in this short time. VERY CONFUSING! But, whatever…In short…they weren't married very long at all. They hadn't dated very long prior. In this "quicky marriage" Jason was a "sounding board" about her former husband (and youth pastor's) transgressions. He wanted so bad to please her, to reassure his stepdaughters' safety. Jason gave his all. His parents gave her and her daughters their all….and she left all of them cold. I didn't sense bitterness from Carol's writing, but her mix-up of the dates make me believe she consciously or unconsciously tried to show more stability than there was in this marriage. As smart as Jason is…he had an Achille's heel…

Janet June 2nd, 2010

Debbie, do find the courage to go up and talk to Carol and Gene. They are real people, with real hearts. They will embrace you. Love you and support you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lynne August 27th, 2010

Carol Kent has a new book coming out in September 2010. "Between a Rock and a Grace Place." I assume it picks up where "A New Kind of Normal" left off. I am interested to know if April and Jason are still married. She eventually took her daughters and moved to another state, severing all contact with Carol and Gene. This is detailed in "A New Kind of Normal."

Carol always referred to Jason's step-daughters as her grandchildren, when in fact, they were not. She admits in her second book that she and Gene "blew it" in their relationship with April following Jason's arrest.

It's always bothered me that April did not take her daughters to a doctor, hospital, or contact the police when she thought they were being molested by their father.

Lucy February 26th, 2012

Has anyone questioned why Aprils parents allowed their 16 year old daughter to marry a youth pastor 10 years older then her. Is that even legal. This is evidence that he was attracted to young girls. April lived a very sheltered life from being home schooled to marriage. She did not know how to fight back. I believe her story. If your child was in danger and you felt that the legal system will not support you how would you react. Many women run away with their children but Jason is a man so he did what he was trained to do. He should be punished but not for life.