Pastor Hempe was born in Loma Linda, California and raised in Redding, California where his dad opened a dental practice. Pastor Hempe joined the Marine Corps serving as an infantryman during Operation Desert storm. During this time, he attended a Pentecostal church with one of his Marine buddies in Yucca Valley, California. Rev. Hempe served in the church faithfully for 13 years and met his wife Yolanda.
Following the Marine Corps, he became a public school teacher. He also conducted an education program for a public water company in Southern California. It was there, through a Christian friend, he was introduced to Martin Luther’s commentary on the Book of Galatians. After attending numerous churches, his wife Yolanda was directed to the LCMS after attending a “500th Year Celebration of the Reformation” in 2017. After becoming a Lutheran, Pastor Hempe began listening to Lutheran Public Radio daily and would hear ads that said, “Have you ever thought of becoming a Pastor? Give us a call in Fort Wayne.” One day he made the call and as he says “The rest is history!”
Kevin and Yolanda have four adult children: Carlos, Garrett, Cassandra and Bryan. Their hobbies are: hiking, eating good food, biking and fishing.
