Brian Kaylor, 26
Powerhouse preacher| Author
 

Story by Kristin Brake
Video by Caroline Zilk
Photo by Liana Cecil

Religious rebel Brian Kaylor has a mission: to challenge street preachers to shut up.

In 2005, Kaylor was walking down a street in Chicago when he heard a street evangelist yelling at passersby to repent or burn in hell. “I was angry about the negative impact it was making,” Kaylor says. “I knew this impact had to be driving people away from God.”

Kaylor’s frustration led him to pen the book For God’s Sake, Shut Up. Published in February by Smyth & Helwys, the book goes beyond pointing out the shortcomings of street evangelism and addresses how people can discuss religion more effectively.

Kaylor gave a copy of his book to Columbia’s own notorious street evangelist, Jed Smock, better known as “Brother Jed,” which resulted in a public debate on Aug. 27.

Kaylor began preaching in high school. During his senior year at Southwest Baptist University, Kaylor was the pastor of Union Mound Baptist Church near Buffalo. Both Kaylor’s grandfather and great-grandfather were preachers.

Currently, Kaylor is a doctoral candidate at MU and teaches courses in communications. He has written for the Southern Baptist publication, Word and Way, and is the communications specialist for the Baptist General Convention of Missouri.

Jim Hill, executive director of the convention, says Kaylor is creative and passionate. “I think (Brian) has some significant insight that he provides in a colorful way,” Hill says about Kaylor’s book.

Kaylor is embracing his new gig as an author, and he is working on his second book about actions that contradict Jesus’ teachings.

“We need more thinking Christians,” he writes in For God’s Sake, Shut Up. “Regardless of how badly you want to say something, stop and think. ... Ask yourself if it is ethical, if it is appropriate, and most importantly, if it will help the cause. If not, for God’s sake (and your own), remain silent.”