Here’s another interview with another person I met through Fans For Christ, Deborah Benjamin.
1. What was your childhood like?
I was raised in a small Midwestern town. My father was a factory worker and my mom was a housekeeper at a local nursing home. We attended church every Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. If there was a special service or a tent meeting or a revival, we were there. The only time you missed church was because of serious illness. My father was abusive and had a terrible temper. He also had learning difficulties and was almost illiterate. My mother was a high school dropout but went back to receive her GED after I was born. I have a brother with learning difficulties and a sister with emotional problems and some physical issues as a result of a car accident several years ago. My father passed away when I was 12, leaving my mom with three children. We were very poor and my mother struggled to make ends meet. Church was very important. I spent a lot of time helping lead song service and singing specials for the congregation. I also taught Sunday school and felt called to be a youth minister when I was a sophomore in high school. She remarried when I was 15 and I acquired two more brothers and a sister.
2. I’ve seen your posts about the ministry. Can you tell me about that?
My husband and I attended two different bible colleges and we have done ministry off and on over our almost 20 years of marriage. We are both licensed ministers with the Assemblies of God. I have over 10 years of youth ministry experience. We currently pastor a very small church in rural Iowa. Our congregation runs about 20 on Sunday. I lead worship and sometimes preach when my husband is sick.
3. What evidence can you give for God’s existence?
I believe that the evidence I have for the existence of God can be seen in the miraculous things I have experienced. My husband was miraculously healed of scoliosis. He had had it for most of his life and was told that eventually he would have to have surgery and probably be confined to a wheelchair. When my son was almost 2 years old, Todd was prayed for and was instantly healed. He no longer has pain and is able to do things he was not able to do before. I have seen our niece healed of Stage 4 non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I have witnessed a juvenile delinquent surrender his life to Christ and have a total transformation and change his ways. I have felt His presence. Even though I was abused by my earthly father, I have felt the love of my Heavenly Father. He has encouraged me and corrected me and loved me in spite of myself.
4. Tell me about your kid.
We have a 8 year old wonderfully compassionate boy named Lucian. Todd and I were married almost 11 years when he was born. He is in the second grade. He loves video games, art, music, Power Rangers, Super Heroes, Science, Animals, etc. He wants to be a zookeeper when he grows up. He also loves to go to church and read his Action Bible.
5. What’s your favorite bible verse?
My favorite Scripture is Psalm 13. When I am feeling alone or depressed or feel that the world is against me I can read this Scripture and know that I can trust in His unfailing love.
6. Who’s your favorite biblical figure besides Jesus?
I think that I really relate to Deborah. When everyone else was doing what was right in their own eyes, she had the determination to stand for what was right. She lead the people into battle and proclaimed that the Lord would be victorious. Because Barak would not take charge of the army and would not go into battle without Deborah, she prophesied that a woman would go down in history as the one who would lead the people to victory. She was right! Jael drove the tent spike into the enemy’s temple! She was a strong woman during a time when women customarily were not seen in powerful positions. She was wise and she heard from the Lord.
7. Who inspires you to be a better person?
My son inspires me to be a better person. I watch him watch me. I want Him to see Jesus in me. I want Him to see an example of how to live an upright life. I watch how compassionate and caring he is and how insightful he is and want to be the best example of a Godly woman that I can be.
8. What made you decide your profession?
I am currently looking for a high school teaching position. I think I have always been drawn to teaching in some form or fashion. In fact, I believe that I am more of a teacher than a preacher. When we took our current pastorate position I applied for a job at the local high school as a paraeducator in an English and Reading classroom. I instantly fell in love. I went back to school and received a post baccalaureate degree and obtained my teaching license. I love to teach kids to read and to express themselves through writing. I believe that every student has a voice that needs to be and should be heard.
Aspie Catholic 