“Benny, I just knew God was going to use you, I wasn’t sure how, but I knew He would. It was either that…or prison!” My mother told me that right after I had told her I dedicated my life to the ministry.  It’s funny really, because whenever I think about myself, that is the image that comes to mind: me, a thirteen year old kid, short and stout, standing in the kitchen, hugging my mom as she cried into my chest telling me how proud she was of me. I had God and my mother behind me; I felt like I could change the world. 

I share that because that’s when the trajectory of my life changed forever.  I got a glimpse of a life that was far beyond what I envisioned for myself.  I share that because I know many of you have had very similar moments - the kind of moments that come and go without a fan fair or a chorus.  Those sort of ordinary moments that God takes and makes them extraordinary.

Though I do not claim any great accomplishments, when I compare myself to that pudgy thirteen year old kid, all I can do is marvel at where God has brought me (although the pudginess is still my closest companion).

My journey really kicked into high gear when I went to Trinity.  It was there where I learned the meaning of the word “shame” as I stared into the piercing eyes of Dr. Cash having admitted that I failed to read my 10 chapters.  But I also met my beautiful wife, Emory, at Trinity and we’ll be celebrating our fourth wedding anniversary this October.  We’re also expecting our first child, a baby girl by the name of Piper Mercy who will arrive this fall.  Let’s hope she takes after her mother.

In 2012, Emory and I accepted a position at Calvary Baptist Church in Ball Ground, GA.  I have the privilege of serving in a variety of capacities, but my primary concern is with students, grades six through college.

God has allotted us unique opportunities to get involved in the community.  The most surprising of which, is that of being the chaplain of a high school football team.  Any of my friends can tell you that I am as adept at sports as a politician is at telling the truth.  But despite my lack of athletic prowess, we saw two football players get saved toward the end of last season.  There is something surreal about seeing a burly fullback ask Jesus Christ into his heart in a place that has rejected God.

In June 2013, we were able to go on our first mission trip to Queens, New York where we assisted Pastor Dan Shafer in providing relief efforts to the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Nothing was more humorous than seeing a bunch of country bumpkins ride the subway into Time Square for the first time. (I hope none of my people read this.) It was a great experience for our teens who had never ventured outside of the state of Georgia. Lord-willing, we will be taking our first international mission trip to help the Lyons family in Ecuador during the summer of 2015.

It’s been encouraging to see our young people grow.  We serve a wonderful group of teens and college students. It’s a rush…a thrill…a crazy scary journey, but we wouldn’t be anywhere else.