"Date Night"
Monday, September 24th @ 10:20 PM
This past trip knocked me off my feet - literally.
Friday night after arriving back home in CT, my sleep schedule was so messed up, I slept only three or four hours. This was from going to bed at 1:00 a.m. after packing and getting up at 4:30 a.m. to get ready to leave for some airport.
Five ministry events in three different states in eight days is a lot.
Saturday night I slept ten hours which is unheard of. After church on Sunday, I fell asleep at 12:30 in the afternoon and woke up at dinner time. My body knew what it was lacking.
Today was my first day back at the office and it was wonderful to sit in front of my computer, catch up on a pile of work, and take some calls.
Tonight, Irene and I had "Date Night" - something new we are doing every Monday night - her idea.
Irene loves the NBC series "Heroes". So, after putting the kids to sleep, we cuddled on the bed and watched the one hour season premiere.
It was great just spending time together - just the two of us.
So, off to bed. I'll catch up on the posts hopefully tomorrow about Ft. Lauderdale and North Carolina.
Lord bless you all ~ Stephen
Stephen Bennett
Executive Director ~ SBM, Inc.
1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 5:17
On My Way Back to CT -- Home
Friday, September 21st @ 6:38 AM
Hello all,
6:30 a.m. Friday morning and I am packing my last bag, ready to leave North Carolina.
The event last night at FIRE Church was God anointed. I praise God for Dr. Brown, Frank Turrek and all who participated. There were a few gay activists there, however, they were cordial and we had good dialogue. I hope it continues.
The subject of last night's gathering: "Can One Be 'Gay' and Christian?"
I'll post later tonight about Ft. Lauderdale's Presidential Candidate's Debate, my ride on a yacht with a reception for the Candidates and Leaders at the Debate, as well as last night's event.
These past eight days were truly appointed AND anointed by the Lord! Pray with me for much fruit.
I have to go -- will post some more later.
Blessings and thanks to ALL who have prayed for this very long, yet amazing journey...
In Christ,
Stephen
Stephen Bennett
Executive Director ~ SBM, Inc.
1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 5:17
Day Seven.. One More to Go
Thursday, September 20th @ 9:13 AM
Sorry for the long delay in updates -- it has been one non-stop week of ministry.
It's Thursday morning, Sept. 20th, and I'm in a hotel in North Carolina. After a great night's sleep, I woke up just in time to give Irene and the children a call before they left for school. I miss them so much. Not seeing them for five days is a long time. Thank God for phones and SBM's LIVE Video Chat! (A free service for all of SBM's Monthly Supporters, Bronze Members and higher.)
Fri. 9/14 - Mon. 9/17/07: Northwood Baptist Church; Charleston, SC ~ "The Truth Comes Out About Homosexuality" (Weekend Conference and Sunday Morning, evening services)
Irene, the children and I left CT early on Friday morning for South Carolina. This event at Northwood Baptist Church was in the planning since early this year. My hat goes off to NBC's "CIA" Team, who planned the entire weekend's events. We truly had wonderful turnouts both days.
For Saturday's full day conference, we had over 100 people in attendance. The conference was dedicated to educating believers on a variety of issues concerning homosexuality, the homosexual agenda and how it relates to a Christian Worldview. The topics included:
- Is there really a "gay" agenda?
- What are the implications of such for our children, schools, marriage and society at large?
- Does it really affect me if I don't know anyone personally who identifies as homosexual?
- How do I talk to my kids about this issue since it is "in your face" daily?
- As a Christian, what should I be concerned about and what can I do?
The conference, according to the event's organizers, as well as the pastor, was a complete success. I praise God. The conference was not about "me" -- but about how one can unconditionally love the sinner, not condone the sin of homosexuality and make a major difference in this cultural war we did not begin.
I shared my testimony the first half an hour\ to "set the stage." We had a great time of Q & A, meeting many individuals who had children involved in the lifestyle, parents who lost children to HIV/AIDS, as well as former homosexual men and women in attendance, some sharing their testimonies privately, and others publicly with everyone.
I believe it was one of the best conferences to date, as the audience involvement plays a major part in the event.
Several individuals, both male and female, came up to me privately and shared their struggle with same-sex attraction. We talked, prayed and hugged - I, explaining where they continue from here.
We broke for lunch and the conference organizers brought in Chick-fil-a. WOW! I never had a more delicious chicken sandwich in my life!
After the conference ended, I went back to the hotel to change into my favorite clothes: a t-shirt, shorts and my baseball hat -- and had a few hours to "chill" before meeting with the teens for an informal Q & A session/pizza party.
Two very dear friends (a SBM Board Director and her son) took Irene and the kids out for dinner and down to the beach. All had a wonderful time (they eventually came home - dripping wet from going in the ocean - about 9:30 p.m. that night!)
The youth group time was heartbreaking. Two individuals had a brother who recently "came out" to his family, and was asked to move out at 18 - so he wouldn't influence the other siblings. Well, it seemed the children were obviously affected - hurt, sad, angered and more. We spent the time discussing their situation, their feelings, what God's Word really says in relation to the issue, and then prayed for them.
It was great to get back to the hotel after standing on my feet for most of the day. I caught up on a bit of reading waiting for Irene and the children to return from dinner and the beach. When they got back at 9:30 p.m., the kids were soaked from the ocean, but I couldn't stop hugging them. After showers, we all prayed and cuddled in bed, telling jokes, scratching backs and eventually falling asleep.
Sunday morning, we were up bright and early, dressed for church and left at 8:30 a.m. I needed to do a sound check as I was leading worship that morning.
As people started to arrive, I was amazed at the crowd. They filled an entire gymnasium - upwards of 400-450 people.
I taught Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. and had microphones set up for Q & A. The hour flew by and the audience was extremely attentive and interactive.
Northwood's Sunday Morning Worship Service began at 11:00 am, where I led the worship (congregational and a few solos) and then preached my message "A Heart for the Homosexual - 1 Cor. 6:9-11." Irene and the children were introduced at the end.
Many tears were shed during that service, and many came up to me afterward. God is good. I thank the Lord for those who were open enough to share their struggles, family situations and those who said for the first time their eyes were opened to the truth on this issue like never before.
Irene, the kids and I went back to the hotel and grabbed some lunch at Chili's. I went to the exercise room with my son who now loves lifting weights and walking on the machines, and then rested for Sunday night's closing service. Irene and the children would stay back at the hotel, as they needed to get ready to fly back to CT the next day. I bought then Domino's Pizza and their new Oreo Cookie Dessert pizza (yum!!!) They had "movie night" while I preached from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
It was an extremely busy weekend, yet powerful in ministry. My voice was almost gone by the end of Sunday night.
I want to thank Pastor Sonny, Traci and her committee for the outstanding work they did in organizing the entire weekend's events, and to all of those who participated. By all of the comments from the attendees and organizers, I guess we can really say, "Mission: Accomplished." Thanks again Northwood - Lord bless you all!
Monday morning, I left at 5:00 a.m. for the airport to fly down to Ft. Lauderdale where I was scheduled to speak at the Values Voter Presidential Debate that evening, while Irene and the children flew back to CT.
I'll post about what happened in Florida in the next post.
In a few hours, I am scheduled to speak at Fire Church in North Carolina with Dr. Michael Brown and others. Please pray for me for this event, as well as the other speakers and attendees.
Now, it's about 12:20 p.m. and I have to begin ironing my suit for tonight. Seeing I only have about five hours, if I start ironing now, I should be done in time. 
(I don't know how to iron well. Pray I don't ruin my clothes. Irene said to put a pillow case over the clothes and then iron. Here I go...)
God bless you all and I'll try to post again later. ~ Stephen Bennett
Stephen Bennett
Executive Director ~ SBM, Inc.
1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 5:17
