Suzie BensonFinancial Secretary
Where were you raised and how did you come to Bradley Epworth?
I was born and raised in Peoria. I came to Bradley Epworth because Pastor Tom did the funeral service for my cousin Chuck, who attended B.E. Chuck was a very hard worker and worked at St.FrancisHospital many years. He would help anyone at anytime. He had a severe speech impediment and when Pastor Tom did his funeral service, Pastor said, “Isn’t it good that Chuckie had an impediment of speech rather than an impediment of his heart”?
I wanted to hear more from this pastor, and I asked my cousin Betty (Chuck’s sister), where the church was, and a couple of weeks later we were there. It was all such a God thing, because I was saying to God—“but it’s a MethodistChurch.” I had some preconceived notions and questions going on in my head as we were listening to the sermon, but it was as if God handed Pastor Tom a list of my questions and they were answered one by one. When we left I knew this was where we were supposed to be, and the rest is history.
How did you come to know Jesus?
I came to know Jesus at South Side Church of God (based in Anderson, IN) in Peoria. I visited that church with a friend of mine and it was her grandparents’ church and they would pick us up on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and on Thursday night for prayer meeting. My friend eventually quit going to church, but Brother and Sister Sloan continued to pick me up. I guess it was then that I no longer considered myself a visitor but a regular. Our Pastor, Brother Tawny, was such a good and gentle teacher of the word, and I remember going to the altar when I was 11 yrs old and humbling myself before God with many of the church matriarchs praying and crying with me. I was so shy, but somehow I found myself on my knees in front of the church. It will always be a precious memory, and I still wonder how I got there.
Share about a favorite Bible verse and how God has used it in your life.
“If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). I knew God went to the cross and died for me so ALL my sins would be forgiven—not just from my past but those I make now and will make in the future.
“Delight thyself also in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalm 37:4). As a baby Christian I was so happy to read this verse. I thought, wow, if I love God then life will be a piece of cake and I will get whatever I wanted. As I matured I found I wanted more and more of HIM and less and less the desires of the flesh. God has given me so much love, goodness, mercy and grace. When I was very sick in 2007, His love and peace were so present inside me that I thought I was going to burst wide open. What a Gift! I still get weepy thinking about that. Today and always my desire is to continue to grow and have more and more of HIM and to put God’s word in the very depths of my heart and mind.
Who inspires you and why?
People who love God and love other people inspire me—our church pastors, the prayer warriors, and so many others. But if I have to pick one person, it would be my husband, Harry. He has grown so much over these last few years and has such a selfless heart and so much love and tenderness toward people. He is gift God gave to me.
Tell us about your family.
Twenty-one years ago we became a blended family with five children: John, Mindy, Todd, Eric, and Scott. We have eleven grandchildren. All our family lives in Bartonville, except Scott, who lives in Chicago. We thoroughly enjoy loving on all eleven grandchildren and spending time with our children.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
When I have spare time I enjoy Bible word studies, watching gospel music videos, reading, walking (rarely happens), sewing (doing more than I used to!), and talking with my friends about Jesus.
How do you serve at Bradley Epworth?
I serve in prayer, finance, and ushering.
What do you desire to see God do in the Peoria area?
My desire is to have God stop people, media, etc from putting labels on people. It doesn’t matter what color we are, where we are from, what our jobs are, the neighborhood we live in…we are all God’s creation.
I want to see God bring the churches together in unity and to speak out more against all the unbiblical laws….I want to see us love our neighbors and do unto others as we would do to ourselves…For this city to be known for: Praise, Everlasting, Our, Risen, Inerrant, Almighty!
Do you have a favorite restaurant?
Gill’s in HannaCity.
Any little-known facts about you?
I make greeting cards and sometimes write poems on the cards I send.
I’m one of seven children and my four sisters, and I have a sleepover once a year. We alternate homes so each one of us can be the hostess. We’ve been doing this since 1999 when our dad died, and we decided that life is too short not to spend some quality time together.
I’ve known my best friend since September 1955.
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