006573-Benke,Nathan
Evangelism Catalyst
Southcliff Baptist
November 14
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About My Family
I grew up on a farm just west of San Antonio, Texas. Adventure such as fishing, hunting and sports was my passion. In my teens I started hanging out with the wrong crowd, which led to several years of drug and alcohol use. Some of my closest friends died in those days.
At the age of 22 the Lord Jesus totally changed my life. Terri and I met a year later and married in 1984. The Lord called me into ministry four years after we were married. We left our farm and home in 1993 to attend Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. Southcliff Baptist is our home church where we have been active members since moving to Fort Worth.
The Lord led me to evangelism and discipleship with youth in prisons for nine years. During those days, I discipled students one-on-one, spoke in chapel services, wrote Bible study lessons for teachers and trained others to minister to these youth. In this setting I learned firsthand the power of God in changing the hardest of hearts. Many of the skills of Bible teaching and evangelism I use today came out of what I learned in the youth prisons.
Terri is involved in several ministries in our church. She heads up a large Angel Tree ministry outreach every year. We have two daughters and a son. Sarah (our oldest) is married to Cameron, and they are school teachers. Evan and Hannah are college students at the University of Texas at Arlington. They are pursuing degrees in nursing and are leaders in the Baptist Collegiate Ministry on campus.
At the age of 22 the Lord Jesus totally changed my life. Terri and I met a year later and married in 1984. The Lord called me into ministry four years after we were married. We left our farm and home in 1993 to attend Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. Southcliff Baptist is our home church where we have been active members since moving to Fort Worth.
The Lord led me to evangelism and discipleship with youth in prisons for nine years. During those days, I discipled students one-on-one, spoke in chapel services, wrote Bible study lessons for teachers and trained others to minister to these youth. In this setting I learned firsthand the power of God in changing the hardest of hearts. Many of the skills of Bible teaching and evangelism I use today came out of what I learned in the youth prisons.
Terri is involved in several ministries in our church. She heads up a large Angel Tree ministry outreach every year. We have two daughters and a son. Sarah (our oldest) is married to Cameron, and they are school teachers. Evan and Hannah are college students at the University of Texas at Arlington. They are pursuing degrees in nursing and are leaders in the Baptist Collegiate Ministry on campus.
About My Ministry
My current ministry started in 2003. While praying on January 1 of that year, the Lord gave me a totally new direction. He called me to travel to the nations to preach. I didn't have a passport or enough money for a missions trip, but in February I was in Kenya preaching God's Word. Since then I have been to many countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America teaching pastors conferences on subjects like the surrendered life, prayer, faith, evangelism, revival, etc. I also do evangelism in schools, prisons, churches and open air crusades.
When in the U.S., I do evangelism outreach from our church, teach teens at a drug rehab facility and teach God's Word wherever He opens a door. My heart is heavy for the nations and the many Christians who live defeated lives. The Lord has also given me a burden for pastors who are struggling. The world's greatest need today is a mighty revival where the church returns to God in full surrender and then goes out to change the world.
When in the U.S., I do evangelism outreach from our church, teach teens at a drug rehab facility and teach God's Word wherever He opens a door. My heart is heavy for the nations and the many Christians who live defeated lives. The Lord has also given me a burden for pastors who are struggling. The world's greatest need today is a mighty revival where the church returns to God in full surrender and then goes out to change the world.
