"Bennett Chapel Family Ministry" Bishop W.C. & Donna Martin "Beacon of Light" ~ Fall 2008 ~
After seeing a short segment about Bishop Martin and his spiritual work on the national news a few weeks back, we were so impressed that we decided to present an additional Beacon of Light Award this year.
"Saving a Generation" through Adoption and the Demonstration of God's for His Children ~ is the mission for this family ministry located in the small town of Center, Texas. It all began in 1997 when Bishop Martin, his wife Donna and her sister Diann Sparks began a process which ultimately changed their lives forever. They started adoption classes in order to adopt and foster children who were in great need of loving homes.
Diann adopted two boys, and the Martins adopted and fostered four children. Very soon others at Bennett Chapel took up the challenge of ministry in adopting and fostering children who were in great need of loving homes. Now, here at the close of 2008, 25 families have adopted an amazing number of 100+ children and there are more classes being held for parents preparing to adopt more children. Not one of these beautiful children have had to be returned to the state; they are all in loving and caring homes, and under the guidance and strong leadership of Bishop W.C. and Donna Martin, these families are providing love and life to these high-risk children and the youth in the community who may need to overcome many problems ~ in essence this community is Saving a Generation.
I spoke with Bishop Martin a short time ago and I was humbled and amazed at his deep and abiding love for all God's children ~ but especially those from less-than-stellar backgrounds, those children who have been continually downtrodden or discarded by others. As Bishop Martin pointed out to me, the concept of adoption begins with God, so should we do no less?
Bishop Martin has written a wonderful book about his experiences with adoption ~ "Small Town, Big Miracle" ~ which speaks about the nuts and bolts end of adoption, as well as the immeasurable rewards brought to him and his community by the love and positive growth of a new generation ~ a generation this community has loving decided to embrace and help grow. His work and his book were also seen on Oprah recently ~ www.oprah.com .
Currently, over 100 children are in the care of the Bennett Chapel and surrounding community of adoptive families. I am honored to have met Bishop Martin ~ even over the telephone ~ and here at the National InterFaith Council, we are honored to know someone living the principals of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis, and for that ~ we honor Bishop W.C. & Donna Martin, Diann Sparks, and the entire Bennett Chapel Ministry with our Beacon of Light Award!
The Martins and their work continue on each and every day. I invite you to visit their website ~ not only to get to know them, but perhaps to purchase a copy of their book ~ but even more so, to consider making a donation to their children ~ their children, who now have a future, and who are also our future.
