Heroes of the Faith

Last night Kim and I had the privilege to attend the 50^th anniversary banquet for the Walter Hoving Home, a Christian rehabilitation program.  Modeled after Teen Challenge, the Walter Hoving home has seen hundreds of women set free from drug and alcohol addiction and set on a new course of life as they experience a nurturing environment, learn new life-skills, and most of all receive spiritual care. 

I remember as a child and teen how every year on Thanksgiving Eve, the women of the Walter Hoving Home would come to our home church in Spring Valley, NY. The women would sing and share their testimonies under the direction of Elsie Benton, followed with a message by John Benton. (The Bentons were the founders of the ministry.)  After the service, the women would join us for a time of refreshments and then be sent off with bags of groceries for their Thanksgiving meal. 

Last night I suddenly found myself face to face with the Bentons.  They are, of course, much older and a bit frail. Yet, as they were making their way through the crowd of people who had come to the banquet, they greeted people and stopped for pictures.  I greeted them, told them of my childhood memory, and that I am now a pastor of a church that supports the ministry.  We took a picture together. And, I felt like I had just taken a picture with a couple of heroes!

Kim and I with the John & Elsie Benton 

I’m sure if the Bentons were walking through an airport, few people would stop and ask them for an autograph or a photo. After all, they’re not rock stars, actors, or athletes.  Few people would recognize them or have any idea what they have accomplished through their lives. Yet, their achievements far outweigh those of the man or woman who can sing or act or hit a ball or throw a pass.  Through their lives hundreds of women have been brought into a relationship with Jesus Christ, set free from lives of addiction, and had their lives restored.  That is truly much more significant than what any rock star, actor, or athlete can accomplish on a stage, a screen, or field. 

The writer of the book of Hebrews writes a whole chapter wherein he lists heroes of the faith—i.e. men and women of faith—and citing their accomplishments. At the end of that chapter he says, “These were all commended for their faith….” (Hebrews 11:39 – NIV)  He then goes on to write, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us….” (Hebrews 12:1 – NIV)

John and Elsie Benton are two people who will one day be “commended for their faith” and who will one day become a part of that “great cloud of witnesses.”  In the meantime, they are two people whose lives even now challenge and inspire the rest of us to keep on running this race called the life of faith.  I count them as heroes of the faith. 

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris