Chuck Benson
Visitation Minister

Acts 21:17-21  From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.  When they arrived, he said to them:  "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, fromt he first day I came into the province of Asia.  I served the Lord with great humilty and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.  You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.  I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they mus turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus."

I consider it a tremendous privilege to be the Visiation Minister at Chisholm Baptist.  I take the responsibility very seriously because it is a vital ministry of our church.  When people are unable to get out, or are in the hospital or nursing home, the only link to church and friends is a visit or a phone call.  People want to stay connected, so it is important for us to reach out to them in some way.  A face to face visit always works best, but sometimes even a phone call or an e-mail will lift their spirits and brighten their day.

Many of you have made my job much easier because you also have been out there visiting and ministering to the people in our church family.  Thank you, Deacons and Deaconesses, and so many others for your concern and help in this area of ministry.  The Lord is pleased and will reward you when you see Him.

I want to thank all of those whom I have spent time with this past year for your graciousness when I came knocking.  I didn’t get a single door slammed in my face!  The coffee and cookies were great, but getting to know you better was the best part of the visit. 

It was a joy to be able to pray for people and their concerns about health, family matters, for friends and loved ones.  As I leave each place, it seems I am more encouraged than those I have visited.

Visitation is a great ministry.  Try it and you might find that you like it.  But, even if you don’t, the ones you have spent time with will truly appreciate it.