local storiesDecember 19, 2024

Check Out Benjamin Gideon’s Story

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Gideon

Hi Benjamin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Before I was born my parents could not have children. They tried IVF, adoption and natural means, however, they could not conceive. One day, back in 1991, a relative received a message from the Lord, Jesus Christ. She relayed the following to my parents, who were trying to have children for over 10 years, without success:

“You will have a son and his name must be Benjamin. With this child comes a promise – that your home must be like a church; no alcohol may enter, you must fast and pray on bread and water for 7 days and you must refrain from having intimate relations with your husband for 7 days. On the 8th day, you will come together and you will conceive. Like I give, I take away. ”

To my parents amazement, they thought my aunt had lost her mind. Their doctors at the time told them that if they were to give them a percentage rate of conception, it would be less than 0%. With that said, my parents had a choice to make – trust the science and the doctors, or trust in God. My father, encouraged my mother at that time saying, “We’ve tried everything, why don’t we try God.”

Even though He was their last hope and even though my parents were not religious at the time, their desperation drove them to an openness that they did not possess previously. My mother obeyed the prophetic message and asked God for grace, since she had issues in her gut. She fasted for 28 days instead, on a much easier diet, but believed God by faith.

Sure enough, shortly after, my mother went for a check-up. To their utter amazement, my mother was pregnant. The same doctors who declared that my mother had a dead womb, now declared the miracle that took place in her womb.

Fast forward to age 12: I was attending a church called The Early Church, which is in now in Northridge. One day, during youth group, the pastor asked each youth what the most important job in the world was. One answered, “A doctor;” another answered, “an astronaut” and others answered in a similar fashion. When the question was pitched to me – I immediately, with conviction declared, “A pastor!”

The pastor asked me, “why?” I answered, “because they care for the souls of people.” He answered me that day, “that’s right.” From that moment, something was sealed in my heart and I knew that Jesus was going to call me into the ministry one day.

From the moment I received the call, I prayed against it for 10 years. I didn’t want to be a pastor. The sacrifice, the pain, the persecution and the moral standard required were all very intimidating to me. However, after reluctantly saying, “Yes” after that 10 year period, God began to set the path my feet should walk to get to where I am today.

Skipping many steps and a lengthy article, God planted the church during COVID in July of 2020, in a backyard in Santa Clarita, CA. From the backyard, God grew the church and granted us a kids classroom to rent for 3 years and in October of 2023, we signed our first storefront lease. We just turned 4 years old on July 21st, 2024 and we give God all the glory.

A church that contained 5 members at some points, has now been increased between 70-100 members, if you count those online. We can’t wait to see what God will do next.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not everything has been smooth, however, everything has had immense purpose. Some of the challenges we have faced and continue to face along the way include, but are not limited to: The cost of doing ministry and living in California, especially for young people that are hoping to achieve great things, with limited resources. I’ve witnessed multiple members of our church buckle under the pressure of their financial hardship, with tears flowing down their cheeks.

In addition to financial struggles, others have faced family issues – whether that be in relationship between parent and child, husband and wife, or even, extended family.

Moreover, we have had some struggles in finding talented musicians, who are not already using their gift to glorify God elsewhere. We are blessed with those Jesus has sent us and we are grateful for the growth in the team that leads us in worship weekly, however, it was a struggle for a while.

Some other unforeseen struggles included finding a physical place for our community to call home, affording that place, furnishing it and setting it up for the community.

Media and technology has also posed challenges when new programs are added for better functionality of our equipment – whether that be for music, security, live-stream, our church app or online presence.

Although many of these struggles are outward – we’ve also contended to stay in the will of God, the presence of God and the word of God – through various emotions, mind sets and etc.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
One of the greatest joys I have in shepherding Rest in Grace Church, is seeing real people, find real community as they find the True and Living God. We love watching people come alive and be filled with joy, peace and hope – especially when people feel dry or dead inside.

We specialize in keeping things simple, while working hard to ensure that everyone feels like they are truly a part of this very special community.

We are known for the love and hospitality we provide to all of those who walk into the church.

What sets us apart is the authenticity. We are not doing this to reach your pocket book; we are not doing this for a platform; we are not doing this to be relevant – we are doing this because Jesus is Lord and He loves you. We are indebted to Him forever and long simply to involve others in our family and in His kingdom – for the betterment of their lives individually and our community as a whole.

The thing that I am the most grateful for is the presence of God and the miracles that come with it. We’ve seen people get set free from demonic oppression (exorcisms), become set free from addictions and become whole again. We’ve seen people heal from cancer miraculously and seen the Holy Spirit speak to people very personally and expose painful traumas that got healed. We are grateful that God is with us.

I want every reader to know that if you want Jesus, He is available to you. If you want a loving community in Santa Clarita, we are here. If you want to seek the truth and know it, we are here to help. You are not alone. If you can’t make it in person, join our community online.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
TO PARTNER WITH US, PLEASE DONATE: WWW.RIGCHURCH.ORG/GIVE (WEEKLY/MONTHLY/ANNUALLY)

We need all the help that we can get. The mission is huge and the workers are often fewer than the vision merits. With that said, we reach out to the homeless quarterly – any financial, resourceful or personal help in getting them what they need is always appreciated.

We always need financial support because our vision is bigger than our budget. We tend to help others in the community financially when they are in need, from time to time – along with helping various missionaries from time to time. We are always trying to build God’s kingdom.

Moreover, we need help with exposure. Many people are praying to be a part of something that they don’t know exists. We want to be visible to the people searching for us, as we are praying for them.

Other kinds of help include, but are not limited to: Christian Counseling (whether that be marriage, family or personal), resources for those who have dreams to write books, create music or etc., but don’t have the finances for services such as recording studios or writing spaces and etc.

We also love doing events in and for our community. Open spaces, food and drink donations, technology donations, donations of services to help those in need – any of these things may help.

Another way to help is to follow us on social media, subscribe and share videos relevant to those in your sphere of influence.

Lastly, we always need Bibles. we are always aiming to give them out in our outreaches. The Word of God is free, but the materials to print it with can be costly when in large volumes.

TO PARTNER WITH US, PLEASE DONATE: WWW.RIGCHURCH.ORG/GIVE (WEEKLY/MONTHLY/ANNUALLY)

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