October 4, 2012
Dear Saints:
This correspondence comes to you at the request of the Adjutant General, Bishop Matthew Williams.
It is with great regret that I inform you of the passing of Bishop Bennie Roberts Benbow, Sr., Prelate of the California Southwest Jurisdiction. He will be sorely missed, but we find comfort in knowing that earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.
The Benbow Family and the jurisdiction are in need of our fervent prayers. Click here for final arrangements. As the information is given to the adjutancy, we will forward it to you as soon as possible.
If I can be of further assistance, please call my office at 501.332.6897.
In His Service,
Superintendent Robert G. Rudolph, Jr.
Scribe of the National Adjutancy
First of all, May the Blessings of the Lord be upon the immediate Family of our late Bishop Bennie Roberts Benbow,and to the Jurisdictional Family as well. If I may, I would like to refer to our Bishop as the Old Lion. I've chose this expression because of his valor in spiritual battle(s), and the spiritual manes that were apparent in his powerful witness of the Lord's ability to sustain his people, whatever the challenge or situation. This Old Lion showed no fear of his adversaries, none that I witnessed, and it seems evident that he will receive Battle Ribbons for his grand march of courage, that can only be awarded by heaven highest, the Lord God Himself. Well, we shall not forget some of his saying . . . "Get A Good Hold on God and Don't Let Go!" . . ."Bitter Experiences Produce Sweet Testimonies!" There were many others, but we the Saints of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of California Southwest will remember his shout of the word s,"Glory To God!" It seems as if only he could say it in the tone of which it was uttered. Bishop Bennie Roberts Benbow, we now say, "Glory To God" for all of His goodness and the prowess of the Old Lion that walked among us for so many years. No, We Won't Forget! Humbly, Eld. C.D. Knowles, Jr.
I am deeply moved by the passing of our dear Bishop, Bishop Bennie Roberts Benbow. The reason being that, the day I was introdused to him as our bishop, was the FIRST and LAST for me to meet him. He prayed for me, invited me into the Jurisdiction and spoke the following words: "It is hard to deal with people who don't understand. They think you are against them when you are trying to help them, but you get a firm hold on God and stay with the church!" I take this very serious and wish to extend the same words to the Bishops, family, pastors and the rest of the brethren to stick together, get a firm hold on God and stay with the church in unity. May the Lord empower, strengthen and keep you all as we celebrate the departure of this great man of God. Amen.
Pastor Ben Wachiye