Meet Your Neighbor Pastor Jim Bennett of the Rozetta Baptist Church where he has pastored for the past six years.
The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Susan Galbraith, Quill Reporter
Meet Your Neighbor Pastor Jim Bennett of the Rozetta Baptist Church where he has pastored for the past six years.
He and his family live in the parsonage near the church.
He previously was employed by WDLM (Moody Radio) in the Quad Cities. Even though he enjoyed his job there he said, "I needed to be a pastor full time."
Pastor Bennett was born in Monmouth and raised in rural Monmouth.
In 1985 he graduated from Warren High School and continued his education at Monmouth College receiving an English degree in 1998.
His mom and dad, Chuck and Mary Bennett, are deceased.
He has one brother, Ben, who lives in Monmouth and is employed as a computer technician at Alpha Omega and a sister, Carla (Stan) Lodwick. Carla is a homemaker and Stan is employed at the YMCA.
He and his wife, Missy, have been married for 17 years.
They have 7 daughters, Krystal (Nick) Carlson of Monmouth. Krystal is a labor and delivery nurse at OSF St. Mary's Hospital and Nick is employed by the County Extension Office in Aledo, Lyndsay lives in Peoria and is activities director for a nursing home in Peoria, Kayla (Ryan) Damer live in Oneida. Kayla is employed by Knoxville Nursing Home and Ryan is a sheet metal worker, Grace (13), Hannah (9), Mary (6), Mercy (5), and 3 sons, Jamie (12), Daniel (8), and Sam (4). The younger children are home schooled.
He and Missy have two grandchildren Asher (3) and Jayla (2) and are expecting another beautiful grandchild in April.
Pastor Bennett and Missy like to travel to Chicago a couple of times a year to spend some "couple time" together checking out the sights.
He enjoys firearms, target shooting, writing and playing the guitar.
Pastor Bennett has taken many young people on short-term mission trips. He said, "Those participating range in age from 14 through college age. Their trips have taken them to the West Virginia Applachians, the American Indian Orphanage in Joseph City, Arizona, Innercity mission project in Atlanta, Georgia, Grenada Island and an inntercity church in Chicago. During those mission trips he and the youth conduct vacation Bible schools for those without resources, went door to door witnessing and helped with whatever church projects that needed done.
When asked what he enjoyed about being pastor of the Rozetta Baptist Church he said, "It is a wonderful congregation. I am blessed by their ministries and they are one of my greatest joys. I also have a passion for teaching and preaching the Bible."