An Avenue of Service to God

For John and Shirley Bennett, TEAM was not only their “avenue of service to God,” as Shirley says, but also how the Lord brought them together. Their story is a beautiful testimony of the Lord’s work in and through them.

“His Only Intention” – John’s Story  

John first felt a calling to missions when he was a young man serving stateside in the U.S. Navy. John went on to college and medical school, his commitment to serve in cross-cultural missions unwavering. As Shirley says, “his only intention” in becoming a doctor was to serve in medical mission work.

In 1958, John began serving with TEAM as a family practice physician in South Africa. John’s first wife, Betty, developed cancer in 1970, and the couple returned to the U.S. with their children for her treatment.

John’s commitment to the work of missions continued as he became the Medical Director at TEAM’s headquarters in Wheaton, Illinois. After Betty passed away, John prayed that the Lord might provide a new helpmate – one who shared his interest in missions and who could help care for his five children.  

“I’ll give You my best.” – Shirley’s Story  

Shirley also heard the call to missions as a young adult. She served 11 years in Zimbabwe (then called Southern Rhodesia). Shirley held administrative posts as well as leading Bible classes among African women.

Always eager to be where God called her, Shirley later returned to the U.S. to fill a much-needed role as Administrative Assistant to TEAM’s International Director, Dr. Vernon Mortensen.

Shirley shares that her heart’s desire had always been to marry, but single at age 40, she chose to trust God’s plan, no matter what. She says, “I told the Lord, ‘I’m willing to forget about marriage, and I’ll give You my best [in my work].'”

A Match Made in…the Home Office

Although Shirley had surrendered her desire to marry, God had a surprise for her! By 1975, John and Shirley’s paths had crossed in their home office duties. John noted Shirley’s commitment to the Lord’s work through TEAM, and their connection grew. Shirley knew something was up when John called repeatedly to check on the health of one of their co-workers. “I knew he was concerned,” she begins with a smile, “but I also knew he was calling me more than he needed to.”

The couple married and continued to serve through TEAM for many years. In fact, Shirley’s tenure with TEAM extended through four International Directors! Though John passed away in October 2018, his family is thriving. Shirley is the proud grandmother of 16 and great-grandmother to 6 (and counting!).

An Avenue of Service That Lives On

In many ways, John and Shirley’s lives have been marked by service to the Lord. In that same spirit, John and Shirley made the decision to include TEAM in their will when they first married, and they’ve never wavered in that conviction.

Shirley shares this: “As a married couple, it’s important to discuss finances in general. To plan where our money will go was a natural part of those discussions.” Shirley says it was important to her and John to include the children in their estate, of course, but also to ensure that the work to which they dedicated their lives can continue after they are gone.

“TEAM’s priority is to share God’s word worldwide,” says Shirley. “Whether involved in medical, education, church planting or other means, we are commanded to ‘go into all the world and preach the Gospel.'”

Shirley encourages those who are considering a planned gift to TEAM. “Anyone who is planning to give to TEAM can be assured that their gift will be used judiciously, wisely, and frugally,” she says. Her hope is that “many more individuals will see TEAM as their ‘avenue of service to God.'”

Your gift to the Global Outreach Fund (or GO Fund), allows us to send hundreds of TEAM workers to serve alongside local believers in over 40 countries. Together, we make disciples who make disciples of all nations. Will you partner with us in this transformational work?

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