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November 2004 will mark my thirty-sixth year of service to Christian Renewal Association's ministry to the whole body of believers in America and to many parts of the world. I did not know that after my late husband, Dennis Bennett died, on November 1, 1991, I would be able to carry on our ministry for these thirteen additional years.
Dan Brady, our gifted CPA's first words to me a new widow were, "Rita, you're going to grow a lot!" As I became president and CEO of this Charitable Organization, I found Dan to be so very right. In the summer of 1991, I was in the process of renewing CRA's 501-c-3 status which was confirmed right after Dennis died. That process was quite a job in itself. I also learned to keep all the financial records for annual reports to the City, State, and Federal governments. Running bi-annual Board Meetings, and working with our lawyers was also new.
Taking on the job of writing quarterly newsletters was a leap in the dark for me and to my amazement has continued for well over a decade with a 5,000 person mailing list. I'd been a typist for years, but Dennis initially taught me to use the computer and I have of necessity grown in those skills.
When Dennis and I, and his secretary Florence Dressell, incorporated as a Nonprofit Organization, November 29, 1968, I never imagined that this would become a life-work for us, and then later for me alone. Our Lord simply told us clearly to begin and we did. Early in our marriage, I had never asked Dennis to allow me to continue teaching school or doing social work, my two professions, as my work became helping my husband and traveling with him in ministry.
I've had wonderful staff members over these years, though in February we lost Gigi Esnough to her retirement but gained Randi Bishop formerly with Aglow International. Patty Pierson, as it was with Gigi, has been employed part time with me since 1992 and we've worked closely as a team to create graphic designs and colorful artwork that decorate our syllabi, newsletters, bookmarks, and more. Rick Pierson, comes in quarterly to get the mailing list in order for our Mailing Bureau, plus the e-mail list for those outside our country who want our publications. John Watson is our fine Webmaster.
Today, my commitment to the mission of Christian Renewal Association and its calling to draw souls into the loving, healing, empowering, delivering arms of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is stronger than ever. What a blessing it has been for me over the years to see souls set free in the Prayer Counseling Ministries of my own seminars, as well as happens in the many Emotionally Free seminars that are being taught by teachers in other states in our country: Florida, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington State, as well as Tanzania, East Africa. Go to our website to see who these teachers are and please pray for them, as well as for me. My goal is for Emotionally Free Teachers to multiply, growing into other states in the USA, and the world. The USA needs the Emotionally Free message as never before! I'm appalled at the stories I hear on the news and through e-mail media today. Sitting a few hours in church on Sunday morning is not enough to grow strong, army of God, world changing believers.
Certainly there are struggles in this Christian Renewal ministry, assisting the needy, trouble shooting problems, and spending long nights on my computer to keep this work running smoothly. Yet I do not find myself weary; to God be the glory. On the contrary, I'm constantly challenged to upgrade my materials, to grow and share my growth, to do things better than ever, to feed God's sheep. Your prayers are part of my strength. The Apostle Paul says, "Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:9,10 KJV mod). This is God's Word to me and to you, as we do our best to follow His calling to plant seeds into healthy soil prepared for the Harvest.
In many ways, after these thirty-six years, I know I haven't arrived. After I have an opportunity to witness to someone in a restaurant or the grocery store-as happened recently-I'm on cloud nine, only to find my feet of clay may show up sometimes in my own office. I'm constantly learning and re-learning. Yet the call remains so I get on my knees and offer my weakness and my willingness to the Lord, for as long as He chooses to used me in this ministry. Personally, I have no plans to stop. Paul said it this way, "I press on . . ."
1. Without making Jesus Lord, which followed my Baptism with the Holy Spirit, I would have failed a long time ago. In fact, I wouldn't have gotten started. These two experiences were for me absolutely vital.
2. Wonderful as it is, I've found that for many -- Baptism with the Holy Spirit isn't enough. Numbers of people have fallen by the wayside because they have not received Inner Healing Prayer ministry. There are many wounded Christians who show up with various Addictions, Multiple Personality splits from childhood sexual abuse, and lack of nurturing in childhood, that need further prayer help.
3. I'm in Spiritual Warfare frequently either for myself or for others. Each believer is in Spiritual Warfare whether he or she realizes it or not. Often we are not equipped to fight the battle with the proper armor and we use carnal means which will not do the job. Through the Emotionally Free Course, we help fill the need when a believer has not been taught this important information.
4. I've been called by God to be a Prayer Counselor which The Great Counselor reaffirmed to me very strongly several days after I returned from my trip to Israel December 2003. I am a licensed Counselor with the State of Washington though I have to be selective since my office schedule is quite full.
5. I've grown more aware that Bible study, all sixty six books, is my most important activity. We are not properly educated or prepared without it. Every believer should make it his or her life's work to study and understand the entire Bible. Capable Teachers are needed to help us in our Biblical knowledge, yet we have scores of Bible translations and commentaries to help us also.
6. Since 1991, I've prayed daily for God's Kingdom through the Lord's Prayer. I believe in being a part of the answer by helping those people less fortunate than I. My mission trip to Ethiopia, meeting and praying with Lepers, orphaned children, and men and women in prison, was an incredible experience in 2002. Like our Emotionally Free teacher and missionary, Gail Patton, when prepared you too could possibly travel to Tanzania, East Africa with her and SOMA to help teach the Emotionally Free Course, now in the Kiswahili language. CRA helps to support Ethiopia, East Africa, and Israel.
7. I've seen the importance of the Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit in my life since 1960. How needed these gifts of the Spirit have been for me, as they are for all believers. In church at St. Paul's Episcopal in Bellingham, Washington a week ago, May 23rd, I just "happened" to sit behind a couple who at the end of the service recognized me. The man said, "When you were visiting Hawaii 30 years ago, you prayed for me to be Baptized with the Spirit. I was a college professor and I still remember what you told me. It was that I needed to lay my intellect on the altar!" I smiled in amazement. Then his wife said "And Dennis prayed with me for the same experience at that time!" How did the Holy Spirit direct me to sit behind them so they could give me this encouraging message and I could reciprocally encourage them?
But there are so many people to be reached. "The Harvest is great, but the laborers are still few..." ( Luke 10:2 KJV) So many of our youth are being influenced by our secular culture that promotes life without God. The younger generation needs the empowering of the Holy Spirit and Inner Healing to use their vitality to make a difference in the world. Please get ready to answer God's call and mission for you.
• Pray and then pray some more. Pray with your understanding and pray in the Spirit also. Put on the Armor of God daily. We have a helpful booklet "How to Put on the Whole Armor of God." Pray the Lord's Prayer daily for yourself and then personalize it for others. Pray for the worldwide community of believers of all denominations including your own. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, your hometown, and the world. Join a prayer group.
• Get Involved. Come to events in your own parish, and come to Christian Renewal Association Seminars with us at our headquarters on the West Coast in the Spring and Summer. Go to our website www.EmotionallyFree.org to see our detailed schedules and speakers. Mark them on your calendar. Print off copies and give them out to your friends. Print and hand out our newsletters.
• Witness. Talk to others about what God has done for you. People are eager to hear how the Lord is moving in lives today, and that God loves them.
• Be Informed. Read CRA's quarterly newsletters. Subscribe to inspiring magazines like Charisma, Acts 29, and Prophecy in the News. Get into good Bible Studies.
• Give of your talent and time. Volunteer to help in the CRA office, especially beginning three weeks before a Seminar. We need several men who can help move our office supplies to the Harbor Square Mall, and this year also to the Yacht Club on the waterfront. Ladies may bring food to our graduations after each Seminar: dips/chips, date bars, lemonade, cookies, fruit, and cheese. Stay and enjoy our celebration with us!
• Give of your financial treasure. This is your work as well as ours. It functions by the materials you buy from us, and the charitable, tax deductible contributions you make to Christian Renewal Association Inc. We are dependent on the support we receive from you, and others like you who benefit from the ministry we provide.
• Especially, become a Covenant Pledger or Sponsor. This will help us have an even flow of support during the year rather than a few months of support and then empty holes during the months when people are too busy to remember that our expenses go on regardless. You can give by credit or debit card if you'd like. Single gifts also much appreciated.
Thank you, on behalf of those who have been, and will be blessed by your generosity. My office staff and I thank you especially, as we appreciate and urgently need your continuing support. In Christ's love and mine.
Thank you for being my friend, and partner,Rita Bennett
CRA Co-Founder & President
For pledger, sponsor, single gift giver information, call, or write me at: (425) 775-2965, P.O. Box 576, Edmonds, WA 98020
For all gifts of $25 and up, you will receive a free autographed copy of my healing book "To Heaven and Back."
The
material published in the CRA Newsletter is protected by
copyright. Please contact Rita Bennett for permission to use
it. © 2004 by Rita Bennett.
