Allen W. Ben

 

God looked down through time and saw a child whom His favor would be granted and through whom His plan could be fulfilled. That man of valor, vigilance and vision is our pastor, Reverend Allen W. Ben. He has a tremendous passion for God’s word coupled with a love for God’s people. He has a contagious and charismatic spirit that flows through every facet of his personality and ministry.

 

Having received his mandate from God, Pastor Ben obediently fulfills his calling as Pastor of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Eunice, LA and Zion Traveler Missionary Baptist Church of Mamou, LA. This man of God is a powerful preacher, a tremendous inspiration to everyone and is totally dedicated to the work of God.

 

Pastor Ben started early dedicating his life in service to God. It was evident that God had His hands on him as He guided him through service to Him. Born and reared in the Ville Platte community, he received love and nurturing from his parents, the late Deacon Lester Ben and the late Mrs. Lois J. Ben, and from members of his extended family where he is the seventh of eight children. Having been converted at an early age, he developed a passion for singing and God later called him into the preaching ministry. He confessed his calling and preached his first sermon on March 1, 1986. He married the love of his life, Yvonne Y. Poullard Ben on July 4, 1987. They are proud parents of two children, Roderick Lester and Kiswana Leontyne. They are also the proud grandparents of Aden Wayne.

 

Pastor Ben’s early education was in the school system of Evangeline Parish (Ville Platte) where he received his diploma in 1984. He continued his education at E.S.D.A. School of Christian Education in Ville Platte, LA. and was very studious. He attended Bishop College in Dallas, TX; Prairie View Ministerial Institute in Prairie View, TX; and L.K. Williams Institute in Dallas, TX, along with many other institutions.

 

Prior to becoming Pastor of Zion Traveler and New Zion, he served as Pastor of Mohorn Baptist Church in Plaisance, LA from 1990 to 1997. He has held positions locally and on the district level with the Seventh District Missionary Baptist Association, Inc.

 

In addition to those responsibilities that are inherent to being the leader of the said churches, Reverend Ben finds time to contribute to professional and civic activities. He is a former Vice-President of the Seventh District Missionary Baptist Association, Secretary of Board of Directors Committee and Vice Chairman of the Evangelistic Team.

 

Pastor Ben has seen the fulfillment of Ephesians 3:20 in his life -“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” New Zion and Zion Traveler have continued to prosper under Pastor Ben’s illustrious leadership. A few examples are: increased membership, focus on equipping all believers to become disciples and encouragement in the development of religious, social and economic programs to provide wholeness to all members.

 

Faith, patience, love, humility and influence motivate him to respond to the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19). He believes that only what he does for Christ will last. Reverend Ben labors in the vineyard for Christ on an on-going basis. He states that he is a born again, spirit-fed and Bible-led evangelistic pastor-preacher who is born of God, engrafted into Christ and is a habitation of the Holy Spirit. God is his light, Jesus is his salvation and he has no fear. He believes in one Lord, one faith and one baptism. Jesus Christ and no other, is the feature, focus and function of his ministry. He is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ because he knows that it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes it.