We are currently in Minneapolis, Minnesota and part of Hope Community Church.

Benji is originally from Bahrain. He was raised in a culture where he was a minority when he came to know Christ. With travels frequently to India and other nations in the Middle East, Benji saw the world with a plurality of gods and voices. His family immigrated to the United States during the Gulf War. He ended up going to church and being baptized, but never really had someone challenge his beliefs. His struggle with Christianity took place in his late teenage years when he started having questions due in part to influences from friends and teachers/professors of different persuasions. God eventually met him through the Scriptures and life circumstances and confirmed to him that He is the only one worth placing hope in. Since then he has grown in his faith through involvement in church and various ministries.

Benji served as a youth leader at Believers Bible Chapel. During the summers of 2002 and 2003, Benji had the opportunity to travel with Dwight Knight during Challenge Ministries Summer Missions Project. Benji, along with three others (Stephen Oommen, Jonathan Chacko and Alex Hong) had the opportunity to learn from Dwight Knight what ministry entailed – "meeting the needs of people, regardless of the need, regardless of the people." They travelled to numerous states and locations overseas learning through one-on-one discipleship. Through Challenge Ministries and the influence of Dwight Knight, Benji has discipled others and developed for himself a vision for life long ministry. At Hope he taught adult education, Sunday school & has been a part of a new inner-city church plant among other things. These experiences were used by God to mold his heart for world-wide missions & discipleship.

Carrie is originally from Minnesota. She came to know Jesus through her family and church. She made a decision to follow Jesus at a young age and developed a passion for evangelism. Her father, a full time minister, taught Carrie the importance of spending time daily in prayer, Bible study, and Scripture memorization in order to draw closer in relationship with Jesus.

 

Moving away to college was a difficult transition for Carrie but the adjustment was a blessing in disguise as her desire for a life of missions and evangelism was cultivated. Carrie is currently active with the local church prayer ministry and hospitality team as well as attending weekly Bible studies.  She chose medicine because the opportunities in medicine allow her to be God’s hands and feet – the ultimate purpose of which is for God to get the glory by more people coming to a relationship with Him.

Benji and Carrie met through Hope Community Church. They are finishing their fourth year of medical school at the University of Minnesota. They plan to be married in February, 2008 prior to leaving overseas.