Rev. Benedict returns to First Baptist
The Rev. Daniel T. Benedict, Sr. has accepted the call
to become the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Newark beginning November 30.
This is a return to First Baptist, as he was pastor there for nine years in the 1970's. He was born in Lebanon, NY and is a veteran of WWII. He and his wife, Edith, were active in local churches while they were dairy farming for 20 years. They are the parents of eight adult children and 21 grandchildren.
Benedict entered the Christian Ministry through the American Baptist Lay Studies Courses; has taken courses at Colgate University, Oswego State College, Boston School of Theology and Wesley Seminary in Washington, DC. He became pastor of the Sterling Community Church in 1961 and since then has pastored the Conquest & Spring Lake Churches; Branchport, Bluff Point, Friend Churches; Second Milo Baptist Church; Newark Baptist Church; Genoa United Church; First Baptist Church of Geneva; First Baptist Church of West Walworth.
He was ordained in 1967 at Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University. He first came to Newark in 1971.
He said, "I have a concern for missions. Edith and I have visited mission fields several times, including Israel and the former Soviet Union." He was awarded the Maggie Monroe-Cassel Peace and Justice Award at the NYS/ABC Biennial at Albany in June of 1994 for his interest and work in Nicaragua & Cuba through the Pastors for Peace organization. He has driven truck in a caravan with supplies for the poor in Nicaragua.
"We believe that our faith in Christ must be lived in our families, in the community where we live, and with others throughout the world," he said. The Benedicts are ready and eager to serve the people of the First Baptist Church of Newark.
The pastor is thinking up some children's stories for Sunday morning worship. Who knows, maybe Thaddeus may return!
Benedict came out of retirement in 1985 to serve First Baptist Church, and has been active in Parents Anonymous, Habitat or Humanity, the chaplaincy program at Geneva General Hospital, Planned Parenthood, the Geneva Kiwanis Club, and an alcoholism counseling service.
He is a recipient of the Grand Lodge of New York DeWitt Clinton Award for Community Service.
Copyright © 1997
Courier-Gazette, 613 S. Main St. Newark, N.Y. 14513
All Rights Reserved