Foursquare’s own Mary Bennett, known as the “Mother Teresa of Appalachia,” has gone to be with the Lord. She was 82.
For over 20 years Mary Bennett, who served as senior pastor of Linefork Foursquare Church in Linefork, Ky., shared her home and her faith in Christ with more than 100 children who were shunned by their families. Many of these children were disabled, but Mary said they all taught her important lessons about life and loving others. God told Mary that he would give her all the resources she would ever need to help these children as long as she didn’t “let one penny stick to your fingers.”
Some of the children were with Mary for years. Many were able learners and graduated from college, an accomplishment they may never have made without Mary’s influence and guidance in their lives. Later in her life, Mary developed the Dr. Mary Bennett Foundation so she could help more children, even beyond her own lifetime.
Mary’s story inspires each of us to answer the question, “Whom am I called to care for?” Further, she inspires leaders to look around their churches and inquire, “Who are the ‘Marys’ in my church, and how can I help them reach out to others?”
“Every person has value,” Mary contended, and she spent her life demonstrating that conviction to the world.
The Power of One: Mary, which is part of the Power of One: Story series produced by The Foursquare Church in 2011, explains how Mary answered God’s call to give these children life, hope and faith they otherwise would never know.
Please join us in praying for her family, including her 16 adopted children.
For information on Mary’s memorial service, to be held on July 19 at the Foursquare Gospel Church in Linefork, Ky., as well as how to donate to continue her work of supporting children, visit: bianchifuneralhomes.com/obituary/dr-mary-bennett.
