My passion for mentoring is a long story. From my first pastorate to the present (1950–2009) I have had an extraordinary desire to help young pastors, sensing their need to have someone “come alongside” of them who would teach and encourage them. Later I observed that serious laymen also needed an “encourager” who would do the same thing for them. Thus I extended my ministry to laymen as well as the clergy.
Beginning on a small scale with one, two, or three men, I have seen my mentoring develop into a full-time ministry that has touched hundreds of lives across the world. Moreover, I have felt the hand of the Lord upon me all the way. No other ministry of mine has brought as much joy and produced such fruit for the Kingdom of God. This I say “To the praise of the glory of His grace” (Eph. 1:6).
Some of the highlights of my evolving ministry have been as follows:
I. 1975 to 1986
I instituted a summer mentoring program at First Baptist Church, Fort Smith, Arkansas. During those years God permitted me to train some men who are notable leaders in the church today.
II. 1986
God moved me, reluctantly on my part, out of the wonderful pastorate of First Baptist Church, Fort Smith, and He whispered in my ear, “The greatest ministry of” your life is ahead of you.” Frankly, I was puzzled, wondering how I could have a greater ministry than the Lord had given me in Fort Smith for almost twenty years.
III.1986 to 1988
First Baptist Church of Fort Smith graciously paid me sufficient salary to travel across the nation. I traversed the Southern Baptist Convention for 18 months in a ministry I called “Ministry of Encouragement.” I ministered primarily to struggling young pastors and their wives. I spoke 56 times in 18 months. God blessed this ministry immeasurably “To the praise of the glory of His grace.” This experience further revealed to me the desperate needs of pastors and their wives in the local church.
IV.1988
I was miraculously called as pastor to Houston Northwest Baptist Church, a colossal challenge. There I continued my mentoring program, not just in the summer but throughout the year. I continued to be encouraged by the results that I saw.
V. 1993
God moved me out of this pastorate to pursue the mentoring ministry fully. I moved to my beloved home, North Carolina, that year.
VI. 1994
I was invited to teach at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Along with my teaching, I mentored as many guys as possible but without any specific structure.
VII. 1995-1997
I pastored Calvary Baptist, Wilmington, North Carolina, as Interim. Here I instituted mentoring with God-blessed results
VIII.1997
Seeing how God was blessing my mentoring ministry, a wealthy Christian business man and member of Calvary Baptist Church, approached me with these words, “If you can do what you have done with a few guys, what would you do with a thousand?” When I asked what he meant he said, “You ought to take your mentoring ministry to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and I will underwrite the expenses.” Shortly thereafter, this donor and I met with Dr. Paige Patterson, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Dr. Patterson immediately asked me to be Chaplain, with the expenses of this office to be paid by the aforesaid brother. This I have done for ten years with profuse joy. Dr. Patterson and I had the understanding that I would have a mentoring relationship with as many students as possible while serving as Chaplain.
IX. 2000
At this point, it became obvious that I must form an organization and incorporate under North Carolina law. This I did and formed a Board of Directors made up of nine resourceful men. The Board helps me to draw up the budget, to underwrite it and gives valuable counsel. The name of our organization was initially “Mentoring Men for the Master.” Two years later, the organization became “Mentoring Men for the Master, Int’l,” as we began to mentor abroad, especially in India.
X. 2002 -2004
I pastored Calvary Baptist, Wilmington, North Carolina, as Interim. Here I instituted mentoring with God-blessed results. Alpha Ministries, Int’l of India, asked me to be General Chairman of their trustees and assist them in mentoring Indian Nationals to plant churches and preach to a billion people who have never heard the gospel. I mentored the current President of Alpha Ministries, Rev. Finny Mathews, from 1995 to the present. In November 2004, we dedicated a training center that will seat 1000 in Gujarat Province and when completed will be named in honor of my wife, Doris, and me, as requested by our governing board. This province is the center of persecution. This building will have inscribed on its side the words, “Dedicated to the Mentoring of Men for the Master in honor of Bill and Doris Bennett.” We are also building dorms to accommodate 500 pastors from time to time whom we invite to come for training. Alpha’s goal, with my help, is to train 100,000 pastors by 2020. My goal is to train 10,000 pastors and laymen in the USA. The thrilling thing about training Indian Nationals is that this is the only way to get the gospel to one billion Indians. India won’t admit foreign missionaries. Praise the Lord for this opportunity.
Xl. 2009
We now have 9 MMM schools, ranging geographically from Greensboro, N.C., to Daytona Beach Fla., with God opening new doors almost daily. PTL!!
Xl. 2010
We want to welcome our newest MMM school, located at New Hope Baptist Church in Wilson, N.C. We now have 10 schools operating at this time, with another in the works!!