By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – For the last 26 years, Kay Bennett has shared the hope of Christ with some of the most vulnerable in New Orleans as director of the Baptist Friendship House.
In late April she retired from leading this key ministry, but her heart continues to be with the human trafficking victims, homeless mothers and school children she helped during her years with the ministry. “It’s been the adventure of a lifetime,” Bennett told the Baptist Message. “This is the most fulfilling thing I can ever imagine. I’ve gotten to do and see things some people only dream about. “I’ve seen Jesus chang[1]ing people’s lives when they needed Him most,” she continued. “What a joy and honor to see Him work for all these years.”
CALLED
Bennett’s ministry journey began as the daughter of a dairy farmer in Kokomo, Miss., who engrained in her the value of serving others. Her father and mother also took her to church every week and planted seeds that eventually, at age 12, resulted in Bennett trusting in Christ as her Savior.
While attending the University of Southern Mississippi, Bennett landed a counseling internship at a mental facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Though she was able to treat patients’ physical and emotional needs, she was prohibited from introducing them to their greatest need of all – a Savior.
That experience motivated her to discuss with others about her God-given desire to serve Jesus in ministry, and they suggested she pursue a master’s degree in counseling at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
During the 35 years that followed, Bennett remained in the city and served the Lord at the Brantley Center as a missionary with the Home Mission Board (now North American Mission Board) and most recently as director of the Baptist Friendship House.
During her time at the Baptist Friendship House, Bennett began a Christian Woman’s Job Corps program, equipped staff members to minister to abused women and became a national speaker about ministry to the poor, homeless, addicted as well as how to care for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.
“We do life with people, whatever their needs are,” Bennett said. “We try to give them a hand up and not a hand-out. Doing life with people, to share Jesus with them, has produced a lot of fruit.”
THANKFUL PEOPLE
“Sharing the Gospel, teaching Bible, rescuing trafficked women and caring for homeless children was a day’s work for Kay Bennett,” said Jack Hunter, executive director for New Orleans Baptist Association. “She was a missionary on the mean streets of New Orleans where she ministered the Gospel with open arms to all who called, cried, or crawled to her. God burdened her heart for the city and opened a door into its dark underbelly. She followed and never turned back. When people ask what’s so special about being Baptist in New Orleans, I point to Kay Bennett.”
Kayleigh White, who worked with Bennett for eight years before becoming the new director of the Baptist Friendship House in May, said working with her was a privilege.
“Baptist Friendship House’s legacy is one of changing lives for the Kingdom of God because of Kay, and it is my personal prayer to see our ministry continue to grow as we pursue this mission,” White said. “It is humbling, and I am so excited for this opportunity.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Bennett has moved back to her family’s farm in Mississippi so she can care for her mother, Elizabeth. But she looks forward to serving in other ministries as God allows her the opportunity.
“Once we are called, we are always called,” Bennett said. “There will be other seasons to come, and it is always exciting to see how God works in our lives to make us uniquely who we are.”
