Reverend Dr. F. Delano R. Benson Jr., the eighth pastor of The Antioch Baptist Church (March 1878) of St. Louis, Missouri since August 2008. His pastoral journey begins over 39 years ago at Second Baptist Church in Columbia, Missouri under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Donald R. McNeal. Licensed in 1982 and Ordained in 1986 under Rev. Leon Wright of Travelers Rest Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Rev. Benson has served as the senior pastor of Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri; also, he previously served as senior pastor of Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church of Holts Summit, Missouri.
Pastor
Pastor Benson, a native of Woodruff, South Carolina and the son of Deacon and Mrs Franklin D. R. Benson, Sr. He is married to the former Brender J. Bates and has three children and six grandchildren. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science and a minor in Agricultural Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, received his Master of Divinity Degree from Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, MO and his Doctorate of Ministry Degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA.
Rev. Benson’s vision is uncompromisingly clear, with one central principle; to build and develop a kingdom of empowered people for the glorication of God.
Pastor Benson holding firmly to the commissioned mandate in Matt. 28:18-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. He has taken the gospel into national and international communities, as an active participant in both the American Baptist Convention as well as the National Baptist Convention USA. Dr. Benson is severing presently as American Baptist Great Rivers Region – Area V Assist Minister and have severed as Moderator of Area V (March 2012-March 2014). Also, he is presently severing as Vice Moderator of Antioch District Association of MO Baptist-NBC-USA, and Co-Chairperson of the Ministers Division of MO Baptist State Congress NBC-USA. Rev. Benson served 32 years in the Armed Service; the last 21 years as Chaplain in the United States Navy Reserve.
Organizations that Dr. Benson is affiliated with: One Church-One Child, OMEGA PSI PHI Fraternity, Inc., and Pride of the West Masonic Lodge 53. Pastor Benson enjoys activities, such as sports, reading, going to the movies, being with people, horseback riding, and listening to music.