Our Pastor
Visionary. Leader. Pastor. Teacher. Counselor. A servant with a Shepherd’s heart.
Rev. Tony H. Benson, Sr. was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. He is the oldest of nine children. Rev. Benson earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Cheyney University in 1976. In 1980, he completed his Master’s Degree at Dallas Theological Seminary, majoring in Homiletics and Theology. Upon graduation, he entered full-time Christian service as a church planter. In 1981, Rev. Benson became the founding Pastor of the Friendship Community Bible Church of Houston, Texas. Friendship Community Bible Church continues to transform lives for Christ. Later, he and his family returned to his hometown of Philadelphia and united with Christian Stronghold Church. As an Associate Minister, Rev. Benson served under the leadership of Pastor Willie Richardson.
Rev. Benson has been blessed to serve the Lord for over thirty years in the capacity of church planter, teacher, counselor, trainer and disciple, developing God’s people to impact the kingdom. Rev. Benson is faithfully serving the Lord in Wilmington, Delaware as Pastor and visionary at the New Direction Bible Fellowship Church, where they are “changing lives through the life changing Word of God”. New Direction is a church on the move to fulfill the Great Commission, building up the body and going outside of the four walls. He also works as a full-time hospice chaplain for Seasons Hospice of Delaware, a unique and precious calling to the terminally ill. Rev. Benson is married to the former Virginia Griffin. They are the proud parents of four children. He loves God and His people. His calling is to help people reach their full potential in Christ, and dedicates every ounce of his life to fulfilling this call.
The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned.” Isaiah 50:4