About Us

Tom Garrott Benjamin, Jr.

  Pastor - Author - Abundant Life Coach

Tom Benjamin, Senior Pastor of the historic Light of the World Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Indianapolis, Indiana, will celebrate 40 years as our Senior Pastor as well as his 43rd year in ministry in October, 2009. With this significant milestone, Bishop Benjamin has the longest pastorate of any Senior Pastor in the history of LWCC. He is also only the 4th Senior Pastor in the 143-year history of the church. He is known widely for his commitment to excellence as a pastor and life coach. He is also widely known for his gifts of hospitality and generosity.

Bishop Benjamin’s ministry has produced 40 seminary graduates with M.Div. degrees, 6 (six) of that number have earned doctorates and three (3) are on the doctoral track. They serve the church globally and ecumenically. They are one-third female and range from local pastors and chaplains to seminary administrators and denominational department heads. They serve mostly Disciples of Christ, but also United Methodist and Southern Baptist congregations. This is one of the unique, unparalleled and unprecedented contributions of Dr. Benjamin to the whole church and confirms his calling as Bishop in the Lord's Church. He was consecrated to the Bishopric by an ecumenical group of national bishops in 1996 at the Indiana Convention Center.

Earning his undergraduate degree from St. Louis University (B.A.), he also holds two (2) earned cum laude graduate degrees (M.Div. and D.Min.) from Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, Indiana. Additionally, he holds 6 (six) honorary doctorate degrees and a host of other awards that recognize his deep commitment to quality preparation for ministers as well as his bridge building between races and denominations in the City of Indianapolis.

Bishop Benjamin is a lifetime member of the NAACP, and in October 2008, the NAACP selected him as the recent recipient of the Pathfinder Award for his dedicated work in the area of civil and human rights. In Indianapolis, he is called the “City’s Pastor.” In 2007, Bishop Benjamin was named one of “Indy’s most powerful” in the August issue of Indianapolis Monthly Magazine. He is a community activist in the best sense of the word as he consistently and courageously speaks truth to power. Dr. Benjamin has also raised awareness and resources in the Indianapolis community dedicated to saving children and families through Project Impact-Indianapolis, an intervention program for at-risk youth. He is also a recipient of the coveted Whistler award given annually to a city leader by the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee.

Nationally known for his standard of excellence in ministry, Pastor Benjamin was selected as one of the recipients of the Morehouse College Distinguished Preacher’s Award as well as being a past National President of the Black Disciples Ministers’ Fellowship. Dr. Benjamin has received the Sagamore of the Wabash from two different Governors. This designation is the highest honor that the Governor bestows for distinguished service. On May 4, 2008, Martin University, Indianapolis, Indiana, bestowed an Honorary Doctorate degree on Bishop Benjamin. This honorary degree is the sixth (6th) degree that Bishop Benjamin has received. In August, 2008, Bishop Benjamin was elected to the Martin University Board of Trustees.

Dr. Benjamin’s passion is children, and he has authored four books: Boys To Men, The Home Alone Syndrome, Mama’s Boy, and his most recent book, It’s All In Your Mind. He is an international speaker and life coach.

Bishop is an avid golfer as well as a music enthusiast. His pride is his family, consisting of his beautiful and creative life partner, Lady Beverly, three awesome adult sons, one darling daughter-in-law, and one “grand” grandson, Channing Carlyle, II.