High school students and community members recently flooded the gym of Salem High School for a Real Encounter Outreach event in Missouri.
The outreach, hosted by FBC Salem along with the local FCA and several other churches, was particularly special for Brad Bennett, director of the Making Disciples team and founder of Real Encounter. He served as the youth pastor at FBC Salem from 1996–1999. “Last night in Salem, our ministry came full circle,” he said. “My first ministry position was at First Baptist Church Salem 27 years ago, and it was during that time the Lord gave me a vision for Real Encounter Outreach.”
Real Encounter combines Bennett’s experience as a motorcross racer with his passion for the gospel through dynamic, multi-day events aimed to reach multitudes with the gospel while igniting passion for evangelism within local churches.
This vision flows out of Bennett’s own experience when, as a 19-year-old professional motorcross racer, one of his motorcross heroes, Steve Wise, introduced him to Jesus. Just a few years later, he answered the Lord’s call to full-time ministry.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Britney Lyn Hamm and originally published by the Pathway.