We're here for you
empowering pastors to grow closer to God's will at church & at home
The work you do for Jesus, the Church, and your community is incredible. You’re leading people towards life-giving relationships with God while pouring into them with love and support. There is undeniable beauty and fulfillment in this God-given calling, but we know it isn't easy.
Leading a ministry also comes with stresses and pressures that deeply impact your church life, personal life, and spiritual life. You need to address these struggles with an understanding support system to handle pastoral pressures in healthy ways. That’s why the Pastor Circle exists. You’re why the Pastor Circle exists.
Meet Pastor Terry Bennett
COMMUNITY PASTOR
terry@leadersfollowingchrist.org
As our Community Pastor, Terry helps everyone in our community get connected so we all feel known and cared for. After 25 years of ministry Terry Bennett, affectionately known as Ptb, ministers the Gospel with a passion for the lost to see the hope of God's calling upon their lives. Out of a broken family, and a broken life God has positioned him as a leader to build people up and cause them to win. You can schedule a pastoral support call using the button below:
terry@leadersfollowingchrist.org
As our Community Pastor, Terry helps everyone in our community get connected so we all feel known and cared for. After 25 years of ministry Terry Bennett, affectionately known as Ptb, ministers the Gospel with a passion for the lost to see the hope of God's calling upon their lives. Out of a broken family, and a broken life God has positioned him as a leader to build people up and cause them to win. You can schedule a pastoral support call using the button below:
Leader Spotlight: Joel Semwezi
We are shining our spotlight on Pastor Joel Semwezi, a leader whose dedication to Christ and His people is truly contagious. Joel leans into the biblical principle of being a shepherd, humbly and faithfully caring for his community. He is a living testament to the faithfulness and fulfillment that comes from knowing our good Lord, and he’s passionate about sharing that transformative truth.
Joel's Advice for Pastors:
Prayer is absolutely essential for a pastor. It is not just something we do on behalf of others—it is deeply personal. Before you are a pastor, you are a sinner in need of grace and mercy. Personal prayer is a time to come before God with humility, confessing your own weaknesses and seeking His strength. Ministry is exhausting and spiritually draining, but prayer keeps our soul anchored and refreshed in Christ.
Stay rooted in your God-given identity. There are many mistaken ideas about what it means to be a pastor. Some see pastors as celebrities or motivational speakers, but the Bible is clear: pastors are shepherds. We are called to care for God’s flock with humility and selflessness (1 Peter 5:2-4). A shepherd doesn’t seek applause or personal fame; they tend to the needs of the sheep, often unseen and uncelebrated. Stay rooted in this identity. Be approachable, compassionate, and focused on the well-being of the people God has entrusted to you. Resist the temptation to build a platform for yourself; instead, build people up in Christ.
The foundation of all true ministry is God’s Word. Preach the Bible and nothing else. Let us avoid the distractions of preaching trends, personal opinions, or feel-good messages that lack substance. The Word of God is alive, and it has the power to convict, comfort, and transform lives. Stay faithful to biblical truth, even when it’s unpopular or countercultural. Let our preaching flow from a deep conviction that God’s Word is sufficient for every need of the human heart. As pastors, we are not called to entertain but to faithfully proclaim the truth of God’s word.
Humility is a mark of a faithful pastor. No matter how far you’ve come in ministry, never assume you’ve arrived. Always remain a learner. Pursue opportunities to grow in your knowledge of Scripture, leadership, and ministry. Surround yourself with wise mentors and peers who can challenge and encourage you. Be willing to admit when you’re wrong and seek correction.
One of the greatest ministries a pastor can have is within their own home. Love your wife and children well. Family should never feel like they come second to the church. Guard family time intentionally, and don’t let the demands of ministry consume every moment of your life. Be present for your spouse and children—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Faithfulness at home will not only strengthen your family but will also be a powerful testimony to the congregation.
Finally, remember that ministry is not about our performance or perfection. It is about God’s grace working through us. There will be seasons of triumph and seasons of trial, but through it all, God remains faithful. Rest in His grace, trust in His strength, and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep. Ministry is a calling that comes with immense responsibility, but it is also a profound privilege.
Joel's Advice for Pastors:
Prayer is absolutely essential for a pastor. It is not just something we do on behalf of others—it is deeply personal. Before you are a pastor, you are a sinner in need of grace and mercy. Personal prayer is a time to come before God with humility, confessing your own weaknesses and seeking His strength. Ministry is exhausting and spiritually draining, but prayer keeps our soul anchored and refreshed in Christ.
Stay rooted in your God-given identity. There are many mistaken ideas about what it means to be a pastor. Some see pastors as celebrities or motivational speakers, but the Bible is clear: pastors are shepherds. We are called to care for God’s flock with humility and selflessness (1 Peter 5:2-4). A shepherd doesn’t seek applause or personal fame; they tend to the needs of the sheep, often unseen and uncelebrated. Stay rooted in this identity. Be approachable, compassionate, and focused on the well-being of the people God has entrusted to you. Resist the temptation to build a platform for yourself; instead, build people up in Christ.
The foundation of all true ministry is God’s Word. Preach the Bible and nothing else. Let us avoid the distractions of preaching trends, personal opinions, or feel-good messages that lack substance. The Word of God is alive, and it has the power to convict, comfort, and transform lives. Stay faithful to biblical truth, even when it’s unpopular or countercultural. Let our preaching flow from a deep conviction that God’s Word is sufficient for every need of the human heart. As pastors, we are not called to entertain but to faithfully proclaim the truth of God’s word.
Humility is a mark of a faithful pastor. No matter how far you’ve come in ministry, never assume you’ve arrived. Always remain a learner. Pursue opportunities to grow in your knowledge of Scripture, leadership, and ministry. Surround yourself with wise mentors and peers who can challenge and encourage you. Be willing to admit when you’re wrong and seek correction.
One of the greatest ministries a pastor can have is within their own home. Love your wife and children well. Family should never feel like they come second to the church. Guard family time intentionally, and don’t let the demands of ministry consume every moment of your life. Be present for your spouse and children—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Faithfulness at home will not only strengthen your family but will also be a powerful testimony to the congregation.
Finally, remember that ministry is not about our performance or perfection. It is about God’s grace working through us. There will be seasons of triumph and seasons of trial, but through it all, God remains faithful. Rest in His grace, trust in His strength, and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep. Ministry is a calling that comes with immense responsibility, but it is also a profound privilege.