Brian and his Family
 I
graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from
General Motors Institute in 1986 and with a Master's of Science Degree
in Engineering Management in 1999 from Rennsalaer Polytechnic Institute.
I work as an engineer for Delphi Saginaw Steering Systems, Delphi
Automotive Systems, in Saginaw, Michigan.
My wife, Barbara, is my best friend. We do virtually everything
together. I help Barb out with her volleyball team, and Barb helps
me with my Sunday school class tasks. We sit together in our church
choir; we enjoy our vacations together. We just like to be together,
and to do things together. Barb is my best friend ...and I wouldn't
want it any other way. We've been married since the Fall of 1989.
It doesn't seem that long at all, yet, strangely, it seems like
we've always been married.
On October 2, 1996, our son Allan William II (named after my Dad)
was born. We'd been trying to adopt a baby for a couple of years...and
finally, on July 31st, we found out that Allan was on the way. He's
been an absolute joy since we took him home on B-day plus one. His
first trip to WDW began when he was just 2 1/2 weeks old and with
several trips under his belt now, he's already quite the veteran
of the Florida Disney parks.
Since Allan's adoption was finalized (in June, 1997) we applied
to adopt again. On April 6, 2000, Michael
Scott Bennett was born. Michael lived with us just a few
days before we had to return him to his birthparents. He lived
with us only a few days, but touch us in a wonderful way.
On December 29th, just before the end of the year, we got another
phone call. Michael's birthparents had decided, again, to
put him up for adoption. We picked him up that evening and
he's with us now. The link above gives the whole story.
I believe that God is both just and loving. Since He is just, He
must condemn sin and punish the sinner. Since He is loving, He wanted
to provide a way for people to escape hell, the ultimate punishment
that awaits those that deserve it. The solution to this dilemma
was to send His only Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect, sinless
life, and then to die in place of those that deserve the penalty
of death. Jesus has already paid the price for sin, all that remains
is for each person to admit guilt and accept His sacrifice as payment
for their own sin. Being "saved" is that simple.
My mother tells me that, in 1970 as a seven year old boy, I knelt
by the side of my bed and received Jesus Christ as my savior. However,
I honestly don't remember that day. I've always believed that I
accepted Christ, but I couldn't remember it having actually happened.
In the meantime, I'd led a rather "good" life. I was
very involved in the youth group at my home church, Bethany Baptist
in Mount Clemens, Michigan, when I was growing up. I was the vice-president
of the youth group as a junior and president as a senior. I was
involved in Word Of Life clubs, and participated in the scholarship
program. When I graduated from college I joined Community Baptist
Church, just outside of Saginaw, Michigan. I got very involved there,
too. I've taught classes in our Christian School. I'm in the choir.
I'm a Sunday School teacher. And I'm a deacon. However, I'd been
haunted with the thought that maybe, since I couldn't remember having
accepted Christ, I really wasn't a Christian after all.
In June, 1993, a speaker that visited our church said that salvation
was a life changing experience. Again, I began to wonder if I was
really saved because I couldn't remember having asked the Lord to
forgive me. I went forward in church that morning. My Pastor was
surprised to have one of his deacons at the altar for salvation,
but he simply told me to pray since "I knew what to do."
Pastor Jackson later told me that he thought I was indeed already
saved.
Now I am certain that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior. He is
also my Lord. To me that means that everything I do and say must
be for His honor and glory. My relationship with the Lord is personal.
I have direct access to Him through prayer, and to His word through
the Bible.
As a family we enjoy traveling (much like I did growing up). We
go to Walt Disney World just about every year, but we've also traveled
to California several times, to New England, to Washington D.C.,
Decatur and Huntsville, Alabama, and several other places. We have
a lot of fun on these trips.
We are very active in our church and in our church's Christian
day school. My current activities include:
- Choir Member
- Sunday School Teacher (currently working with the Christian
Homebuilders class, a young couples group, but previously handled
college and career, 4th grade boys, 5th grade boys, 6th grade
boys, junior high boys, and high school over the years)
- "Growing Kids God's Way" (Parenting Program)
Facilitator...facilitating the program developed by Growing
Families International
- Youth Group Sponsor...basically doing whatever our
youth pastor asks of us
- Deacon and Church Clerk
- Volunteer Teacher (currently teaching physics at Community
Baptist Christian School)
My brother, David, has a website that is focused on historical
links (he's a secondary teacher and as much of a history nut as
I am a Disney nut). Dave also has some science fiction and other
fun links that are worth checking out. You can go there using this
link: Dave
Bennett's History Links Site.
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Brian Bennett's Disney Trip Planner
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