Meet Benjamin Gideon

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Benjamin Gideon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Benjamin below.

Benjamin, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Before I was born my parents could not have children. They tried IVF, adoption and natural means, however, they could not conceive. One day, back in 1991, a relative received a message from the Lord, Jesus Christ. She relayed the following to my parents, who were trying to have children for over 10 years, without success:

“You will have a son and his name must be Benjamin. With this child comes a promise – that your home must be like a church; no alcohol may enter, you must fast and pray on bread and water for 7 days and you must refrain from having intimate relations with your husband for 7 days. On the 8th day, you will come together and you will conceive. Like I give, I take away. ”

To my parents amazement, they thought my aunt had lost her mind. Their doctors at the time told them that if they were to give them a percentage rate of conception, it would be less than 0%. With that said, my parents had a choice to make – trust the science and the doctors, or trust in God. My father, encouraged my mother at that time saying, “We’ve tried everything, why don’t we try God.”

Even though He was their last hope and even though my parents were not religious at the time, their desperation drove them to an openness that they did not possess previously. My mother obeyed the prophetic message and asked God for grace, since she had issues in her gut. She fasted for 28 days instead, on a much easier diet, but believed God by faith.

Sure enough, shortly after, my mother went for a check-up. To their utter amazement, my mother was pregnant. The same doctors who declared that my mother had a dead womb, now declared the miracle that took place in her womb.

Fast forward to age 12: I was attending a church called The Early Church, which is in now in Northridge. One day, during youth group, the pastor asked each youth what the most important job in the world was. One answered, “A doctor;” another answered, “an astronaut” and others answered in a similar fashion. When the question was pitched to me – I immediately, with conviction declared, “A pastor!”

The pastor asked me, “why?” I answered, “because they care for the souls of people.” He answered me that day, “that’s right.” From that moment, something was sealed in my heart and I knew that Jesus was going to call me into the ministry one day.

From the moment I received the call, I prayed against it for 10 years. I didn’t want to be a pastor. The sacrifice, the pain, the persecution and the moral standard required were all very intimidating to me. However, after reluctantly saying, “Yes” after that 10 year period, God began to set the path my feet should walk to get to where I am today.

Skipping many steps and a lengthy article…God planted the church during COVID in July of 2020, in a backyard in Santa Clarita, CA. From the backyard, God grew the church and granted us a kids classroom to rent for 3 years and in October of 2023, we signed our first storefront lease. We just turned 4 years old on July 21st, 2024 and we give God all the glory.

A church that contained 5 members at some points, has now been increased between 60-85 members. We can’t wait to see what God will do next.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am the lead pastor of Rest in Grace Church, only by the mercy and grace of God. I am currently bi-vocational and own a fastener company with my family called Advance Fasteners, Inc.

The most exciting part about what I get to do is to watch miracles happen, people develop a godly character through loving community and then for that cycle to repeat.

As far as events go – we are currently getting ready for a Christian comedy night at our church, taking place September 1st, at 6:30 PM (PST).

We also have the following events that repeat monthly – Men’s Breakfast (Every last Saturday of the month @ California Bakery & Cafe in Saugus, CA @ 10:00 AM), Women’s Ministry (Every 1st Saturday of the month @ the church itself), Prayer Night (Every last Thursday of the month).

For more information on events, please visit rigchurch.org/events

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

3 things that were most impactful in my journey were as follows:

1.) Faith – Believing in the promises of God, even when you can’t see them and have no idea how they will come to pass.

2.) Conviction – This is the 2nd step that should couple with faith. You can believe something will happen ONE DAY, but conviction keeps you watchful and waiting daily for the opportunity. It keeps you hungry and thirsty to see the vision recognized and to prepare for it daily.

3.) Relationships – The biggest lie anyone has ever told themselves is that they are self-made. In every successful person, there is a relationship that got them to take a step toward success and helped foster something they needed along their journey. Without my relationship with God and His people…there is no way I’d be here today.

My advice to anyone and everyone (unapologetically) is get to know the God of the Bible – the real Jesus. He will not only change your life, but He will reveal the reason for your existence. Once you know that, you can focus on the areas that need to be developed to satisfy your purpose and His calling. It’s not about religious rituals…it’s about relationship. God is more out of the box than people think in His creative capacity.

I would also emphasize to spend the most time with those whom you wish to become the most like. You become who you align with.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

The Holy Bible is the main book that has played an important role in my development. Some of the most impactful scriptures that come to mind are as follows:

1.) “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps,” (PROVERBS 16:9, NKJV).

2.) “Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established,” (PROVERBS 16:3, NKJV).

3.) “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much,” (LUKE 16:10, NKJV).

The 1st scripture talks about our own vision…we may plan the overall vision, but it’s God who will direct our steps to accomplish it. Once we start working at the vision, it’s important to commit it God, so that the thoughts we think will align with the purpose He desires. Lastly, if we are faithful and hard-working when our capacity is small, then God will increase us because we are found capable of handling greater things.

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