Our Team
From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:16 NIV
Ephesians 4:16 NIV
Gene and Maria bring a rich heritage of Christian ministry to Family Life Church.
Gene experienced a supernatural calling to preach the Gospel when he was just 17 years old. He immediately began to pursue that call. Since that time, Gene has served as an evangelist, youth minister, assistant pastor, and for nearly 30 years now, he has served as a lead pastor. Gene is a passionate communicator, who works to bring Biblical truths, to his listeners, to help them better understand God’s Word, and deal with contemporary issues. Pastor Gene is a servant leader, who has a passion for people, and a great desire to see them experience Jesus in a life-changing way. Outside of his church duties, Gene serves as president of the Nicoma Park Kiwanis Club.
Maria has served in ministry alongside her husband since their marriage. Besides her ministry as a pastor’s wife, Maria serves Family Life as their Women’s Ministries Director. Outside the local church family, Maria serves the Oklahoma District Assemblies of God as Section 9 North Women's Ministries Representative, and she serves on the Oklahoma District Assemblies of God Woman’s Ministry Board. In the local community, Maria is past president, and serves as a member of the Choctaw/Nicoma Park Business Woman’s Club. As if she doesn’t have enough to do, Maria also works full time, for Church Mutual Insurance Company, as a Senior Account Manager. Maria is known for her energetic personality and her sincere desire to connect and help women deal with contemporary stresses such as balancing family, work and ministry. She is also known for her cooking, baking and love for recipe books.
Gene and Maria have been married since 1984. They have 3 grown daughters, 3 sons-in-law and 7 grandchildren (5 girls and 2 boys).
Gene experienced a supernatural calling to preach the Gospel when he was just 17 years old. He immediately began to pursue that call. Since that time, Gene has served as an evangelist, youth minister, assistant pastor, and for nearly 30 years now, he has served as a lead pastor. Gene is a passionate communicator, who works to bring Biblical truths, to his listeners, to help them better understand God’s Word, and deal with contemporary issues. Pastor Gene is a servant leader, who has a passion for people, and a great desire to see them experience Jesus in a life-changing way. Outside of his church duties, Gene serves as president of the Nicoma Park Kiwanis Club.
Maria has served in ministry alongside her husband since their marriage. Besides her ministry as a pastor’s wife, Maria serves Family Life as their Women’s Ministries Director. Outside the local church family, Maria serves the Oklahoma District Assemblies of God as Section 9 North Women's Ministries Representative, and she serves on the Oklahoma District Assemblies of God Woman’s Ministry Board. In the local community, Maria is past president, and serves as a member of the Choctaw/Nicoma Park Business Woman’s Club. As if she doesn’t have enough to do, Maria also works full time, for Church Mutual Insurance Company, as a Senior Account Manager. Maria is known for her energetic personality and her sincere desire to connect and help women deal with contemporary stresses such as balancing family, work and ministry. She is also known for her cooking, baking and love for recipe books.
Gene and Maria have been married since 1984. They have 3 grown daughters, 3 sons-in-law and 7 grandchildren (5 girls and 2 boys).
Jeremy and Erica Benson are an exceptional blessing to Family Church.
Pastor Jeremy served Family Church as the Assistant Pastor for 7 years, and then was recently promoted to serve as Executive Pastor. Jeremy was called to preach the Gospel at the age of 17. Since that time, he has served as a Youth Pastor, Assistant Pastor and now an Executive Pastor. Pastor Jeremy is a gifted speaker with a passionate ability to reach the heart of the listener. He has a servant's heart, always looking to serve the needs of the congregation. Jeremy attended Oklahoma State University and is a proud Oklahoma State Cowboy.
Erica just happens to be Pastor and the First Lady’s eldest daughter. She and Jeremy were married in 2013. Erica is a very crucial part of the ministry at Family Church. From her involvement in the administrative office assisting her dad, to her beautiful gift of singing, and her work and performance on the Praise and Worship Team, Erica is very involved in the operations of the church. Outside Family Church, Erica is a 4th and 5th grade teacher at Destiny Christian School. She attended Mid-America Christian University.
Pastor Jeremy served Family Church as the Assistant Pastor for 7 years, and then was recently promoted to serve as Executive Pastor. Jeremy was called to preach the Gospel at the age of 17. Since that time, he has served as a Youth Pastor, Assistant Pastor and now an Executive Pastor. Pastor Jeremy is a gifted speaker with a passionate ability to reach the heart of the listener. He has a servant's heart, always looking to serve the needs of the congregation. Jeremy attended Oklahoma State University and is a proud Oklahoma State Cowboy.
Erica just happens to be Pastor and the First Lady’s eldest daughter. She and Jeremy were married in 2013. Erica is a very crucial part of the ministry at Family Church. From her involvement in the administrative office assisting her dad, to her beautiful gift of singing, and her work and performance on the Praise and Worship Team, Erica is very involved in the operations of the church. Outside Family Church, Erica is a 4th and 5th grade teacher at Destiny Christian School. She attended Mid-America Christian University.
Larry, Jennifer and their 4 children have been an exceptional blessing to Family Church since they joined our staff in 2017.
Pastor Larry serves as Family Church’s Children’s Pastor and has a wonderful way of connecting with, and ministering to the children. Pastor Larry reaches the children with a mix of contemporary, and “old school” methods, such as videos, PowerPoint, Bible studies, preaching, teaching, praying, crafts, games and playing on the playground. Pastor Larry is also a gifted adult preacher and teacher, as well, and at times assist Pastor Allen in the Sanctuary. Pastor Larry attended World Evangelism Bible College, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Jennifer assist her husband in the Children’s Ministry’s Department and also serves in the Nursery. Besides serving at Family Church, Jennifer is a full-time wife, and mom, and works full-time outside the home for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Jennifer attended Texas State College.
Pastor Larry serves as Family Church’s Children’s Pastor and has a wonderful way of connecting with, and ministering to the children. Pastor Larry reaches the children with a mix of contemporary, and “old school” methods, such as videos, PowerPoint, Bible studies, preaching, teaching, praying, crafts, games and playing on the playground. Pastor Larry is also a gifted adult preacher and teacher, as well, and at times assist Pastor Allen in the Sanctuary. Pastor Larry attended World Evangelism Bible College, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Jennifer assist her husband in the Children’s Ministry’s Department and also serves in the Nursery. Besides serving at Family Church, Jennifer is a full-time wife, and mom, and works full-time outside the home for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Jennifer attended Texas State College.
