Rachel D. Benton
Director of Children & Family Ministries
A native of Winston-Salem and a life-long United Methodist, Rachel is a graduate of Wofford College (BA in Religion & History) and Duke Divinity School (Master of Divinity with a Certificate in Christian Education) with over 15 years of professional experience in Children’s Ministry and Family Faith Formation. Most recently, Rachel has served as a contributing writer for Building Faith (an online Christian Education resource), and as a consultant for congregations who needed remote support for their children and family ministries during the pandemic and moving forward in this new expanded context for ministry. Rachel is especially passionate about intergenerational ministry, children’s spirituality, faith-at-home resources, incorporating children in worship, Godly Play, Eucharistic theology, Christian practices, seeking God in the everyday, and involving children and families in social justice and community ministries. Rachel believes that children are present-day disciples (not just future or preparatory ones!) whose full participation in the life of a congregation draws all of the body of Christ into deeper faithfulness.
Rachel is married to Rev. Jeremy Benton, an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church who is currently serving as the Associate Pastor at West Market Street UMC. Rachel and Jeremy have two children, who constantly remind them (and teach them) of God’s grace and expansive love!