Whitney Bendure

I accepted Jesus into my heart when I began my years in junior high. Almost instantaneously all I wanted to do was be in the church. I always found a way to serve, even if it was just helping arrange small decorative items around the church. Through my middle and high school years, I realized what it truly meant to have a relationship with the Lord. 

I had a big love for music, so soon after joining the youth group in my church I began on the youth worship team. Every time I sang I could feel the words going deeper and deeper into my soul, helping me recognize the true meaning of worship. Pastor Samuel, who at the time was the youth minister of that church, and his wife Kathy helped grow me into the woman I am today by giving me many opportunities to learn and fully accept the Lord as the King of my life. 

Shortly after they pursued their calling into the development of a new Calvary Beaverton campus, I followed and began serving wherever I could. It was at this church, during my senior year of high school that I met my, now husband, Matthew. After graduating out of the youth group there was still this pull on my heart to continue serving wherever I was needed. It was at this point that there was a need to help organize and facilitate a few events during the Christmas season. I learned so much about what it meant to be part of ministry during that season and after finishing with the last event of the year, I felt this calling on my life in an area I never thought I’d be in. I discovered many different skills and abilities in myself that I was so excited to put to use for the Lord. 

Very soon after finishing that season, I was offered a part-time position to help in an administrative role at Calvary Chapel. Through the past couple of years, I have learned so much about this gifting that the Lord has given me and have been so blessed to transition into full-time ministry. I can’t wait to see what else the Lord has in store for my life.