DIOCESAN BISHOP DR. WILLIAM A. BENSON
Raised in Chicago, Illinois, where he lived until his early teens, Dr. William A. Benson moved to San Diego, California, by way of Sacramento, where he served a distinguished 29-year career with the United States Government. In his role, Dr. Benson operated a $600 million budget while overseeing a staff of more than 237 individuals.
Dr. Benson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from the University of Grace and Truth, a Masters of Divinity degree from the Five Fold Theological Seminary, a Doctoral Degree in Divinity from the Five Fold Theological Seminary, an extension of San Diego State University, a Ph.D. from the California University of Theology, and a Ph.D. from Aenon Bible College.
In 2001, Dr. Benson heeded the call to the pastorate and established Total Deliverance Worship Center of the Apostolic Faith, Inc., which held its first service at the Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley, California. Since then, Total Deliverance has outgrown every edifice it has called home – one soul at a time. Dr. Benson is proud that, in November 2020, Total Deliverance found its home in the historic edifice located at 138 28th Street, San Diego, California. Erected in the early 20th century by the late, Honorable Bishop John Caldwell, an understudy to the late Honorable Bishop G.T. Haywood, the church became the first-ever West Coast headquarters of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Incorporated (“PAW”), solidifying its place in the organization’s illustrious lineage – and earning its revered title, the Home church.
In March 2022, the Board of Bishops of the PAW selected Dr. Benson for elevation to the office of Bishop, a post in which he will be ordained and installed in August 2022. Presently, Bishop-Elect Benson serves as the Suffragan Bishop of Region One (San Diego) as well as the first-ever chairman of the historic Southern California District Council (“SCDC”). Additionally, Bishop Donnie N. McGriff, Diocesan Bishop of the SCDC, named, and the PAW ratified, Bishop-Elect Benson as his successor to the post of Diocesan Bishop of the SCDC, effective in August 2022.
A licensed counselor, Dr. Benson has worked tirelessly within the church and throughout the greater community to build up and strengthen individuals, families and communities at large through counseling, education and empowerment. Consistent with this focus, Dr. Benson founded the Men of Valor in 2004, a dynamic ministry for men who are, “Armed with the Word” and embody Godly examples of servant leadership and exemplify what men of God should be at home, in worship and in civic responsibility.
Consistent with the empowerment thrust of the vision God gave him and rooted in the belief that the church should be the heartbeat of every community, Dr. Benson founded Stepping Higher, Incorporated and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. A non-profit organization, Stepping Higher serves as a beacon within the greater San Diego community by offering a variety of professional and wrap-around services, including counseling, emergency housing, drug and alcohol treatment, housing for women and children, court-ordered remedial classes, wellness and fitness classes, nutritional education and a food distribution program that feeds thousands of individuals every month.
Underscoring the education thrust of the vision, on October 19, 2013, American College & Theological Seminary International University (ACTS-IU) was born. ACTS-IU offers Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. degrees across a host of disciplines.
Dr. Benson wears many hats in the local San Diego and greater Southern California community. He is the President of the San Diego Chapter of Pastors on Point, an organization comprised of Pastors in the City of San Diego of various denominations who are committed to working together to create a better quality of life for their communities and congregants. Further, Dr. Benson was a long-standing member of the faith-based advisory board for the City of San Diego, having been selected and appointed by San Diego’s then-Mayor, The Honorable Kevin Falconer. Dr. Benson is often tapped to weigh in on difficult and delicate issues with which the City must grapple on behalf of its constituents.
Total Deliverance is a critical COVID-19 testing and vaccination sight; moreover, an initiative affiliated with Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has selected Total Deliverance to participate in a faith-based effort, Shot of Faith, to educate communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 about the virus and the available vaccines.
An acclaimed author of the book, “Ingredients for a Blended Family.” Dr. Benson lives the life he teaches. He is married to the love of his life, Dr. Rachelle Y. Benson with whom he enjoys working in ministry full time. Together, they are parents to two daughters and one son, grandparents to four grandchildren, and are an example of a blended family that works. Dr. Benson’s ultimate desire is to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” and until that day, he desires to leave no work undone – one soul at a time.
Raised in Chicago, Illinois, where he lived until his early teens, Dr. William A. Benson moved to San Diego, California, by way of Sacramento, where he served a distinguished 29-year career with the United States Government. In his role, Dr. Benson operated a $600 million budget while overseeing a staff of more than 237 individuals.
Dr. Benson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from the University of Grace and Truth, a Masters of Divinity degree from the Five Fold Theological Seminary, a Doctoral Degree in Divinity from the Five Fold Theological Seminary, an extension of San Diego State University, a Ph.D. from the California University of Theology, and a Ph.D. from Aenon Bible College.
In 2001, Dr. Benson heeded the call to the pastorate and established Total Deliverance Worship Center of the Apostolic Faith, Inc., which held its first service at the Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley, California. Since then, Total Deliverance has outgrown every edifice it has called home – one soul at a time. Dr. Benson is proud that, in November 2020, Total Deliverance found its home in the historic edifice located at 138 28th Street, San Diego, California. Erected in the early 20th century by the late, Honorable Bishop John Caldwell, an understudy to the late Honorable Bishop G.T. Haywood, the church became the first-ever West Coast headquarters of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Incorporated (“PAW”), solidifying its place in the organization’s illustrious lineage – and earning its revered title, the Home church.
In March 2022, the Board of Bishops of the PAW selected Dr. Benson for elevation to the office of Bishop, a post in which he will be ordained and installed in August 2022. Presently, Bishop-Elect Benson serves as the Suffragan Bishop of Region One (San Diego) as well as the first-ever chairman of the historic Southern California District Council (“SCDC”). Additionally, Bishop Donnie N. McGriff, Diocesan Bishop of the SCDC, named, and the PAW ratified, Bishop-Elect Benson as his successor to the post of Diocesan Bishop of the SCDC, effective in August 2022.
A licensed counselor, Dr. Benson has worked tirelessly within the church and throughout the greater community to build up and strengthen individuals, families and communities at large through counseling, education and empowerment. Consistent with this focus, Dr. Benson founded the Men of Valor in 2004, a dynamic ministry for men who are, “Armed with the Word” and embody Godly examples of servant leadership and exemplify what men of God should be at home, in worship and in civic responsibility.
Consistent with the empowerment thrust of the vision God gave him and rooted in the belief that the church should be the heartbeat of every community, Dr. Benson founded Stepping Higher, Incorporated and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. A non-profit organization, Stepping Higher serves as a beacon within the greater San Diego community by offering a variety of professional and wrap-around services, including counseling, emergency housing, drug and alcohol treatment, housing for women and children, court-ordered remedial classes, wellness and fitness classes, nutritional education and a food distribution program that feeds thousands of individuals every month.
Underscoring the education thrust of the vision, on October 19, 2013, American College & Theological Seminary International University (ACTS-IU) was born. ACTS-IU offers Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. degrees across a host of disciplines.
Dr. Benson wears many hats in the local San Diego and greater Southern California community. He is the President of the San Diego Chapter of Pastors on Point, an organization comprised of Pastors in the City of San Diego of various denominations who are committed to working together to create a better quality of life for their communities and congregants. Further, Dr. Benson was a long-standing member of the faith-based advisory board for the City of San Diego, having been selected and appointed by San Diego’s then-Mayor, The Honorable Kevin Falconer. Dr. Benson is often tapped to weigh in on difficult and delicate issues with which the City must grapple on behalf of its constituents.
Total Deliverance is a critical COVID-19 testing and vaccination sight; moreover, an initiative affiliated with Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has selected Total Deliverance to participate in a faith-based effort, Shot of Faith, to educate communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 about the virus and the available vaccines.
An acclaimed author of the book, “Ingredients for a Blended Family.” Dr. Benson lives the life he teaches. He is married to the love of his life, Dr. Rachelle Y. Benson with whom he enjoys working in ministry full time. Together, they are parents to two daughters and one son, grandparents to four grandchildren, and are an example of a blended family that works. Dr. Benson’s ultimate desire is to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” and until that day, he desires to leave no work undone – one soul at a time