Becky Benes received her Master's of Pastoral Studies from LIM in 2003. She studied with an extension group in San Angelo, TX.  Since then she has founded Peace Ambassadors, a group of Muslims, Jews, Christians, Baha’is, Buddhists, and Hindus laity who have banded together to promote peace through education, understanding and building relationships in West Texas.  They (1) sponsor the Season of Peace in September which is focused on Interfaith dialogues, seminars and meals; (2) offer peace Camp: an interfaith camp for kids ages 7 to 12 each summer; (3) sponsor Faith Club: an ongoing book club which meets weekly to discuss books about all faiths; (4) offer opening prayers from each faith tradition for our city and county meetings; (5) have raised $17,000 to build a school in Afghanistan; several hundred pounds of food for our food bank; (6) led a trip entitled World Religions without Leaving Texas, a 3 day tour of religious sites in Houston.

Becky is a certified business coach who also leads workshops and church retreats. Her book Oh My Chocolate: God, the Great Chocolatier focuses on the sacredness of all individuals, all of creation.  The charity it benefits helps children who have a parent that is incarcerated. To read more about the book and learn how to purchase a copy, please visit http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2012/feb/24/a-sweet-spiritual-delicacy/.

(The image  of Becky is courtesy of the Go San Angelo website http://www.gosanangelo.com).