The Center for Leadership Development in Indianapolis will award its 2012 Accomplished Achievement Award to the Rev. Dr. T. Garrott Benjamin, Jr., senior pastor and resident bishop of Light of the World Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The CLD supports youth development work.
CLD President Dennis E. Bland said, “For years, he has striven to honor God by spreading the Gospel within his congregation and throughout the Indianapolis community. He has given his forceful, eloquent voice to many causes. His commitment and example is one we can proudly herald to the hundreds of CLD participants we nurture and challenge to pursue the highest levels of excellence in character, education, leadership, service, career and life.”
Bishop T. Garrott Benjamin has served as senior pastor of the historic Light of the World Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), for the last 43 years. Other awards include the Whistler Award from the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, the first African-American pastor to receive this honor and also the Indiana Fatherhood Hall of Fame.
He has maintained a non-partisan community activism that has never made him fearful of speaking truth to power with the sole purpose of creating the beloved community. Bishop is often affectionately called the “City’s Pastor” because of his civic involvement and keen interest in building bridges between races and religions.
Benjamin’s priority is children, and he has authored four (4) books including Boys To Men, The Home Alone Syndrome, Mama’s Boy and his most recent book, It’s All In Your Mind.
