In addition to serving as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Munford, Jackie Bentley is the chaplain and director of bereavement services at Lakeside Hospice.
Q: Why have you done this activity?
A: I believed it would be an extension of my ministry to help people who are terminally ill to find peace with God and man.
Q: What does the ministry demand?
A: I spend a lot of time with the terminally ill and their family members. It’s a full-time job and I’m on call 24 hours a day. We serve St. Clair County and Talladega County.
Q: What do you get from the ministry?
A: I get satisfaction in knowing that I’m helping people and that I’m a vessel for them to voice their spiritual concerns.
Q: What led you into this ministry?
A: After serving as pastor 25 years, I wanted to try something a little different and continue in the ministry. I felt that God led me into it.
Q: How do other family members support you?
A: My wife and daughter are very supportive. My daughter is a Lakeside Hospice volunteer. She is a special child with Down syndrome. She volunteers to do bereavement work and creates bereavement packets to give to all our families who have had a loss.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: I believe this is where I will be until the Lord calls me somewhere else. I’ve enjoyed the work so far and hope that I can do it for a long, long time.
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