JC teen never doubted calling to serve in Israel

"There was a purpose for being there'

Despite missiles flying over head and gunfire in the distance, Luke Benke says he never waivered in his belief that God had called him to Israel with Team Missions International this summer.
Despite missiles flying over head and gunfire in the distance, Luke Benke says he never waivered in his belief that God had called him to Israel with Team Missions International this summer.

Even when missiles were flying above him and gunfire could be heard not far away, Luke Benke says he never doubted that God had called him to missions in Israel this summer.

Benke committed to the idea of serving with Team Missions International seven months ago and he sent in no alternative location.

By the time Benke's team arrived at Tel Aviv airport, the search for three missing Israeli teenagers - later found murdered Palestinians- was nearly over.

His parents, John and Nichole Benke, followed the Middle East crisis unfolding, but tried to "walk the walk" they have taught their children - trust God, she said.

"We told him to trust in the lord, and we believed God would keep our kid safe," Nichole said. "And we trusted Team Missions knew what they were doing."

Benke's team was sent to the town of Beit-Jala to build a two-room building for the Hope Secondary School on the West Bank. They continued to install landscaping, construct the new building and share their faith with nearby churches until July 17.

One week before their scheduled departure, the mission team members caught flights out of Israel just before the airport closed. Benke's group left from a layover in Amsterdam one hour before the ill-fated flight to Malaysia was shot down over Ukraine.

By the time they arrived at the Atlanta, Ga., airport, the ground incursion into Gaza had begun.

Benke is the third generation in his family to serve with Team Missions International. The family each year discusses the missions program, but the 17-year-old this year said he felt God calling him to Israel.

He sought support, both financial and prayerful, from friends and family. And Benke's mother was amazed at how God provided, she said.

Once he left for the program's two-week "boot camp," Benke's lifestyle changed - no cell phone, no iced drinks, bathing out of buckets and living in tents.

He knew what to expect and the hardships did not change his belief in what he was doing.

"I just felt it was where I should go," said Benke, who returned to Mid-Missouri on Tuesday.

Even when the news of crisis increased, Benke said, "I knew there was a purpose for being there."