Wes Bentley
Director of Far Reaching Ministries
Wes Bentley, a former Marine, first traveled to Africa in 1996. Crossing crocodile infested rivers and wadding barefoot through swamps he delivered food, medicine, clothing and hope to predominantly Christian native people in South Sudan, where rebel soldiers continue to fight the Islamic government for greater autonomy.
This civil war has pitted the mostly Muslim- and Arab-controlled Sudan government against rebel soldiers with the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). Millions of people have died from war and famine since the insurrection broke out in 1983. Despite denials from the Sudanese government, accusations of state-sponsored genocide, the use of chemical weapons and a thriving human slave trade are all true. Wes has personally witnessed children die from lack of medication and food, fields of dead bodies where thousands lay dead, slaves being led to an auction, and atrocities against human rights. He has seen many people die at the hands of the Muslim controlled government.
Prior to Wes’ work in Africa, God prepared him as a missionary in Russia where he served for five years. Then on a vision tour, Wes recognized there was a greater need in Africa. He saw first-hand how the word of God can bring hope and comfort to people whose lives have been ripped apart by war. After much prayer, he was convinced that God gave him a vision to reach the continent of Africa and he established Far Reaching Ministries. The first step was to start a Biblical training center for chaplains in the SPLA which raised up men for the spiritual needs of an army that was fighting for freedom from forced Islamization. The second was to begin a child sponsorship program for the thousands of Sudanese refugees in Uganda. The third was the Children of War program. Far Reaching Ministries (FRM) opened all three projects in 1999.
In 2000, Far Reaching Ministries constructed two Bible schools in Uganda and began working alongside two orphanages started by Kenyan nationals. FRM has been actively planting churches with both American and national pastors. Wes was also instrumental in getting American and national pastors on the radio daily in Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda to bring sound biblical teaching to the airwaves of Africa. In 2004 the Lord opened the door for Wes to begin a new work with the Night Commuter Children in Northern Uganda. His vision is to disciple and protect 40,000 to 50,000 women and children from the Lord’s Resistance Amy (LRA).
While God has entrusted much to Wes and Far Reaching Ministries, the Lord continually expands the territory in which this organization is able to minister and bring hope where there is none. By His power and might, we will bring the gospel to the Dark Continent!