Jon StojanMy Goal is for people to be able to see the love of God through me. When they see me, I want them to see the face of Jesus Christ and the light of love that shines within me. That light is God, and that light will guide humanity. These words illuminate the life of Marco Benavides, the author of Experiencing God’s Love Through The Gifts and Healing Powers of the Holy Spirit: A Personal Story About Overcoming Adversity Through Faith, Hope, and Love, the founder of the Holy Spirit Ministrynonprofit, and the author of a faith-based blog.
A profoundly religious man committed to sharing God’s love through his deeds and speech, Marco embarks on a mission to improve the world, commencing from his modest origins in Tijuana, Mexico. Marco attributes his fundamental beliefs, profound faith in God, and perseverance to his parents, Jose and Maria. He reveres his mother as a cornerstone of his existence, appreciating her fortitude and unwavering commitment to her family.
“Growing up, my mom lived on a farm with eight siblings. It was a tough upbringing that forced her to work every day to provide for her family from a tender age. She was a miracle,” Marco shares. “When my mom was about to enter this world, the doctors said there were complications with the pregnancy, and either she or my grandma could die. My grandfather, of course, chose his wife. Despite that, my mother survived through the grace of God and has been a divine miracle walking the Earth ever since. She sacrificed so much and has been the pillar of our family, showcasing strength even in the darkest moments.”
Marco’s father, raised by devout parents who stressed the significance of dedication to the Catholic faith, has played a crucial role in shaping the author’s experiences. Despite feeling a divine calling and considering priesthood by enrolling in a seminary during his youth, destiny led Marco’s father down a different path toward pursuing other opportunities. Nonetheless, his unwavering faith has consistently been the central pillar of his existence.
In 1978, Marco’s family courageously relocated to the United States to pursue a brighter future. Despite facing language barriers, his parents displayed unwavering determination and resilience, ensuring their children were surrounded by a home brimming with faith, optimism, and affection. Having recently established a dental practice in Los Angeles, Marco’s father tirelessly devoted himself to his work, often sacrificing his well-being and precious moments that could have been spent bonding with his loved ones.
As a young child, Marco grappled with feelings of abandonment due to his father’s relentless dedication to work. This led to years of resentment towards his dad, shaping Marco’s adulthood with a lingering sense of being left behind. However, as he embarked on a journey of rediscovery later in life, embracing Christ’s teachings, Marco unearthed a profound understanding within himself. He came to see that his father’s unwavering commitment and sacrifices were an embodiment of love, thus freeing him from the shackles of past bitterness.
In a defining moment in 1994, Marco faced a life-altering event during his military service that led to a traumatic brain injury. This experience marked the beginning of a challenging journey as he navigated through severe depression and anxiety after leaving the military. Years later, Marco received diagnoses of PTSD and bipolar disorder, plunging him into a world of darkness, solitude, and despair. Despite his initial resolve never to repeat his father’s actions of abandoning his family, Marco found himself trapped in loneliness, distancing himself from his loved ones. Filled with bitterness towards God and society, he grappled with overwhelming emotions that made him question the value of life itself.
Through all the ups and downs, Marco’s mother had stood by his side, always there to support him as he navigated the complexities of mental illness. “There is nothing in the world as strong as a mother’s love,” shares Marco. “Even when everyone else turned their backs on me, my mother never left my side.”
Through the support of his mother and the love of Christ, Marco faced his demons, finding light on the other side of the tunnel. As Marco’s connection to God grew, he started experiencing the love of the Holy Spirit, who inspired him to start journaling. Personal diary entries quickly evolved into an online blog created to inspire and ignite hope and then into his first book, titled Experiencing God’s Love Through The Gifts and Healing Powers of the Holy Spirit: A Personal Story About Overcoming Adversity Through Faith, Hope, and Love. To fuel his mission of improving the world guided by the Holy Spirit, Marco created the Holy Spirit Ministry, a nonprofit dedicated to reinforcing God’s presence and positive impact in the world.
In my journey, I have been touched by the divine grace of God. Witnessing the presence of the Lord in my life was a transformative experience that altered everything within me. As I put pen to paper, it is not my voice that speaks but rather the gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit, shaping each word and sentence with care. Through seeking God earnestly and embracing the blessings of the Holy Spirit, I have come to understand that every aspect of life falls into place harmoniously. I aspire to share this profound message globally through my creative endeavors.