FAITHFUL COVENANT MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 

Founder Pastor Cleo John Bennett was born on December 23, 1963 to Clayton Bennett & Ann Nelson in Texarkana, Arkansas. While in his mother's womb she knew he was a special child. After his birth a nun at the Hospital suggested his middle name be John After John the Baptist. Cleo spent most of his childhood years in Little Rock Arkansas. His family moved from Arkansas to California. After moving to California Cleo's mother met and married Cleveland King who Cleo had a great respect for and always attributed him as being the man he was. Cleo was baptized and accepted Christ at an early age he sang in the children's choir called the "Cheer Babes" at Second Baptist Church

where his family was active members.

 

Cleo attended Monte Vista Elementary School, Spurgeon Jr. High School and Valley High School

at Spurgeon he was named Cougar of the year and at Valley he was named Falcon of the year.

Cleo was a very talented football player and had started playing in Pop Warner League. Upon

graduating high school he went on to play football at Santa Ana College and Fullerton College

where he received an Associate of Arts Degree. Cleo continued his college education at Boise

StateUniversity. Cleo married his high school sweet heart Tonya Icenie Andrewin on August 2,

1986 they were married over 25 years. that union has been blessed with three sons Terrell,

Torrian and Tyler two granddaughters Jordyn and Amaya and a daughter in-Law Ashleigh.

pastor Bennett enjoyed spending time with his family he and Tonya went everywhere together

and he adored his granddaughters and his daughter in-law. where Pastor Bennett preached he

would request Tonyasing his  favorite song "His Eyes is on the Sparrow".

 

Pastor Bennett was employed at Odetics in Anaheim as a fitness trainer he worked there for

over 14 years until the company closed. Cleo was later employed at Menifee Athletics Club in

Menifee California where he worked in sales and as a personal trainer. He started basket ball pick up games but he didn't just work and play there he ministered the Gospel and saved many souls he was just that kind of God Man.

 

Pastor Bennett's family was members of Saint James Missionary Baptist Church, Santa Ana, California under the

pastoral ship of Pastor Richard Kessee Jr. Pastor Bennett served on the adult usher board for many years and later

was ordained a Deacon followed by the appointment of Vice Chairman of the board of Deacons.

 

On June 11, 2000 Pastor Bennett accepted his call to the ministry and received his "License to Preach" from Saint James Missionary Baptist Church. On January 8, 2003 Pastor Bennett was ordained a Baptist Minister by Tri-County District Association Moderator Pastor John Nix McReynolds, the late Pastor of Second Baptist Missionary Baptist Church of Santa Ana, California while under the leadership of Pastor Gary Watkins, current Pastor of Saint James Missionary Baptist Church. During Pastor Bennett's many years in the ministry he was the Pastor or Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of San Bernardino, California after leaving there he established Faithful Covenant Missionary Baptist Church of Colton, California. Where he was Pastor until he was called home to be with the Lord. All of the member's of Faithful Covenant Missionary Baptist Church loved Pastor Bennett had a consuming passion about teaching and preaching the Word of God that he loved so much and lived and believed Christ alone could and would change anyone's life. Pastor Bennett was so proud that all of his sisters was saved and had become members of Faithful Covenant Missionary Baptist Church. Family both physical and spiritual are so thankful that he was the man God used to reach them and help them understand the word of God for their lives.

 

December 23, 1963 - June 19, 2012