DRIVEN BY PURPOSE MINISTRIES
Driven By Purpose Ministry Team
Senior Pastor
Carmeka T. Benning was born July 22, 1974 in Canton, Ohio and raised in Wooster, Ohio. The church was deeply rooted in her as she grew up in the First Baptist Church in Orville, Ohio. At the age of thirteen she joined Greater Deliverance Prayer Center C.O.G.I.C, where she was introduced to the Pentecostal way of praise and worship, and it was there that she was rooted. At the age of fourteen she gave her heart to God and began to seek after Him, soon after she heard the call to ministry. In a constant battle with who she was authentically, dealing with church hurt and being unfocused she left the church at the age of eighteen. She spent the next nineteen years running from God, the church and ministry. She ran despite of feeling constrained to live out her purpose, she often questioned God's love for her and wondered how she could be used by Him and remain authentic. She knew that she couldn't deny the call on her life any longer and began to search for a church home.
In March of 2012 Carmeka and her partner Voncelle joined The GoodLife Church of Columbus, an affirming ministry that celebrated who they were, and encouraged them to walk in God's purpose for there life. Soon after joining The GoodLife Church she was elevated to the position of Assistant Pastor. Immediately she began serving and helping to push the vision of the church. She was ordained as an Elder in the Lord's church in March 2013.
In January 2014, submitting to the will of the Lord she became the founder and Pastor of Driven By Purpose Ministries. Her charge and purpose is to push others to pursue their destiny, to minister to those who are hurting, and to ensure that they know that they are beautiful and wonderfully made by God's design. As well as assuring them that God has carved out a place in the Kingdom, just as they are and no matter who they are.
Executive Pastor
Executive Pastor Lori McCauley, a native of Columbus Ohio, serves as the Executive Pastor at Driven by Purpose Ministries located in Columbus Ohio. Lori is a dynamic teacher and speaker with a passion for seeing the Lord consume lives once consumed with hopelessness, darkness and despair. This unwavering faith led her to fulfill a vision wherein Jesus could show her strong and shine the brightest. As an anointed teacher, she draws on her own failures and shortcomings to deliver God’s Word. She is committed to winning souls for Christ so that marriages are restored, families are healed and another generation begins to rise up!
Lori McCauley received her Bachelor of Science in History and African American Studies and her Master of Arts in Criminal Justice at University of Cincinnati. Lori earned her Juris Doctor from University of Toledo College of Law in Toledo, Ohio. In 2008, she started her own Law firm as a Solo Practitioner. Ms. McCauley views her law practice as a ministry and seeks to serve her clients by diligent study and the ethical practice of law by ministering to the poor, reconciling people in conflict, defending life and protecting the religious liberties of all people.She legally married Shanna McCauley in 2011. She is the adopted and biological mother of eight beautiful children while previously fostering over 25 children in her lifetime. Being a wife, mother and Executive Pastor are her greatest accomplishments.
Executive Pastor Lori McCauley experienced a major life changing event in 2009 that caused her to call on the Lord. God began to get her attention and speak to her through the power of the Holy Spirit. This dramatic experience led her to respond to the call of God. The result was an immediate spiritual transformation. She was “born again” and began to seek the things of God. The Lord led her to her calling after many years of running; she accepted the call of God and has served on the ministerial staff since.