Rev. Dr. Holly C. Benzenhafer

Rev. Dr. Holly C. Benzenhafer is Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church in Needham. A spiritual director and contemplative Christian, Holly seeks to incorporate intentionality, discernment, and compassion into holistic daily living and community.  She develops contextually-oriented spiritual practices; creative spiritual formation; and spaces for balancing work, rest, sleep and worship as sacred acts.  Holly holds certification as a labyrinth facilitator through Veriditas and in Religion and Conflict Transformation through Boston Theological Institute.  We value her ministry with us at FBC Needham.

Holly was ordained by Northminster Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi in 2009, and affiliates with Alliance of Baptists, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists. Holly holds a Ph.D. in Practical Theology and Spirituality from Boston University School of Theology, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from BU with her M.Div. specializing in Spirituality.  

Prior to moving to Massachusetts in 2003, Holly was sociology faculty at Mississippi College and Hinds Community College and a juried member of the Craftsman’s Guild of Mississippi in Handweaving.  She delights in her daughter and son-in-law, Kristen and Greylyn Hydinger, of Watertown, MA; loose-leaf iced tea; and her three cats, Serena, Samhain, and Moonshine.

Church Office email: churchoffice@fbcneedham.org
Church Office phone: 781-400-5867