Five Gallons of Oil
01 Five Gallons of Oil
2026
When I write about trials that we go through, it is not because I need to get them off my chest or somehow identify the individuals involved. It is to help those in ministry and those going into ministry recognize spiritual warfare and not let the attack cause them to lose hope or any of the vision the Lord has given them.
The great number of personal attacks that I go through are from missionaries and pastors—most of whom I have never met.
I had heard about one group that I thought had a great legacy for the Kingdom, and I looked forward to meeting them. Their ministry was spread across many nations. In one nation, I heard one of them had a church, and I sent missionaries from Far Reaching Ministries (FRM) to ask if they needed funds to build a sanctuary. They responded that the political climate made it better not to build, but to meet in private homes, which I understood.
In another country that was at war, I gave another individual from the same group $100,000 to help people suffering from the war.
Then I got a message sent through one of our staff saying that before I did anything in that country, I needed to write a proposal, and a particular woman in this group would let me know if I was approved or not.
I sent back a message saying that when the Lord calls us to do a work, we do not ask others for permission. That being said, we were not working in the areas they were in, and they had nothing to worry about. We had no desire to steal sheep from them or encroach on their work, if that was their concern.
But the misrepresentation about me personally continued. I asked the one we had given $100,000 to if we could speak with this group, and he did not want to. He did not want to be in the middle of any conflict with his team, even though he knew the truth of what our intentions really were, and that is to spread the Gospel to more and more of the lost.
In another country, they were also speaking badly, saying we were bringing division into Calvary Chapels. The problem with that argument is that we are not involved with any Calvary Chapels in that country. Unfortunately, our intentions did not matter because they had already made up their minds and were not interested in the truth. All it would take is a cup of coffee together for them to understand how we work and how we truly only want to support what the Lord is doing.
My point is this: if the Lord has called you, and you are bearing great fruit, others will most assuredly become jealous and attempt to slander you to anyone who will listen. (Matthew 7:16–20)
In South America, we are supporting a church that is doing great work. They have about 500+ adults, and probably that many youths. But the pastor is constantly under attack by other jealous pastors. You see, most of those who are spreading lies and division among the Body of Christ have between five and ten people in their congregation. In truth, they are still more of a home fellowship than a church, and envy has gotten the best of them.
TRUST, BELIEVE, AND KNOW THE WILL OF GOD, AND HOW TO KNOW THE VOICE OF CHRIST.
Do the work and let the fruit speak for itself.
When missionaries from the field come in for leave and bring their children, I always offer to send them to Disneyland and let the children go to the toy store to get something they want, even when they are not our missionaries. Why? Because most missionaries cannot afford to take their kids to Disneyland, and I do not want the children to grow up thinking that, because their parents served the Lord, they always had to go without.
Of course, others say this is simply me trying to buy people. Sadly, I could write pages of this kind of nonsense from others in ministry.
Jesus said that if you call your brother a fool, you are in danger of hell. (Matthew 5:22) What does this mean? It is about destroying someone’s character by saying false things. The book of Revelation says all liars shall not enter the Kingdom of God. (Revelation 21:8)
Over the years, we have had so many people contact us and say it was because of our ministry work that they turned to Christ and are now pastors or missionaries. I have also seen many young people who went to the mission field leave because of the way other pastors and missionaries treated them.
If this happens to you, I suggest you do what we do: do the work and let the fruit speak for itself.
I had a pastor call me last year and tell me that the first three years he knew me, he hated me because he thought I was lying about everything. I invited him to South Sudan, and now we are close friends. He tells others that I have totally understated how much FRM is doing across 40+ countries.
If you have experienced this behavior, take my years of experience and advice, and do not grow weary in well doing, for in due season you will reap a harvest of righteousness. (Galatians 6:9) And remember, Jesus said that if they persecute you, remember they persecuted Me first. (John 15:18–20) We need to remember that those who hated Jesus the most were the religious leaders of His time.
Love is the bridge that leads the hurting to Christ.
On another note, we have about 10 frontline pastors in war zones and highly impoverished nations that need reliable cars for ministry. We need to raise about $30,000–$40,000 for each pastor’s vehicle. Though this figure sounds steep, you also have to include import tariffs and transportation costs to get the right type of vehicle into these countries.
We just purchased a new Toyota Highlander for a pastor and leader of our chaplain program in Moldova. It cost $54,000 and brought tears to his and his wife’s eyes. His monthly income is a meager $600, and he could never have afforded a reliable ministry vehicle like this.
One of the stories that really touched me while in Moldova was about two boys. They were part of chaplain projects in Moldova and Ukraine called “Shop with a Cop.” This is when a police officer takes a poor child shopping for Christmas. They are given about $60 to spend, and almost all children buy toys and candy.
One boy, who was about 13 years old, went directly to the grocery section of the store and got five gallons of oil, a large bag of potatoes, carrots, and things like porridge and wheat flour—but not a single toy, not even a piece of chocolate for himself.
When they got to the cashier, the cashier asked why he had not gotten anything for himself. She was told that his mother was single and had many children. Like so many heartbreaking testimonies, she had been abandoned by her husband, and he has refused to support his children.
The boy said, “My mother, brothers, and sisters are hungry.” The cashier started crying; she went and bought the boy a large chocolate bar with her own money, and the boy took it home to share with his brothers and sisters. I so appreciate his heart.
The other boy shared the same story and did the same thing; he only purchased items to feed his mother, brothers, and sisters.
I have asked Vitaliy to locate these families so we can provide for these children. If you would like to sign up for any amount as a recurring donation by automatic debit, or give a one-time gift, we will guarantee that all funds go to these families. An automatic debit is helpful to us to provide a monthly income to clothe and feed these destitute families. Love is the bridge that leads the hurting to Christ.
In all my years of speaking in churches, I can say with complete honesty that raising support for chaplains, pastors, missionaries, and feeding poor families has never been on my mind when I entered a church to speak. My first priority is to share with believers how to trust, believe, and know the will of God, how to know the voice of Christ. This has always been my main priority.
Most missionaries I meet in the field struggle financially to survive. And when they come home from years of serving, most often they are only allowed to share at small Bible studies or prayer meetings where no one attends. Many pastors have no problem making $100,000 to $200,000 a year, yet they do not even think about how much missionaries on the front lines struggle to provide for their families and constantly go without.
Before you make assumptions about other believers’ motives, you should at least give them the courtesy of a phone call, where you can listen to their heart and see the fruit that is being produced. It does not please the Lord when we misrepresent the truth and bring division to His church in the U.S. or across the globe.
I have wrestled for months over whether to send out this newsletter, but I truly believe the Lord wanted me to address this bad behavior. The Bible says, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7) In South Sudan, many people who should hate us are at peace with us, and I know it is because of the Lord. As God’s children in ministry, we are supposed to be on the same side and not tear one another down through jealousy.
Starting on April 1, 2026, the 12th class of chaplains will begin. We will have about 75 students who will spend one year going through the Bible and physically training for ministry in combat zones. We have lost 78 men to the war. This will help to bring the Chaplain Corps back to strength for the battles that will come.
In Christ,
Wes Bentley
Far Reaching Ministries
MOLDOVAN OR UKRAINIAN CHILD
In Moldova and Ukraine, Far Reaching Ministries has witnessed many poor single mothers who have been abandoned by their husbands. As a result, their children often suffer from a lack of food and basic necessities.
We urgently need sponsors willing to support these children through a monthly gift. If a recurring commitment is not possible, a one-time donation is also greatly appreciated.
Please prayerfully consider helping in this difficult situation. If you would count it a privilege to support one of these precious children, please designate your gift as “Moldovan or Ukrainian Child.”
VEHICLES FOR FRONTLINE PASTORS
Far Reaching Ministries supports approximately 10 frontline pastors serving in war zones and highly impoverished nations who need reliable vehicles for ministry. The cost of providing a suitable vehicle ranges from $30,000 to $40,000 each. While this may seem high, the total includes import tariffs, shipping, and transportation expenses required to deliver the appropriate vehicle to these countries.
If you would like to help meet this need, please designate your gift as “Vehicle for Frontline Pastors.” Your support will help equip these pastors to continue serving their communities effectively and safely.