User:Laurie Idahosa

'Rev. Laurie Whetstone- Idahosa was born in Wilmington, Delaware, USA. Along with her one brother, Eric, she grew up in a Christian home with parents who are Pastors. She married the love of her life, Bishop F.E.Benson Idahosa in 2002 whom she first met at the tender age of 13. They have been blessed with three sons, Feb Jr., Nathaniel and Judah.

She has travelled to over 40 countries with renowned ministries sharing her faith and preaching the Gospel. She graduated from the School of Biblical Studies and the School of Ministerial Training in New Castle, DE and received her Bachelors in Christian Ministry from Chesapeake Bible College and Seminary in Maryland, USA. She trained with Living Water Teaching in Guatemala as a missionary and worked as an Emergency Medical Technician with the Wilmington Manor Fire Department in Delaware for several years. She functioned as a First Aid and CPR instructor with the American Red Cross and was also certified in Disaster Relief through the International Disaster Relief Organization in Oklahoma City, OK. She is a gifted event manager, real estate investor and has owned several successful businesses. She is trilingual in Spanish, Pidgin and English.

Rev. Laurie has worked at Benson Idahosa University since 2003 initially as the Director of Spiritual Life and later as the Director of Campus Life. She currently serves as an executive member of Christian Women Fellowship Int’l. (CWFI), an active board member of the Faith Mediplex Hospital (Benin City) and serves as the Senior Pastor CGMI Church Unusual Benin City. Along with her husband, she founded the flourishing “Big Ben’s Children’s Hospital” in Benin City, which was established after the tragic loss of their first son, Benson Idahosa III and Nathan American Academy, also in Benin City.

Prior to marriage, she was a foster parent of five children through the State of Delaware Family Services. She has always had a passion to reach children who have been abandoned or who come from difficult home environments Most recently, she has spearheaded the campaign to raise relief materials and funds for the support of the Internally Displaced Children relocated to Benin City as a result of Boko Haram terrorist group's activities in the North Eastern region of Nigeria. She is also working with other organizations to bring relief to refugee camps throughout the country.

She has contributed articles to innumerable publications, and has authored a book titled “Every Woman’s Journey”, published in 2014. More publications are expected from her in the near future.

She has received numerous awards for her humanitarian work and spiritual impact on society which includes the most recent one for the humanitarian service rendered to Children in Nigeria and beyond, from CGMI Church Redefined Bayelsa.

She is a strong, hospitable, visionary woman who has blended beautifully with the Nigerian community where she currently lives with her family. She is a Pastor, a motivational speaker and a mentor to countless people around the world. She is a warm and caring soul. When you know her, you feel as if you have met a lifelong friend.