Defy the Odds: How God Can Use Your Past to Shape Your Future
Ebook
—Roma Downey, Emmy®-nominated actress and producer
Pastor Benny Tate never faced a time that wasn’t filled with
obstacles. Each season of life came with setbacks that often seemed
insurmountable: the abusive father figure who tormented Benny and
his mother, the lack of guidance in his early adulthood, and the
illness and infertility he and his wife battled in their
marriage.
Yet in every crisis, God was there to redeem pain for glory,
transforming Benny’s life into a moving testament to His power.
Through his struggles, Benny’s faith grew as he saw how God
provided him with the strength, wisdom, and resources he needed to
overcome each staggering challenge placed before him.
In parts a memoir that will tug on your heartstrings, a guide to
get you through tough times, and a reminder to never see yourself
as the victim of your own life, Defy the Odds will inspire
your soul as it proves that you follow a God who can—and will—see
you through the impossible.
“It is my great privilege to recommend the book Defy the
Odds by my dear friend Benny Tate. From the very beginning of
his life, even until now, he has by the grace of God defied the
odds at every turn. No matter how helpless or hopeless you may
think your situation is if you read this book you will be convinced
otherwise. I cannot commend it too highly.”
—James Merritt, host of Touching Lives, senior pastor of
Cross Pointe Church, former president of the Southern Baptist
Convention
“Talk about an ‘underdog,’ what are the chances or the odds? Yet
God! In His mercy He took Benny Tate’s mess and performed a
miracle. Need Hope? It is in the pages of this book!”
—Pastor Johnny Hunt, senior vice president of the North American
Mission Board, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention,
pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church in Woodstock,
Georgia
“Whatever or whoever is standing in your way will be removed
from your life! How can I say that? If God can do that for my
friend Benny Tate, He will do the same for you. Defy the
Odds may just be the most transparent and transformative book
you will read. Not only will you read it, you will want all those
you love to read it too. I’ve known Pastor Benny Tate for many
years and reading this book only grew my respect, admiration and
honor for him.”
—Sam Chand, leadership consultant and author of Harnessing
the Power of Tension
"Pastor Benny speaks wisdom in practical ways we can grasp and
apply to our own lives. It's authentic because he has lived it in
his own life. He doesn't preach from a lofty tower, he wasn't born
in a pulpit. His life had a dreadful beginning but he chose to
surrender his life fully to the One who had a good plan for his
life: Jesus Christ. This is his story."
—Ruth Graham author of Forgiving My Father, Forgiving Myself:
An Invitation to the Miracle of Forgiveness and Transforming
Loneliness: Deepening Our Relationship with God and Others When We
Feel Alone
“Pastor Benny Tate’s story is one of both inspiration and faith.
The guy who starts on third base and gets home and acts like he hit
a home run has never impressed me. My good friend Pastor Tate not
only didn’t start on third base, he wasn’t even in the stadium. His
life is proof that if you have faith and the right mindset and
belief, you can truly do anything and defy all odds.”
—John Calipari, head coach of University of Kentucky Men’s
Basketball
“Benny Tate is no stranger to adversity and heartache. However,
his story is a perfect example of how God can overcome every
difficult circumstance and use anyone regardless of their past.
This book offers hope to all who read it! Each chapter provides
practical application for believing God for big things and trusting
Him to defy the odds in your life!”
—Dr. Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of First Baptist in Dallas,
Texas
“This story of a brave young man from an ungodly background with
the courage to "defy the odds" as a pastor and leader is a
challenge to every Christian to stand firm in the faith.”
—Mrs. Joyce Rogers, author, board member of Love Worth Finding
Ministries
“Defy the Odds, by my friend Benny Tate, will strengthen
your faith in the fact that with God, all things are
possible!”
—Pastor Jim Cymbala, Brooklyn Tabernacle
- Title: Defy the Odds: How God Can Use Your Past to Shape Your Future
- Authors: Jentezen Franklin, Benny Tate, Brittany McKneely
- Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
- Print Publication Date: 2022
- Logos Release Date: 2022
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9780736985109, 9780736985093, 0736985107, 0736985093
- Resource ID: LLS:9780736985109
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-29T00:04:07Z
Benny Tate, PhD, has served for over 30 years as the
senior pastor of Rock Springs Church in Milner, Georgia. Dr. Tate
serves as president of the Congregational Methodist Denomination,
and he has served many times as chaplain for the United States
Senate and the United States House of Representatives in
Washington, DC.
Brittany McKneely, staff writer at Rock Springs Church,
worked as a high school English teacher for more than ten years
before transitioning to full-time writing. She and her husband,
Taylor, live in Georgia with their two wonderful boys. She and her
family enjoy traveling the country and being outdoors.