The Benson Family Singers Rachelle, left, Aaron, Pete and David. Luke is also a member of the group, but did not perform in this song.
MIXING HUMOR AND SERIOUSNESS with music ranging from foot-stomping bluegrass to gospel, barbershop style and even rap, The Benson Family Singers of Faribault presented a wholesome family concert Saturday evening that has me singing their praises.
Posted on the bulletin board inside the church entry.
This family—Pete and Rachelle and sons David, 13; Aaron, 11; and Luke, 9—performed at St. Luke’s Church, Faribault, to raise awareness and funds for the Pregnancy Options LifeCare Center. Paul, 2, has yet to make his stage debut.
But if he’s anything like his brothers and parents, his musical talents, enthusiasm and confidence will shine during shows at churches, festivals and elsewhere.
The family will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 1, at the Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault, in what is billed as “the perfect family entertainment experience.” That it should be.
In today’s world, it’s truly refreshing to listen to musicians like the Bensons. You needn’t worry that they’ll say or sing anything remotely offensive. They are genuine, Christ-loving and family-focused with their music as their family ministry.
Their purpose, says Pete, is “preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever we go. It’s the most important thing we can do in this life.”
So, in a break between songs, this father of four sons shared his faith with the audience at St. Luke’s.
The family balances its serious message with humor as Luke role-played Lars and Pete his counterpart, Ole, in several Norwegian jokes. Not too worry. All of their jokes are kid-friendly funny.
A rapt audience at St. Luke’s.
The Bensons definitely reach out to kids with Sunday School songs like “This Little Light of Mine” and other selections that have young and old alike clapping in time to the music. Think a bluegrass tune from The Andy Griffith Show.
Listening to their barbershop style a cappella singing is an absolute auditory pleasure.
I especially enjoyed the old familiar hymns such as “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder” and “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.”
The Benson “boys” present a rap version of “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.”
But, by far, the hit of the evening for me, and I expect many in the audience, were the family’s numerous versions of “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.” The family pulled out barbershop hats, sunglasses and other props to sing “Leaning” in styles from Johann Sebastian Bach to barbershop to doo-wop, Beach Boys, “clean rap” and music from the hills of Tennessee or Kentucky.
It felt good to laugh.
And it felt good, in the closing song, to join this talented family in singing the chorus of “There Is Power in the Blood.”
FYI: To learn more about the Benson Family Singers, click here. To learn more about their upcoming performance at the Paradise Center for the Arts, click here.
Information about the Pregnancy Options LifeCare Center was available at the concert.
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I so love such family groups!!! For many years I did a Sunday morning “Worship in the Park” during our Hoedown event in July. Several years I had the Froiland Family…..same type of entertainment…..but the kids (home-schooled) grew up and sought out their own paths. Glad to hear of another such group!!!
The Benson kids are homeschooled, too, and actually a dear friend of mine who homeschools alerted me to this concert.
Wonderful!!!!!!
Sounds like a wonderful evening of good ole Christian songs and fellowship. Kind of ironic, a few of the ladies from my church got together today for lunch and to sing some old hymns that we don’t hear so much anymore. All the songs you mentioned in your post I started singing them in my head as I read them 🙂
That is so wonderful about some ladies from your church getting together to sing the old and familiar. For me, those old hymns give me the most comfort and joy. Two Sundays in a row now, we’ve sung “Beautiful Saviour,” my favorite hymn, in church.
I saw this group last spring in Oshkosh. They were some of the entertainment at a Barbershoppers gig that a couple of men from my church belong. Excellent entertainment!
Sounds like you enjoyed The Benson Family Singers as much as we did, cousin.
What a beautiful family and how fantastic that they are all talented and love to work together as one. I’m sure that 2-year old will be joining them in no time at all. What a great night out for members of your community and how lovely that you can take anyone of any age and they won’t be offended. Sorry I’ve been absent – I’ve been away on a cruise. I was keeping everyone updated on my FB page but was unable to do any posts due to the high cost (exhorbitant internet charges) xx
Charlie, you would have loved The Benson Family Singers with their uplifting music and message.
Your cruise sounded fabulous. What wonderful family memories and such a good time.
What a FUN Event!!! I am always amazed at the musical talents of people, especially in families where it does not seem to skip a generation. Thanks so much for sharing this family and their talents to lift people’s spirits:)
Yeah, I was like, how can one family possibly possess so much talent? We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of The Benson Family Singers’ concert.