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A bride, a groom and four preachers


When Benjamin Skinness and Valari Stewart were dating, he took her to hear his grandfather Larry Treadwell preach at the Beebe Church of Christ in Arkansas.
“The conversation started about preachers in the family,” said Valari, 24, daughter of Murray and Keli Stewart of Kearney, Mo.
There was certainly plenty to talk about.
The couple’s four minister grandfathers boast a combined total of 130 years of pulpit experience in Churches of Christ.
When Benjamin and Valari decided to marry, they knew exactly whom they wanted to perform the wedding ceremony: all four of their grandfathers.
“We decided that if all of them were willing, we could not pass on an opportunity to be united by all four pillars of our two families,” said Benjamin, 24, son of Brian and Stacey Skinness of Nevis, Minn.
The couple’s grandparents are:
 • Doug and Helen Hall, who live in Vernon, Texas, and have been married for 62 years. A graduate of Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver, he preached for 47 years.
Bill and Pamela Stewart, who live in Denver and have been married for 51 years. He has preached for 37 years and serves as an instructor and regional director of development and recruiting for Bear Valley Bible Institute.
Jerry and Dona Skinness, who live in Akeley, Minn., and have been married for 51 years. A graduate of York College in Nebraska, he retired from a secular job and preached for the Kandiyohi Church of Christ in Minnesota for five years.
Larry and Sharon Treadwell, who live in Beebe, Ark., and have been married for 46 years. He attended Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock, Texas, and has preached for 41 years.
Benjamin and Valari met at Harding University in Searcy, Ark. They married April 28 and attend the Westport Road Church of Christ in Louisville, Ky.

  • Feedback
    This is an awesome story, and how lucky for them to be joined in matrimony by their Grandfathers! My brother is a pastor, and he performed by daughter’s wedding service and he performed my Mother’s memorial service in December 2011. I know Mom would have loved him doing this!
    Diane Vigil
    Arvada Presbyterian Church
    Arvada, CO
    USA
    June, 19 2012

    Thank you for sharing in our joy! We are very proud of our children and their heritage. Both Ben and Valari love the Lord and represent the strong commitment instilled in them by the their grandfathers’ love for God’s Word.
    Also, thank you for sharing this story with K-Love so others might recognize that some of the younger generation still understand the importance of a lifelong commitment to God and spouse.
    Keli Stewart
    Liberty, MO
    Kearney, MO
    USA
    June, 19 2012

    Equally yoked I must say. What a honor!!!
    Tia Dosewell
    Oakwood Church of Christ Houston, Texas
    Webster, Texas
    United States
    June, 13 2012

    That’s kind of neat, and sweet! I hope God will bless you and your marriage always!! LibbyD
    Libby Doom
    Weat Metro Church of Christ, Hiram, GA
    Hiram, GA
    USA
    June, 10 2012

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