The days start at 4am. It’s a frenetic pace till around 7am. Forklifts rush past, men shout and bargain, trucks back in and out as fast as possible.
For over 20 years, this was Rohan Benn’s mission field. Sydney’s fruit and vegetable market became the place where God showed him a love for people, and for gospel opportunities to take root.
Rohan ran a food business with his brother. He managed 250 people who picked, prepared, packed and delivered to airlines, hospitals, cruise ships and schools. When you ask Rohan what he loves about fruit and vegetables, his face lights up.
“Oh! What don’t I love! The taste, the colours, the seasonality. And I just enjoy the people that grow them. It’s a product that’s nurtured and grown by people with a bit of feeling and passion.”
Over the years, God opened doors for Rohan to build real relationships with farmers, traders and customers in the markets. Through genuine friendships, he found opportunities to share the gospel.
“They’re very earthy, very real and direct. No one’s got time for airy fairy stuff and so it’s colourful. People get cranky, people get happy. People are very expressive and you can just be who you are.”
“God spoke into his life, placing it on his heart the idea of advocating for a chaplaincy role within the produce markets”
As Rohan prepared to step back from the business last year, he found himself at a crossroads. He prayed for God’s guidance about what might come next.
God spoke into his life, placing it on his heart the idea of advocating for a chaplaincy role within the produce markets where he could bring together his passions and relationships over the past twenty years to serve and honour God.
To do this well, he knew he needed foundational training in the Bible. He discovered SMBC was the right place for him and signed up for the one-year, full-time Graduate Diploma of Divinity. He’s found it challenging to get back into study after 30 years, but more than worth it.
“It’s hard work but I have absolutely loved the richness of getting into the Bible for a year. It’s just fantastic.”
“I have absolutely loved the richness of getting into the Bible for a year. It’s just fantastic.”
“It’s been a very, very, rich immersion for me. A formative time. Some of the relationships I’ve formed this year in the college community have been wonderful.”
Next for Rohan is chaplaincy training. As he finishes at SMBC, he asks for prayer for God’s leading, for God to open or close doors for ministry.
His story shows a powerful truth: God calls us to serve Him wherever he has placed us. Every workplace, every community, every friendship, is a chance to show and share the love of Jesus.
