The Benham Brothers

Last updated
The Benham Brothers
Benham Brothers.JPG
Born1975
Occupation(s)Former baseball players, former television hosts, authors, motivational speakers
Known forReal Estate
Notable workAuthors of Whatever the Cost, Living Among Lions and Miracle in Shreveport
Television HGTV
Parent Philip "Flip" Benham
Website benhambrothers.com

David Benham and Jason Benham are American identical twin brothers who are authors, speakers, real estate entrepreneurs, former Minor League Baseball players, and filmmakers known for their conservative Christian views.

Contents

Education and baseball careers

David and Jason Benham both graduated from Liberty University. [1]

David Benham was drafted by the Boston Red Sox and played in both the Red Sox farm system and the St. Louis Cardinals farm system. [2] Jason Benham was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles and later moved to the St. Louis Cardinals farm system. [3]

Real estate, business, and media careers

After finishing college, the Benham Brothers began working in real estate in Charlotte, North Carolina. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

The brothers had little success until a bank contacted them to work on a foreclosed home; [9] their work on this project led to more jobs. [10] In 2003, the brothers co-founded BENHAM Real Estate Group, which focuses on bank listings and preparing foreclosed homes for resale. [11] They also operate Redwood Realty Group focused on residential homes in the greater Charlotte, North Carolina area. [12]

The brother established a business-focused podcast in 2020 [13] and promoted a venture called "Expert Ownership" which they promoted in an appearance on American Family Radio. [14]

Missioneering

The brothers are practicing Christians. [15] [16] In 2010, the brothers devised an alternative, for-profit model for Christian mission work they termed "missioneering". [17] [18] [19]

In 2014, the brothers' "missioneering" projects, specifically virtual assistant and business services, supported missionary work in the Philippines by hiring and training 300 employees to offer. The brothers also opened CrossFit gyms in North Carolina. [20]

Flip it Forward: HGTV

In April 2014, HGTV announced it was planning to premier a home improvement reality television show featuring the brothers called Flip It Forward, to debut in fall 2014. [21] [22]

The following month, People for the American Way's Right Wing Watch published a report that criticized David Benham as an anti-gay, anti-abortion "extremist." [23] [24] The group criticized statements by David Benham at a protest outside of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina in which Benham told conservative talk radio host Janet Mefferd that "homosexuality and its agenda" was "attacking the nation" and that "demonic ideologies" were infiltrating "our universities and our public school systems." [23] The report also cited David Benham's work in support of North Carolina Amendment 1, a 2012 referendum to place a ban on same-sex marriage and civil unions in the North Carolina constitution; his comparison of same-sex marriage with Nazi Germany; his leadership of prayer walks and gatherings outside abortion clinics; and his anti-Muslim activism. [23] [25] The day after the report was published, HGTV canceled the brothers' series over their controversial remarks. [24] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30]

Despite the cancellation of the program, HGTV provided the funding for the brothers to finish their work on the six Charlotte-area homes connected to the cancelled show. [31] [32]

Filmography

The Benhams are credited in a number of Christian films. Jason Benham was credited in The Reliant (2019), Life Changes Everything: Discover Zac Ryan (2017), and War Room (2015). [33] David Benham was credited in the same three films plus Courageous (2011). [34]

David Benham is the president of Cities4Life, a pro-life activist group. In April 2020, Benham was one of eight people who were arrested by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department after refusing to leave a protest outside an abortion clinic after being cited for violating COVID-19 restrictions on mass gatherings. Benham denied that he had violated the restriction, contending that there were not 50 people "gathered" outside of the clinic. [35] The charges against Benham were dropped. [36] Benham, Cities4Life, Global Impact Ministries, represented by the conservative Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, subsequently sued the city, alleging a violation of First Amendment rights. [37]

Personal lives

David and his wife, Lori, have five children; Jason and his wife, Tori, have four children; both families reside in Charlotte, North Carolina. [38]

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kannapolis, North Carolina</span> City in North Carolina, United States

Kannapolis is a city in Cabarrus and Rowan counties, in the U.S. state of North Carolina, northwest of Concord and northeast of Charlotte and is a suburb in the Charlotte metropolitan area. The city of Kannapolis was incorporated in 1984. The population was 53,114 at the 2020 census, which makes Kannapolis the 19th-most populous city in North Carolina. It is the home of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, the Low-A baseball affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, and it is the hometown of the Earnhardt racing family. It is also the headquarters for the Haas F1 racing team. The center of the city is home to the North Carolina Research Campus, a public-private venture that focuses on food, nutrition, and biotech research.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Concord, North Carolina</span> City in North Carolina, United States

Concord is the county seat and most populous city in Cabarrus County, in the U.S. state of North Carolina. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 105,240. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second-most populous city in the Charlotte metropolitan area and is the 10th-most populous city in North Carolina and 287th-most populous city in the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Rudolph</span> American domestic terrorist (born 1966)

Eric Robert Rudolph, also known as the Olympic Park Bomber, is an American domestic terrorist convicted for a series of bombings across the Southern United States between 1996 and 1998, which killed two people and injured over 100 others, including the Centennial Olympic Park bombing at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. His stated motive was an opposition to "the ideals of global socialism" and to "abortion on demand", both of which he claimed were condoned by the United States government. For five years, Rudolph was listed as one of the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives until he was caught in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People for the American Way</span> American progressive advocacy group

People For the American Way, or PFAW, is a progressive advocacy group in the United States. Organized as a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, PFAW was registered in 1981 by the television producer Norman Lear, a self-described liberal who founded the organization in 1980 to challenge the Christian right agenda of the Moral Majority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Save America</span> Fundamentalist Christian protest group

Operation Save America is a fundamentalist Christian conservative organization based in Concord, North Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte, that opposes human induced abortion and its legality, Islam, and homosexuality. In 1994, Flip Benham became the director of the organization, then called Operation Rescue National. Benham replaced Keith Tucci, who had replaced Randall Terry. Terry, Tucci and Benham have all been convicted of crimes related to their protest activities. Rusty Thomas became the national director after Flip Benham stepped down.

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), formerly the Alliance Defense Fund, is an American conservative Christian legal advocacy group that works to expand Christian religious liberties and practices within public schools and in government, outlaw abortion, and oppose LGBTQ rights. ADF is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, with branch offices in several locations including Washington, D.C., and New York. Its international subsidiary, Alliance Defending Freedom International, with headquarters in Vienna, Austria, operates in over 100 countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flip Benham</span> American activist (born 1948)

Philip "Flip" Benham is an Evangelical Christian minister and the national leader of Concord, North Carolina–based Operation Save America, an anti-abortion group that evolved from Operation Rescue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott McGillivray</span> Contractor, entrepreneur, investor and television host

Scott McGillivray is a Canadian entrepreneur, investor, television host, author and educator.

<i>Love It or List It</i> Canadian-American television series

Love It or List It is a home design TV show starring Hilary Farr and David Visentin broadcast since 2008 on HGTV, W Network, and OWN Canada. It is the original show in the Love it or List It franchise.

<i>Property Brothers</i> Canadian reality television series

Property Brothers is a Canadian reality television series now produced by Scott Brothers Entertainment, and is the original show in the Property Brothers franchise. The series features twin brothers Drew Scott and Jonathan Scott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HGTV</span> American pay television

HGTV is an American pay television channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The network primarily broadcasts reality programming related to home improvement and real estate.

Scoring the Deal is an American reality series that airs on HGTV and HGTV Canada. The show follows Jason Abrams and Kristen Cook of the Abrams Team through Pro-Athlete real estate. It aired from January 8, 2013, with two seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Rapert</span> American politician

Stanley Jason Rapert is an American politician from the state of Arkansas, who served as a member of the Arkansas State Senate from 2011 to 2023 and represented the 35th district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Scott</span> Canadian television personality

Andrew Alfred Scott is a Canadian reality television personality, best known as the co-host of the TV series Property Brothers.

<i>Property Brothers</i> (franchise) Canadian television franchise

The Property Brothers franchise is a Canadian media franchise that stars Canadian twins Jonathan and Drew Scott and centers around the selling, purchasing, and renovation of real estate property. The shows also often guest star their older brother J.D. Their first program is Property Brothers—initially produced by Cineflix Media—and has aired on the W Network and HGTV Canada in its country of origin, on HGTV in the US, and on other networks in over 150 countries. The success of this show led to spin-off series, several web series, a how-to book, a radio show, and an app. Strategy magazine named the Property Brothers its 2013 Brand of the Year.

<i>Good Bones</i> (TV series) American TV series or program

Good Bones is an American reality television series airing on HGTV starring Karen E. Laine and Mina Starsiak Hawk, based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The show's pilot aired on March 22, 2016. The final episode aired on October 17, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Robinson (American politician)</span> American politician (born 1968)

Mark Keith Robinson is an American politician serving as the 35th lieutenant governor of North Carolina since 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he is the nominee for governor in the 2024 North Carolina gubernatorial election. He is North Carolina's first Black lieutenant governor and first Black major party nominee for governor.

PJ and Thomas is the media franchise of Timothy Paul Jasper "PJ" McKay and Thomas McKay, an American couple who are Internet celebrities, YouTubers, television personalities, remodelers, and interior designers, best known for their YouTube channel as well as their renovation and interior design TV show Down to the Studs on HGTV.

References

  1. Ann Oldenburg (May 7, 2014). "Benham brothers: 'If faith cost us TV show, so be it'". USA Today . Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  2. Versteeg, Jonathan (August 2, 2001). "Former Twisters standout Benham still chasing his dream". The Register Citizen. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  3. "Jason Benham Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  4. "Pro Baseball Players Hit a Double Home Run in Real Estate" (PDF). Cabarrus Business Magazine. June 2008.
  5. "Business Round Up". Salisbury Post . June 30, 2012. Archived from the original on February 17, 2017.
  6. "'America's best real estate agents' ranked by Real Trends". DNS News.
  7. "'America's best real estate agents' ranked by Real Trends". Real Trends.
  8. "RealTrends 2015" (PDF). June 30, 2015.
  9. "Twin Brothers Boost Business through 'Missioneering'". CBN News . September 23, 2012. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012.
  10. "Misfortune breeds opportunity". Charlotte Business Journal . July 28, 2008.
  11. "Whatever the Cost: Facing Your Fears, Dying to Your Dreams, and Living Powerfully". February 17, 2015.
  12. "Redwood Realty Group" . Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  13. "Expert Ownership Podcast". Apple Podcasts . Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  14. "Coronavirus v. Stock Market, Benham Brothers Latest Project". American Family Radio . March 9, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  15. Law, Jeannie (March 8, 2017). "Benham Brothers: It's the First Time in American History Being a Christian Will Cost Something". Christian Post . Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  16. Whitaker, Mark (September 1, 2016). "The Benham Brothers: Double Measure of Faith". TwoTen Magazine. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  17. "The Benham Bros Discuss 'Missioneering'" (PDF). Solutions Magazine. September 2014.
  18. Jessup, John (September 21, 2012). "Twin Brothers Boost Business Through Missioneering". Charisma News. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  19. O'Neil, Katie (December 5, 2013). "How Missioneering Is Revolutionizing Overseas Missions". Institute for Faith, Work & Economics. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  20. "CrossFit After Professional Baseball" (Interview). December 29, 2011.
  21. "HGTV Adds Nine New Series to 2014 Schedule". HGTV . April 18, 2014. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014.
  22. "Scripps Upfront: 31 new shows for HGTV and DIY in 2014". Media Life Magazine. April 2, 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  23. 1 2 3 Brian Tashman (May 6, 2014). "HGTV Picks Anti-Gay, Anti-Choice Extremist For New Reality TV Show". Right Wing Watch .
  24. 1 2 Lauren Effron; Eric Johnson; Ashley Louszko (May 10, 2014). "Benham Brothers Say HGTV Knew About Controversial Comments Over a Year Ago". ABC News .
  25. "Benham Brothers Dumped by HGTV Over Anti-Gay Remarks, Could Land at Traditional Values Network INSP TV". The Hollywood Reporter . May 5, 2014.
  26. "Did HGTV Cancel House Flippers' Show Over Controversial Comments?". ABC News . May 9, 2014.
  27. "Benham Brothers Respond After HGTV Cancellation". South Florida Gay News . May 21, 2014.
  28. "Should the Benham Brothers Have Lost Their Show over Their Remarks?". CNN . May 9, 2014.
  29. "HGTV Drops Benham Brothers' 'Flip It Forward'". Huffington Post . May 7, 2014.
  30. "Erin Burnett spoke exclusively to Benham Brothers over Flip It Forward". CNN . May 8, 2014. Archived from the original on October 21, 2014.
  31. "Benham brothers wrap up work on homes once slated for HGTV show". Charlotte Business Journal . July 10, 2014.
  32. "The Benham Brothers: Keeping the Faith". Cabarrus Business Magazine. May 21, 2014.
  33. "Jason Benham Filmography". IMDb . Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  34. "David Benham Filmography". IMDb . Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  35. "Abortion protesters sue city of Charlotte over COVID-19 social distancing arrests". WBTV . April 18, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  36. "David Benham, pro-life activists move ahead in legal battle over 'unlawful' arrests". Christian Post. August 24, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  37. "Pro-Lifers Sue City of Charlotte for Violating First Amendment Rights". Decision Magazine. August 25, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  38. David Benham; Jason Benham (March 17, 2018). Miracle in Shreveport: A Memoir of Baseball, Fatherhood, and the Stadium that Launched a Dream.