BA in Elementary Education, West Coast Baptist College
Training / Certification:
Open-Water Lifeguard Certification with Red Cross (includes CPR, First Aid, and AED)
Basic Archery Instructor Certification with NASP
Wilderness First Aid Certification with NOLS
Experience / Philosophy: Camp Ministry has been a big part of Ben's life since he was a teenager. While in high school, he began to work at a small, Christian camp in the mountains of North Carolina. The mission of this camp eventually defined his own personal purpose in camp ministry. Offering completely free weeks of camp, the camp had the opportunity to minister to children and teens that would not normally have the opportunity to attend summer camp. He had the opportunity to experience, for the first time in his life, the hardships with which some families struggle. He became aware of the relational carnage that was an everyday part of their lives. For many of the children that attended camp, they were mainly recipients of this carnage. However, he did see an active, personal role that older children and teenagers had in the dysfunction of their homes. WildHeart Adventure Camp is a tremendous outreach. He loves taking young men to explore the North Woods of Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan. Our campers have the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities in which they would never or rarely have participated. It is through these new experiences, that we have the opportunity to show them our Creator God who loves them. Using the tools of the outdoors, Ben's mission is to share God’s Word with our campers in a way that is fresh and clear.
Family Life: Ben and Bekah joined the staff of Victory in 2014 during the WildHeart Adventure Camp.
They've had the privilege of being involved in children’s ministries since they were young teenagers. It was while Ben was working at a summer camp for children in NC that the Lord began directing his heart towards young men that need extra guidance in life.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in education from West Coast Baptist College in 2012, Ben taught in a Christian school for two years while staying active in camp ministry during the summer.
The Lord eventually combined his desires for at risk boys and camp ministry by giving him a burden for a boarding home style of program. Shortly thereafter, God opened the door for he and Bekah to move to Victory.
Bekah serves alongside Ben in his role as Program Director for WildHeart, helping prepare the food and other logistics for each adventure trip. She also works a few hours every week as Mark Massey’s secretary. Outside of her ministry at Victory and WildHeart, Bekah teaches in the local public school as a para-professional (teacher’s aid).