Learning and Leading
Ben skis as many days as he can—sometimes even squeezing in a few early-morning runs before heading into the lab. When there’s no snow? “Trail running,” he says with a smile, “which is just skiing without snow!”
When he’s not out on the trail or slopes, Ben is working toward a PhD in chemical engineering. He’s also deeply involved in his faith community. Ben is a regular at Bread+Belonging (B+B) events, an active member of a local congregation, and currently serves as president of the Lutheran Campus Ministry board.
Ben first learned about B+B through members of his Boulder congregation. Initially drawn in by the offer of free food, he quickly found something more meaningful—a welcoming, authentic community. “It was very much come-as-you-are,” Ben recalls. “There was nobody really putting on any facades.”
That experience of genuine connection inspired him to explore deeper spiritual involvement. He participated in programs like the annual Student Preaching Lab, where he wrote and shared a sermon in a local congregation. Ben found he enjoyed preaching and has continued to do so a few times each year. The experience has helped him grow in public speaking and sharing his faith. “[Being part of Lutheran campus ministry] helped me become more comfortable in expressing my faith,” Ben says, “and being open to people about, ‘Yes, I am a Christian. This is what we believe.’ It’s about sharing God’s love for people. It’s about trying to be the good of God in the community.”
Bread+Belonging has also been a rich learning experience for Ben. As president of the board of directors, he’s guiding the organization through a time of transition and into a new season of ministry. He’s grateful for the opportunity to grow as a leader—learning to run board meetings, manage funds, and oversee endowments. “It’s a skill set that will carry over into my professional life,” he explains. “Every lab is a small business, and this has been a cool and fun way to learn about that while also getting to serve an organization that I really care about.”
