Born September 5, 1961 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

Raised in Hamlet, NC

Baptized & Confirmed in Fellowship UMC, Hamlet, NC

Accepted Christ as Lord and Savior during a "Lay Witness Mission" at Fellowship UMC when 16 years of age.

BA degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1985

MDiv degree, Magna cum laude, Duke Divinity School, Duke University, 1991

Ordained Deacon 1990

Ordained Elder 1993

Student Pastor of Phillips Chapel UMC, Graham, NC, 1987-91

Pastor of Atlantic UMC, Atlantic NC, 1991-95

Short Term Missionary in Armenia, April-May 1995

Founding Pastor of Cornerstone UMC, Fayetteville NC, 1995

Pastor of Cornerstone United Methodist Church,  Fayetteville NC, October 1995-May 2004

Missionary in Durham, NC June 2004-Present

Ben and Lisa have 3 lovely daughters: Rebekah, Katie and Elizabeth.