For those in local church ministry, it is often a pressing matter to find the time to take care of their own souls. More often than not, pastors tend to prioritize sermon preparation and delivery as their primary tasks, when actually their first task should be their own spiritual health. It is for this purpose that this book is written--to encourage pastors to soul care before sermon preparation. If pastors will prepare their own hearts, the sermon will fall in line and permeate the hearts of the listeners.

Growing up in a pastor's home, Ben has seen how ministry plays out in life since his birth. Ben was constantly encouraged and challenged in his faith by his parents and other influential people in his life. It wasn't until college, though, that he would surrender the call to full-time, vocational ministry. Since then, Ben has found pure joy in serving Jesus Christ through the local church.

While on a mission trip in 2008, Ben met the woman that would change his life forever, Kaylee Ray. Not too long after this trip, Kaylee and Ben were married in July 2013. Since then, they have served in three churches in two states. In addition to being married in 2013, Ben and Kaylee now have two sons, Beckett and Haddon.

Ben graduated from Welch College with a Bachelor of Science in Theological Studies in December 2017, and is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He serves as the Pastor at Arbor Grove Free Will Baptist Church in Hoxie, AR and has been there since September 2018.

When Ben is not in the office, his hobbies include playing golf, writing, and spending time with Kaylee, Beckett, and Haddon.