Fuller Seminary

Fuller Theological Seminary is a place where dreams are shattered, believers become disillusioned, and faith is dashed to pieces against the cold, jagged rocks of reality. There's also a negative side.

I'm kidding (mostly). I actually LOVE going to Fuller. As I look back, I am realizing that the last 5 years of my life have been leading me directly to where I am right now. I love going here because the scholarship is excellent, the people are real, and you can ask the hard questions here.


And, maybe most importantly, I'm developing some of the most healthy and nurturing relationships of my life here. I think its because I've finally met a group of people of faith who wrestle with the same things I wrestle with. It's a tough burden to bear alone.

So that's all I got. I love Fuller. I think everyone should come here. The end.

Ben

The Oldest Kid in Young Life

OK, so here is another video providing a snapshot into what I do for a living...



Ben

Happy Holidays

OK, so with Christmas right around the corner I keep hearing Christians (Evangelical mostly) complaining about the "secularization of the Christmas season." I told one Christian "Happy Holidays" and they rolled their eyes at me.

Christians get all hot and bothered because of this and complain about their rights, and they point fingers, and they even go as far encouraging other Christians to boycott stores that use the phrase "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."

In light of this I've re-written 1 Corinthians 4:12-13 to reflect the attitude of many evangelicals in America.

When we are cursed, we make our anger known; when we are persecuted, we prosecute; when we are slandered, we demand restitution. Up to this moment we have positioned ourselves to be respected among the earth, the self-righteous of the world.

Happy Holidays.

Ben

New House

OK, so a few weeks ago I moved into a house with 2 other guys. This house is amazing to say the least. The house is less than 6 years old and in a new neighborhood. It's 5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, and the square footage is 3500 ft.

You may be thinking, "How much does Young Life pay Ben out there?" but the rent actually is cheaper than almost anything else I would be able to find. God provided a situation where a landlord who is a Christian had just bought the house after foreclosure and offered to rent it to us cheap because we were in the ministry.

The house is quickly becoming a hub for the ministry of Young Life, which is exactly why I think God blessed us with it. Kids come over to talk, hang out and play Rock Band 2. I couldn't ask for any better!

Keep it real,

Ben

What I Do for a Living

OK, so I made this video with my boss, the area director for Delta Young Life, to help give people an idea of what my new job entails.



Keep it real,

Ben

Bio

OK, so my boss recently asked me for a bio to put in our Young Life newsletter. Here's what I submitted:

Ben Swisher is the Bay Region’s newest and brightest recruit to Young Life Staff. Ben has volunteered with Young Life for a total of 6 years and has led 247 students to the Lord. Ben currently holds the record for highest conversion rate among high school students out of any volunteer leader in the Central Illinois Region, and is looking forward to breaking that record here in the San Francisco Bay Region.

While serving in the Delta Area, Ben plans to continue his diligent study of the Bible as well as the Left Behind Series. He will be working closely with Part-Time Area Director Jen Moody, mentoring her and providing emotional support. He will also babysit her children when necessary.

Ben is currently living with Jim and Glinda Goodwin.

Hobbies: prayer, meditation, intercession, and worship.
Favorite Memory: baptizing 37 high school students at the same time.
Favorite Scripture: all of them.
Favorite TV station: TBN
Favorite Book: Life on the Edge by Dr. James Dobson

Keep it real,

Ben

Text Dad

OK, so the world must be coming to an end because my father, who still cannot program the VCR, has started texting me on his cellular telephone. I've only received a few texts, but here's what the latest one looked like:  

Hi.ben.just.wanted.to.say.hi.and.tell.you.i.am.praying.for.you......sara.is.twenty-five.this.weekend....yikes...love.you.lots.take.care.....dad

Dad, if you're reading this hit the '#' key for spaces! The.periods.are.annoying.

I love you too dad!

Keep it real,

Ben

Life Changes

OK, so I apologize for going a month without blogging. It's been busy to say the least. In the last month I've:

-Graduated from college

-Moved out of my apartment

-Moved into my parents' house

-Accepted a YL job in the San Francisco Bay region

-Moved to the San Francisco Bay

To be accurate, I'm technically still in the process of moving to the SF Bay. I'm currently at my uncle's house in Colorado. We spent the day here and will make the last 18 hours of the trip over the next 2 days.

It's been a really crazy, interesting time for me, but overall it's been good. I'll keep my blog much more updated (and go into more detail about the events of the last month) once I get settled in California. Check back often. I'm going to try to start updating my blog at least twice a week.

Keep it real,

Ben