Ben was Commonwealth’s Senior Pastor from 2008-2011. Before being installed as the head Pastor in September of 2008, Ben was the Associate Pastor working primarily with youth and children. Ben has a Bachelors in religion and philosophy from Campbell University, a Masters of Divinity from Duke University, and is currently in the final phases of a Doctorate in Ethics from the Catholic University of America. In addition to his role as pastor Ben is also an adjunct professor of Christian Ethics and Political Theology at John Leland Seminary in Falls Church, VA, and a board member of the Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry.

Ben and his wife Toni live in the Lynnhaven area of Alexandria with Toni’s 13 year old sister Katelyn, their two Daschunds, and their brand new adopted baby girl Lucy Joy. For recreation Ben enjoys basketball, surfing, and indie rock music. In August, Ben assumed his new role as Senior Pastor of Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in North Carolina.  We will miss him greatly and wish him and his family all the best.