Growing up in the City of East Los Angeles there was not much encouragement towards education and personal development. Being the youngest child born to parents that were Mexican Immigrants, he was taught the value of hard work and integrity, but at the age of 17, Ben dropped out of school and got involved in a life of drugs and alcohol. Once he came to his senses and realized that he was going nowhere, he surrendered his life to God. During his experience at the church, he was challenged to attend the ministries Bible school and to attain his High School Diploma. After receiving his Associates in Religion, he continued towards his Bachelors of Religion. Ben continued to pursue education and received his Master's of Divinity from Azusa Pacific University and also received a Master's in Social Work from the University of Southern California. He just completed his Doctorate in Ministry from Azusa Pacific University in May 2019.

 

Throughout Ben's personal educational journey his heart was filled to equip other's to have the desire to seek education. He has a burden for inner city youth that are facing many challenges and many times have no desire for education. He has been serving in his community working with teenagers from all lifestyles to create a hope that it is possible to attain something bigger than themselves and their surroundings. Ben also works with local schools and parents towards providing resources for students to continue to advance throughout each grade and achieve excellence in their personal lives.

 

Ben is currently serving as Senior Pastor of Victory Outreach El Sereno and has been married to Laura for 23-years. They adopted a 5-week old son that sadly passed away from brain cancer at 5-months old.