SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY
I’ll be leaving this Sunday, October 4th, on my 13th major, college ministry-exploring Road Trip!
The springboard for this trip is actually pretty exciting: A major national college ministry has contracted me to spend time with several of its chapters around the U.S.! I’ll be writing articles highlighting those local ministries’ work and impact, as a way to help the national group tell its story to supporters, potential supporters, and fans.
The national office planned to fly me to the various spots. And normal people would jump right on that.
But I’m not normal people. So just as I did prior to Road Trip #11 this summer, I pondered the situation, prayed plenty, and decided to make an already-cool situation EVEN BIGGER. So instead of simply dropping in (via aeroplane) on a handful of campuses, I’m packing up the Pathfinder to make my way around the country.
And “around the country” is particularly fitting this time, because I’ll be making my way in a big circle throughout the U.S., sorta bouncing along the edges of our nation. Though the itinerary is somewhat still in flux, the basic itinerary look something like this:
- Dallas to
- Southern California (via Phoenix) to
- Northern California to
- North Dakota / Minnesota to
- the Midwest to
- Pennsylvania / New York / New Jersey to
- Virginia to
- Home, presumably
(I already have one BIG question about this itinerary, and that’s whether to explore Northern Cal before SoCal. I know that’s weird and highly ineffecient. I have my reasons and am thinking that through…)
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE
Not only will I be doing the normal “exploring college ministry” thing all along the way, I also get the awesome chance to speak at two different conferences during this trip: the CollegeLeader Conference in Southern California, and the annual collegiate ministries conference of the PC(USA)’s Lakes & Prairies Synod. Each conference is a neat opportunity to share what I’ve learned, elaborate on what I wrote in Reaching the Campus Tribes, and discuss the change that comes when we approach campus ministry as a missions endeavor. I’m honored that they’d ask me to speak, and it will also be fantastic just to spend time with a bunch of college ministers who want to grow even stronger.
NEW SCENE THIR TEEN
I can already tell this trip will have some differences from those I’ve taken in the last year. More on that soon. Meanwhile, there are a variety of ways to keep updated, depending on how “updated” you want to be!
Facebook Group: The “Exploring College Ministry with Benson” Facebook Group is always the best shot at staying informed on the really big stuff. I don’t make a habit of sending lots of messages, but you do get first word (and sometimes the only word) on key updates.
Twitter: Whether you’re on Twitter or just check in at my Twitter page occasionally, this is the best way to catch random insights and experiences from within my trip. I always feel like my Twittering is kinda boring when I’m home – and, by comparison, it is. So now that I’m headed on another adventure, it’s a great time to check it out!
This blog: I will post the occasional update on my various explorations as a post of its own. But during my trips, I also place a mini-update at the bottom of each post, relating things like the “campus tribe” I was representing that day (via my T-shirt choice), how many miles I’ve traveled, immediate plans, and any new states or campuses I got to visit. Look for that in blue.
Maybe more?: Stay tuned. There might be one more way to join the adventure of this trip, and I’m really excited about the possibility!
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Excited for you, Ben. Love the doors that God is opening up for you and for collegiate ministry!
Any chance you might have time to swing through the Pac Northwest on your way to North Dakota?
Thanks a bunch, Brandon! Hopefully it’ll be a great time.
Adam, it’s not looking like I’ll get to make it to the deep Northwest; the times don’t look like they’re gonna work out. But if you wanna come hang out in Northern California, that’s only several hundred miles, right? :)
There will be a day – I love being up there.
Let me know if you have tme for a stop in Michigan :-)
Now THAT is a distinct possibility, Mike. I’ll keep you posted, but Ann Arbor is presently one of my hopes.
You now Benson, whether you go through no-cal or so-cal to get to the midwest, you have to drive right through colorado – you could stop by my campus for a breakfast/lunch/dinner thing… Just an idea. This is a great time to be in Colorado!
Are you sure? It seems like the route is through Cheyenne at the closest – remember, I’m headed for North Dakota!
However, I would love to stop in if that works out. I’ll keep you posted! :)
Let me know when you come to NY Benson. I’d love to connect with you if possible.