PREACHER FEATURE

BEN'S STORY BY ANNA MILLS COX

Dr. Ben Sloan may serve on the Eastminster staff working in Congregational Care and in Missions, Service & Benevolence (MSB), but he is more than just a staff member. Ben is a child of Eastminster and has deep roots in the church. In fact, Ben calls Eastminster his heart-home for his faith.

Growing up at Eastminster (1957-1985), from birth until ordination, Ben and his family were very involved in the church. Ben’s father, Earle, was deacon chair, an elder, and taught a girls’ Sunday school class. Ben’s mother, Sarah, was administrative assistant to Paul Eckel and an Honorary Life Member. Together, his parents started a senior's group, Primetimers (Ben with parents to right). At two-years-old, Ben was one of the first classes at the Day School; he was the first student suspended for hitting another student, but he says he has “since repented of such actions!” As a youth, Ben participated in the youth choir, where Paula Speight and Marilyn Stradtman taught him how to sing, and he played on the church basketball team under Coach Whiteside, where he “held the record for fouling out!” In 1969, Ben went through Confirmation, a meaningful time in his life; Buddy Adams was his mentor, and many elders taught him and prayed for him.

Ben says, “Every now and then someone asks about my call to ministry. A big part was having parents who made me go to church, mentors and officers who stepped up to help me along the way, and admirable, intelligent, and godly pastors who set good examples for Christian life. My brother, Mark, and his pregnant wife were in a terrible accident on December 24, 1976, at the corner of Beltline and Trenholm; I saw the meaningful support from former Eastminster Pastor Ernest Thompson who visited Christmas Day, and all the visits, calls, and food brought over from members of the church that just buoyed us up. I saw how very important the love and support of the church was. That was the turning point of deciding between pursuing a career as a minister versus a psychologist.”

Ben graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Psychology, from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, and from Columbia

Theological Seminary with his Doctorate in Ministry. Ben served churches in South and North Carolina: Morton Presbyterian in Hartsville, West Asheville Presbyterian, Georgetown Presbyterian, and senior pastor at Lake Murray Presbyterian in Chapin, where he retired.

Ben met his wife and companion in ministry, Kay, at Clemson. They have three married adult children: Sarah (Ryan) Batson who has 3 children (Etta, Josie, Archer) in Grewenville; Rebekah (Jay) Gilliam who has two children (Sloan, Eliza) in Chapin, and John (Kelly) in Columbia.

Now, Ben serves at Eastminster in Congregational Care and MSB. He visits members in the hospital two to three days a week, and plans adult mission trips. Ben says, “When I look at the ministry of Jesus, I see him preaching and teaching, but I also see him caring for the sick, the needy, and freeing the oppressed and imprisoned. Ministry is an honor, and I have been so grateful for the gracious welcome my wife, Kay, and I have received at Eastminster. I am passionate about these ministries. I have been taught that the work of ministry has eternal consequences, and it is my hope to give my all to the people of Eastminster for the glory of God.”

SPRING/SUMMER MISSION TRIPS:

APRIL 24-29: FORT MYERS, FL

JUNE 17-24: CHIAPAS, MEXICO

NOV 6-11: MARSH HARBOR, BAHAMAS