Ben Fitzgerald has been on Boone UMC staff either leading worship, managing tech, or working with the Youth Group for more than a decade. He is passionate about shepherding youth through their journey of faith and finding identity in Christ through Biblical teaching, relationship building, and exemplifying Jesus’ ministry. His hope is to create or steward a space where students feel safe and loved, where their faith can grow and flourish, and where they belong as adopted children of Jesus.

Ben received a bachelor’s degree in religion at Appalachian State University and minored in the Biblical Hebrew language. He likes long walks in the woods, pranks, “dad jokes,” sci-fi and fantasy stories, and most of all loves his wife and two kids.

“I am so excited to get back into Youth Ministry,” said Ben. “After having been the Youth Director at this church a few years ago, then stepping away to make myself valuable to the church and my family during COVID, I have sorely missed the goofy fun, the serious conversations, the formation of relationships, and being witness to the transformation of the hearts of youth by God. I’ve prayed over this group for years and doubled down on my prayer when Danae stepped down and the church began the search process.”

Ben continued, “When the Confirmands were baptized in the creek behind the church, I returned to that spot later in the season and prayed boldly for God to just let the Spirit loose on this Youth Group! I grabbed a few rocks and brought them back to my house to continually be reminded to pray for the Holy Spirit to blow through them. I believe this is going to be an epic season, and I can’t wait to get started!”