Benjamin Schartow met his beautiful and loving wife Amanda in youth group, they got to know each other in Bible school, and have been married since 2001. They have 3 incredible children, Gabriel, Gianna, and Abigail, who all love and serve Jesus. Benjamin grew up in Haslett, MI, serving in the church and various outreach ministries until he and Amanda helped launch Journey Life Church with a small team of people in 2004. Serving faithfully as the Student Director for 14 years before repositioning to being the Family Ministries Discipleship Pastor in 2021, he is endorsed by Assemblies of God with a license to preach. Ben has a passion to equip parents in discipling their kids with purpose, while being connected into the church family through serving and life groups. He will challenge you to reach your full potential by living a life "in this world, but not of this world.”

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Benjamin continues to lead as the Executive Director of Building Twentyone, a non profit teen center he founded to give students the opportunity to create life changing habits while inciting passion and purpose through after school activities and programs. Ben is a die-hard MSU fan, who can also be found DJing, playing percussion, and still has the strange quirk of looking beneath your furniture (an old habit from his days at Art Van no doubt.)

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