Ben Buening comes from the state of Ohio. His life was radically transformed after attending a Life in the Spirit Seminar. It was at this retreat Ben wanted to radically serve Jesus. After his first foreign mission trip to Guatemala in high school, he began to develop a foreign missionary calling. However, it would be a long few years before Ben said, “yes.” After graduating from St. Henry High School, he went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Wright State University Lake Campus with a major in middle childhood education. During this time, Ben returned two other times to Guatemala and went on missions to Haiti, India, and Jamaica.  After graduation, there was no peace in his heart to pursue a teaching career. The Lord led Ben to become a full-time youth and young adult minister. He loved it, but life as a foreign missionary was still on his heart. Ben’s heart, however, was not ready. There were parts that he needed Jesus to transform before he could travel many miles away to share Him with others. Jesus did exactly that, and it was like he fell in love with Jesus all over again. He planned on doing a second year in youth ministry, but the Lord whispered in his heart that the time was now. Ben had no choice but to accept His invitation. After many days of discernment, Ben jumped out of the boat and joined Family Missions Company as a full-time lay Catholic missionary disciple.