“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

                                                                                                  —II Corinthians 5:17

Ben before there was Mindy: I was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, but for almost as long as I can remember I have lived in the Bemidji area.  I was raised in a wonderful Christian home by two loving parents.  I am the youngest of four biological children with one younger brother that is adopted (yes, five boys!). I went to Cass Lake, Laporte, and Bemidji Public Schools, and then on to Bemidji State University where I received a BA in Sports Management. Throughout high school and college I played basketball, and after people first meet me, their opening question is usually, “How tall are you?” So I’ll just tell you now, I’m 6’8”.

Mindy before there was Ben: I was born and raised in Bemidji, Minnesota, and went to school at Lakewood Academy, better known as….home! Family togetherness, music, and the teaching of God’s Word was the heartbeat of my parent’s vision for our family. My father is a carpenter and my mother is a “domestic engineer.” I am the youngest of four children. My sister Melissa is married and has eight children; my brother Matthew is married and has two children; and my sister Melanie is single, a music teacher and my very best friend. I travel with our family music ministry, teach music at the Headwaters School of Music in Bemidji, and maintain my home-based business Vineyard Design Works.