Ben Mathew (from April 2003)     (some of this info is outdated!)

Ben Mathew describes himself as a “truth presenter”.  “I can’t change anybody, only the Holy Spirit can do that. What I do is present the truth from the Word of God, and give people some tools to help them apply those truths to their lives.”  That is how he sees his role as chaplain here at Emmaus which he says is a work in progress. He has a variety of responsibilities including counseling students one on one;  planning and organizing the daily chapels; helping out in recruiting efforts for Enrollment Management Services; substitute teaching in counseling classes, to name a few.

Ben is uniquely suited to his role as Director of Counseling Services, and to develop it into an integral part of the Emmaus experience. An import from Canada, Ben was raised in a godly home in Hamilton, Ontario, where he placed his faith in Christ at the age of 14. He credits his parents as having a profound influence on his life. He especially treasures the travels that he and his family took to a number of countries around the world during his formative years. Those experiences gave him an appreciation for different cultures and an ability to relate to a broad spectrum of people.

Ben attended Emmaus and was an outstanding student leader during his time here. Upon his graduation in 1998, he attended Dallas Theological Seminary where he earned his MA in Biblical Counseling. During his time at Dallas he served as an intern at the Minrith Clinic and at LifeWorks Counseling Center. Following graduation, he served as a staff therapist with the Minrith Clinic before joining the Emmaus family.

From playing floor hockey in the Emmaus intramural program to playing Trivial Pursuit, Ben has a variety of interests that go beyond his chosen profession. A less-known fact about him is that he can play the piano by ear and enjoys playing contemporary Christian music. He still loves to travel, and on June 15^, 2003, he will gain a permanent travelling companion when he marries Emmaus alumnus Jenna Van Dine (2001).