Called to Serve: Ben Bolin’s Story of Ministry, Music, and Mission

Ben Bolin ('05) has lived a life deeply rooted in both ministry and music. Growing up in Southern Illinois, he was immersed in church life from an early age, with his father serving as the Minister of Music at their local church. Surrounded by faith, family, and melody, Ben accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior during childhood. By the age of 12, he felt a clear call to ministry—a calling he actively pursued throughout his high school years. During that time, he was even given opportunities to preach, further affirming his passion for sharing the Gospel. From those formative experiences, it was clear that Ben's future would be shaped by a lifelong devotion to ministry and music. 

In his senior year of high school, his family made the decision to move to Texas to be closer to his mother's side of the family. This left Ben with a difficult decision to make: either stay in Illinois or join his family down south in Texas. At first, Ben was adamant about staying in his home state, but ultimately, the Lord led him to move with his family. During this time, Ben began to look at various colleges in Texas, including DBU. This would be the first step in leading him to study at DBU. 

Ben shares, "I visited several schools, but when I came to visit DBU, it became apparent that this was where the Lord wanted me. I remember sitting at a table with the admissions counselor and conversing about where the Lord was leading and what would be best for me. That was different from the other experiences I had." This visit and discussion ultimately led him to attend DBU and pursue his Bachelor of Music with a Teacher Certification. 

As a music major, Ben had many incredible opportunities of ministry and music during his time as an undergraduate. Memorable moments of his include the many musicals and operas that he performed in. He fondly shares, "Our production of The Mikado and Fiddler on the Roof helped to create memories and friends that remain strong to this day. The choir also toured internationally in Italy, Austria, England, and Scotland."

Traveling to all of these incredible places gave Ben the blessing of being able to perform in beautiful spaces. On one of these trips to Austria, Ben shares, "One of my most memorable and embarrassing moments was going blank on my solo for a concert in Salzburg, Austria. I ended up making up the words and melody line. Somehow, Dr. Holcomb and the choir saved me by coming in correctly." Memorable moments such as this filled Ben's years at DBU. He shares that outside of music, Ben found incredible camaraderie from intramural sports and service organizations during his time at DBU. 

For Ben, the faculty and staff truly invested, challenged, and prepared Ben for his future beyond DBU and showed him daily the meaning of Christian service. Ben highlights the music program and the everlasting impacts of faculty and staff. Ben shares, "Within the music school, the desire to honor Christ through excellence in every detail left an unfading mark on my life. Dr. Stephen Holcomb's unrelenting standard was matched with a heart that deeply cared for me as an individual. Dr. Wes Moore challenged me to reach my potential in vocal performance, yet saw a different path and calling for me. Dr. Barbara Wallace instilled in me the importance of details in Music Theory."

Ben shares that the influence goes beyond that of the music faculty within the music program. He also shares, "Dr. Steve Mullen in the Theology Department met with me early on Friday mornings to study Scripture. Dr. Linam championed me long after I had graduated. Dr. Gary Cook gave me opportunities to be successful and helped me solidify the next steps in seminary. I am deeply grateful for the impact and investment of Dallas Baptist University on my life." 

His time at DBU, the connections he made within the community, and the professors who impacted him were all part of the most formative years of his life. Ben had been challenged both spiritually and academically throughout his time as a student. Ben felt that he was individually cared for as a student on University Hill. This kind of care truly shaped him as a student and a person. 

Even now, the influence of his experiences at DBU played a considerable role in his future work in ministry and his life as a whole. He shares, "It gave me a broad set of academic experiences that prepared me for ministry. The focus on servant leadership endued by the faculty and staff continues to play a key role in my life." After DBU, Ben pursued his call in ministry with dedication and a heart for the people. He first served as an Associate Pastor at Lakeside Baptist Church in Canton, TX, before traveling beyond the state of Texas to help plant Calvary Church in Minnesota in partnership with the North American Mission Board, where he served as pastor for seven years. He had been called back to Texas to serve at Travis Avenue Baptist Church in 2021 as the Minister of Mission and Church Planting. Two years later, Ben now serves as the lead teaching pastor at Travis Avenue.

Ben continues to live out his life through the values he gained at DBU by approaching every facet of life with servant leadership. Ben perceptively shares, "Whether it be as a husband, father, pastor, or friend, the focus is on how to lead well through service. Pastoring is about shepherding people." For Ben and his work, being a servant leader is the core of all that he does. "You must see individuals as unique and made in the image of God. But it cannot stop there. You must challenge the community of the church to become what God has called us to be. The care and challenge I received at DBU have remained a model for me." 

Ben attended and graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary, where he earned his Master of Theology in Pastoral Leadership. He also received the H.A. Ironsides Expository Preaching Award as well as the Servant Leadership Award. Currently, Ben is furthering his studies at Southwestern Theological Baptist Seminary in pursuit of his Ph.D. in Preaching with a minor in Worship Studies. 

Ben highlights that his most significant accomplishments were marrying his wife, Julie, and raising their four children, Don, Bennie, Hope, and Lily. He reflects, "Don't get so caught up with your plans that you miss where God is leading. I never would have thought I would be pastoring a church plant in Minnesota or be the father of a special needs son. But each surprise in the journey has brought greater blessings from the Lord. 'In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.'"