Ben Jero on Worship, Songwriting, and Learning to Be Present

Ben Jero never expected to become a Christian artist.

Growing up in a sports centered family, Ben played baseball from the time he could walk through the end of high school. He loved listening to music, but performing was nowhere in his plans.

His childhood dream was to become an architect and eventually design attractions for Disney as an Imagineer.

During high school, Ben taught himself a few songs on acoustic guitar by watching videos online. He only played alone in his room and was so uncomfortable performing that he would not even play in front of his parents.

Everything began to change during his freshman year at California Baptist University. A group of friends convinced him to sing in front of a small gathering of people.

Ben jokes that he was peer pressured into music, but that ordinary moment became the beginning of something much larger.

Discovering a Love for Worship and Songwriting

As Ben continued singing and growing in worship ministry, he began discovering a love for songwriting.

His first songs were not perfect, and he is quick to admit that they were not as good as he believed at the time. Still, those early songs gave him a place to begin.

Ben started recognizing that original music allowed him to share his faith and personal experiences in a way that performing someone else’s songs could not.

Music became a way to tell the story of what God had done in his life and connect with people on a deeper level.

A Turning Point on Tour

A major turning point came in 2023, when Ben and a group of students from California Baptist University were invited to sing in a choir during Phil Wickham’s Christmas tour.

The tour included concerts in Sacramento, Las Vegas, Anaheim, and San Diego. Ben and the choir joined the stage during the final songs each night.

For the first time, Ben experienced what it was like to perform alongside a band in front of large audiences.

That experience changed his perspective.

He began imagining what it could look like to write original songs, perform them with a band, and use music to encourage people in their faith.

Ben never expected music to become such an important part of his life, but his heart gradually changed. He fell in love with both music and ministry.

Learning to Be Present in Ministry

Today, Ben serves in worship leadership at Sandals Church in Southern California.

When he began working there in April 2024, he privately gave himself a two year timeline. His plan was to gain experience and then begin searching for his next opportunity.

Ben grew up near Bend, Oregon, and has always considered himself a mountain person. He imagined eventually returning home, connecting with another church, or pursuing new opportunities in Nashville or Texas.

When the two year mark arrived, Ben began seriously considering what might come next.

During that process, however, he felt God challenging him.

Ben realized that he had become so focused on the future that he was no longer fully investing in the ministry God had already placed in front of him.

He had volunteers to lead, a congregation to serve, and people who trusted him to help shepherd them.

Ben did not believe God was asking him to stop writing or pursuing music. Instead, he felt God teaching him to slow down and become more intentional with his current season.

That realization brought him peace.

The Value of the Local Church

Ben still dreams about recording music, traveling, and possibly making music his full time career.

But he no longer sees the local church as a temporary assignment or a backup plan.

While leading worship one Sunday, Ben looked across the room and realized that he knew the people in the congregation.

He knew many of their stories, struggles, and the circumstances they carried into church each week.

That kind of relationship is something an artist traveling from city to city may not always experience.

Ben began to understand that success is not measured only by streaming numbers, record deals, larger audiences, or new opportunities.

Sometimes faithfulness looks like serving the same people every week.

It looks like knowing the congregation, leading with excellence, and helping people turn their attention toward Jesus.

Faithfulness in the Present Season

Ben Jero is still writing, recording, and pursuing the doors God places before him.

But he is learning not to overlook the ministry already happening around him.

The young man who once refused to play guitar in front of his parents is now creating music that tells the story of God’s work in his life.

Ben’s future is still being written.

For now, he is learning that the present season is not simply preparation for his calling.

It is part of the calling itself.

About Ben Jero

Ben Jero is a Christian artist, songwriter, and worship leader with a heart for helping people encounter Jesus through music. Originally from Bend, Oregon, Ben now serves in worship leadership at Sandals Church in Southern California.

Although music was not part of his original plan, Ben began singing during his freshman year at California Baptist University and soon discovered a growing passion for worship and songwriting. His journey has since included performing as part of a choir on Phil Wickham’s Christmas tour and developing original music rooted in his faith and personal experiences.

Ben’s ministry is deeply connected to the local church. Whether he is leading worship, writing songs, or recording new music, his goal is to serve faithfully, point people toward Christ, and remain present in the season God has placed before him.

Written by kingdomchorus