Profiles

Benjamin Conner, Ph.D., is Professor of Practical Theology and directs the Center for Disability and Ministry at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. The Center exists to support ministry leaders of all abilities in nurturing and receiving the gifts and contributions of persons with disabilities through formational opportunities including theological education, consultation, forums, and publications.  For nearly two decades Ben served with Young Life, including working with Capernaum, Young Life’s work with youth with disabilities, and serving on the Capernaum mission-wide committee.  His writings include Amplifying Our Witness: Giving Voice to Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities (Eerdmans, 2012) and Disabling Mission, Enabling Witness: Exploring Missiology through the Lens of Disability Studies (IVP Academic, 2018), among others.  He is also an occasional horse-leader, side-walker, stall-mucker, and general support for his wife, Melissa, who runs Renew Therapeutic Riding Center.