Ben Wikner

Ben and Erin Wikner first met Joshua Harris and were introduced to Sovereign Grace Ministries at the 2007 New Attitude conference (now called NEXT) held that year in Louisville, Ky. The dialogue at NEXT led to further correspondence and Ben’s acceptance of an invitation to begin serving as a pastoral intern at Covenant Life Church in January 2008. Later that year he attended the Sovereign Grace Pastors College, graduating in June 2009.

Ben was born in Korea, adopted, and raised in a Christian home in Iowa. God revealed himself to Ben at age 19 in such a way that he saw the Lord’s holiness and truth as undeniable. Ben realized that only in the gospel was he truly accepted and beloved. “Since then,” says Ben, “there’s been continued growth in learning how great the Father’s love is toward me as his adopted son.”

Ben holds a bachelor’s degree from Covenant College, and a Master of Divinity from Westminster Seminary. It was at Covenant College where he met Erin and first sensed a call to pastoral ministry.

Ben was ordained in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church as a church planter in February of 2000. He served in Temecula, Calif., for six years before taking a call to a Presbyterian church in Ohio. Two years later he moved his family of eight to Maryland.

Ben now serves with the Family Life team of pastors where his responsibilities include pastoral oversight for a number of Care Groups, teaching various classes and serving the pastoral team wherever he can. The aspects of ministry that Ben is most passionate about are faithfully preaching and teaching the Word, equipping believers for service, pastoral care and counsel, and helping widows and orphans.

In Ben and Erin’s view, “This past year God has more deeply shown us our sin and more profoundly applied to us his grace than we would have thought possible or necessary. In the midst of significant transition, we are growing in Christ and being equipped for greater fruitfulness in ministry. We are thrilled to be here at Covenant Life, and so thankful God has allowed us to serve in this church. It has already been a joy, and we look forward to many years of ministry here to come.”

The Wikners have six children ranging from 22 months to 13 years old and live in the Gaithersburg area.