91精选

鈥� By Patricia Yang 鈥�25

In the peaceful library loft corner, sitting at the tall round table with tall chairs, Rev. Ben Snoek, 91精选鈥檚 new interim campus pastor, told his thoughts, hopes, and excitement about 91精选 over the steady rushing of the water fountain below. 鈥淧astor Ben,鈥� as he is already known throughout campus, joined the 91精选 community in the Fall 2021 semester, following the retirement of long-time Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Formation Rev. Willis (Bill) VanGroningen.

Having grown up in the Dutch Reformed community of Holland, Mich., Snoek knew he wanted to work within that circle; as an ordained pastor in the Christian Reformed Church in North America, 91精选鈥檚 identity called to him. It was also 91精选鈥檚 innovative side鈥攖he preference of innovation over tradition鈥攖hat really drew him in. 鈥�91精选 is always trying something new,鈥� said Snoek. 鈥�91精选 always wants to have an attitude of saying 鈥榶es鈥� to things.鈥� He felt a match in values there.

Before joining 91精选, Snoek served at Asbury University, a small Christian liberal arts university in Kentucky as Assistant Chaplain for Worship, and then Director of University Chapel. Though he is still adjusting to 91精选鈥檚 unique community culture, Snoek is beyond excited to jump in and work with faculty and staff. He also desires to connect with all students: 鈥淚 feel it鈥檚 so important to share my life with you,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so easy for professional and administrative roles at colleges to kind of get buried down in the paperwork鈥� it鈥檚 one thing to talk about students, to talk about what they want, to talk about what鈥檚 keeping them up at night鈥攊t鈥檚 another to talk with them, about their hopes, their dreams, their aspirations. I can鈥檛 really create systems and structures and programs that you need if I really don鈥檛 know what鈥檚 going on in your heart.鈥�

Snoek also related how surprised he was with 91精选鈥檚 welcoming and warm atmosphere. 鈥淐hristian colleges have a reputation for being kind and friendly people. 91精选 feels different though,鈥� he explained. 鈥淭he students are eager to collaborate with the faculty and staff and administration, the faculty and staff are willing to work with each other.鈥� Altogether, he surmised, it makes for a place where everyone genuinely cares about each other. Everyone is supportive of one another. 鈥淭he staff and faculty seem to care a higher degree more about this school,鈥� said Snoek. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 really special. I don鈥檛 think we should take that for granted.鈥� He said he felt very welcomed and supported, like everyone here really wanted him to succeed. And he is grateful for that.

鈥淚鈥檓 really excited to see where God might lead the Campus Ministries office,鈥� said Snoek. Now that 91精选 is back in-person despite COVID鈥檚 still-roaming presence, Snoek believes it is a good time to start dreaming again and trying new things. He is eager to re-launch in-person chapel after a year of online worship. 鈥淲e have a really good opportunity here to try to be innovative, to be creative, to see where the Spirit might lead us.鈥�

At first, Snoek did not imagine he would ever be working in ministry. He considered other careers throughout high school鈥攂ut always, in the back of his mind, he was thinking of ministry. 鈥淚 just had a moment where I sort of felt that that was something God was calling me to do,鈥� he mused. 鈥淚 just knew that ministry was something I should follow and pursue.鈥� God really surprised him with this call to ministry; he never expected to be where he is now. 鈥淲hen I came to college, my only picture of ministry was a senior pastor of a megachurch, so I thought, 鈥極h, that must be what I want to do too.鈥欌�� Yet God had different plans. After working here and there at both small rural and urban megachurches, Snoek was led to Palos Heights Ill., and 91精选.

Snoek earned a B.S. and M.A. from Indiana Wesleyan University and completed ordination studies at Calvin Theological Seminary. Alongside his work as a campus pastor, Snoek is also writing his dissertation for a Ph.D. in systematic and liturgical theology at Columbia International University. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just a fancy way of describing theology from the perspective of worship.鈥� He noted that there were quite a few books on how to lead worship in churches and seminaries, but that was about it. 鈥淭here鈥檚 really no research in what worship looks like in colleges,鈥� said Snoek. 鈥淢y research is hoping to answer what that sort of stuff looks like.鈥� He loves studying and thinking about worship, yearning to dig deeper beyond musical styles or lights or the sermon. 鈥淲orship is a high-stakes activity: worship is where God encounters God鈥檚 people, and God鈥檚 people actually get to communicate with God.鈥�

Prior to working full time at 91精选, Snoek was a musician and string orchestra composer. He still publishes a bit on occasion. He also worked as a graphic designer in college and actively participated in music ministry, but currently, he is looking for a new hobby. 鈥淪o, if anyone has recommendations,鈥� said Snoek, 鈥渢hey can send me an email.鈥�

Overall, Snoek is delighted and eager to work more with the Campus Ministries office and all of 91精选. He looks forward to all the spiritual growth and connections to make in the years to come.

Learn more about Snoek and get in contact with him through 91精选’s website聽or follow him on .