Pastor Jerry Ben has been in ministry since 1978. He began working with the students at Sagemont Church under the direction and leadership of Student Pastor Emory Gadd and Sr. Pastor John Morgan. He went on to serve with the Texas Baptist Men’s ministry of Lay Renewals spanning over 15 years, coordinating students and singles in weekend revivals within several churches in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, and Alaska. He also served as a counselor for many years with the Houston Youth Evangelism Conference, Super Summer, SOAR, Conclave and True Love Waits. Jerry has spoken at several high schools, student events and conferences. He volunteered for KGOL and KSBJ Christian radio for four years beginning in 1982. Then beginning in 1987, he was a prayer advocate for Broken Heart Ministries out of Atlanta, Georgia for two years answering live prayer requests from all over the country every Thursday night.

     He soon became the Student and Singles Pastor at Boulevard Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas, where he ministered for four years.  While there, he married his best friend, Casey, in January of 1994. They were called to Bethel Baptist Church in Deer Park, where he and Casey served in Youth and Children's Ministry for four years. God then called them to First Baptist Church of LaPorte where he and his wife ministered for nine years working with students and children. It was at First Baptist LaPorte where Jerry was ordained as a deacon and minister.

      Following the next several years, Jerry served as Student Pastor at First United Methodist Church of Mont Belvieu, and later, Associate and Student Pastor at Baptist Temple in Baytown. In 2018, God called him to serve as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Devers.

      In January of 2021, God welcomed his beautiful wife of 27 years to her eternal home. Jerry sought Isaiah 57:1 for comfort and acceptance during this time and even to this day:  “The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.” Casey was an amazing wife, mother, and friend, always putting God and others before herself. All who knew her miss her, but we look forward to the day when we will all see her again.  Jerry lives in Devers near his son Brady and wife Ashley, and also near his daughter, Kensey. His mission continues to serve and equip the local church and to evangelize the community to the saving power and knowledge in Jesus Christ.