Pupil lets religion lead him in his travels and life

Ben Stewart, a 13-year-old rising freshman at Augusta Preparatory Day School, left yesterday for a week-long mission trip to Guadalajara, Mexico.

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It is the first mission trip for Ben who has been home schooled for the past six years.

"I don't really know what to expect," said Ben earlier in the week. "So far as I know, we'll be doing drama and witnessing to the people all day."

Ben will portray a person of the land in a dramatic interpretation of the life of Jesus and of God's plan for salvation. The skit involves nearly 30 youths from Warren Baptist Church. The youngsters will perform at orphanages, cathedrals and on the streets of Guadalajara.

"From what I hear, we may be performing the skit five or more times a day," said Ben, the son of Sheila and Jason Stewart, of Evans.

Regarding his faith, Ben said Christians have been given "the freedom of everlasting life in Jesus Christ" and he wants to share that word with the people in Mexico.

"He's grown so much in his spirituality," said Josh Padgett, a middle school youth intern at Warren Baptist where Ben is a member. "He has solidified some great relationships here."

As a preschool and former VBS volunteer at church, Ben strives to share his faith with those all around him. Prior to moving back to Evans last year, Ben spent three years in England where he was involved with the Department of Defense school activities and competitions. Despite those extracurricular activities, Ben found time to be actively involved in the children's church at the chapel he attended.

"In our Bible studies, Ben is less timid about speaking up and sharing his thoughts with us," Padgett said.

"Our sermon this week was something along the lines of you keep your freedom in Christ by witnessing to others," said Ben, a finalist in this year's National Spelling Bee and a contender in this spring's state geography bee. "That's important to me."