Benjamin Castor, a 2023 graduate of Ben Lippen, has embarked on an extraordinary journey after completing his studies, one that has taken him across the globe to serve others and deepen his faith. Shortly after graduating, Benjamin joined Operation Mobilization (OM), the largest floating book fair in the world. This unique organization travels to port cities worldwide, offering books—especially Bibles and other Christian literature—that are often inaccessible to the locals. In addition to the book fairs, OM's ships feature cafés, host cultural performances, and participate in conferences to discuss their mission of spreading the Gospel in ways that resonate with different cultures.

OM's mission is to connect with the "least reached"—those who have yet to hear the message of Christ. Their ships travel to diverse locations, promoting cross-cultural understanding, providing humanitarian relief, and sharing a message of hope. The team consists of 400 workers from 70 different nationalities, serving in more than 110 countries.

Benjamin joined OM in the summer of 2023 as a graphic designer and photographer. He was tasked with creating impactful advertisements for OM’s events and fundraising efforts while also contributing to publications that highlight OM's mission. As a marketing strategist on board, Benjamin found himself embracing a unique lifestyle on a ship, traveling the world with limited communication to home.

Throughout his time with OM, Benjamin also developed another interesting new skill set—barista work. He managed OM’s coffee shop, engaging with people from all walks of life while serving them coffee and fostering meaningful conversations. His role provided him with numerous opportunities to speak at churches, conferences, and meetings, refining his public speaking and preaching skills. Benjamin even led evangelism classes tailored to African cultures, learning creative ways to share the Gospel in a culturally sensitive and effective manner.

His travels took him to 16 countries, including Scotland, England, Wales, Kenya, Ghana, and Brazil, giving him a broad and rich perspective on global ministry. After his year with OM, Benjamin returned to Brazil to work with TeenStreet, a youth ministry, where he joined the Media Production team.

Benjamin's year-long journey with OM has shaped his professional and personal growth, deepening his faith and trust in the Lord. He has witnessed miraculous works firsthand and has been stretched far beyond his comfort zone. As he reflects on his experiences, Benjamin is considering long-term ministry opportunities, possibly in a closed country, and is thinking about pursuing an advanced degree that aligns with his passion for missions. His heart remains open to the Lord’s guidance as he shapes his future.

Benjamin also shared his testimony at Ben Lippen’s Come to the Table event, speaking about how God has used his involvement in athletics—especially his years of soccer at Ben Lippen—to impact his faith and connect with people from all over the world.

We are excited to see how God will continue to use Benjamin’s diverse experiences to  “know Him and make Him known.”