Spiritual Formation Staff

The Spiritual Formation team, left to right: Danielle Rebman, Ben Norquist, Matt Benson, and Jessi Trigger

In the Spiritual Formation suite, building relationships is one of our highest values-- so visit us on the third floor of the Latimer Student Center and share a cup of tea or coffee.

Matt Benson, Dean of Spiritual Formation and his wife, Melody, love raising their children (Jonathan, Joshua, and Emilyn) to welcome college students, visitors, and missionaries to fellowship on the back porch. Matt brings experience as pastor, music leader, and pastoral counselor to the table, as well as a keen sense of kingdom-living, leadership development, and strategic thinking. He is earning a doctorate in Spiritual Formation from Talbot School of Theology.  

Ben Norquist, Assistant Director of Spiritual Formation graduated from Bryan College as a History major and returned to his hometown of Minneapolis, where he met his wife, Ariel. Ben earned his MA in Western Thought at St. John's College and then fulfilled a lifelong dream to become a barista...for one month. Ben and Ariel's passion for international missions and spiritual formation soon drew them to Tennessee and Bryan College. They now live in Cranmore Cove with their son, Henrik.

Ben's vision for students at Bryan: I pray that our students develop a deep, abiding love-relationship with God, and that they will continually live out of that relationship.
Movie recommendation: Babette's Feast

Jessi Trigger, Associate for Worship and Discipleship joined Spiritual Formation after graduating from Bryan with a degree in Communication Studies. Jessi has been leading worship services and developing her song-writing gifts since high school, and exudes a deep love for music, a lifestyle of worship,and heart-to-heart conversations. She recently married her best friend, Joel.

Danielle Rebman, Associate for Spiritual Formation also came on staff after receiving a degree from Bryan College, in Liberal Arts, and continues to be fascinated by all things that intersect with literature, art, Christian thought, history, and culture. Her ocean-loving Florida roots are quickly sinking into the Tennessee mountain soil. Danielle takes every opportunity to mentor students, travel, and learn to cook foreign foods.

Danielle's vision for Bryan students: That the audacity and grace of Jesus would continually shake up and shape the way that you love God, your neighbor, and yourself.
Book recommendation: My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok