Bio
Ben Birdsong has grown up in church and a Christian school all of his life. Ben came to know Christ as Savior at the young age of six, but his life as a Christian stopped there. When Ben was in middle school, he came to realize that following Jesus is a lot more than being able to check off a box that you have been saved. Through involvement in his youth group and the guidance of others, Ben began to see that being a Christ-follower is so much more than praying a prayer. It is a life of radical surrender and radical faith following Jesus who we cannot even begin to get our minds wrapped around. When God opened Ben’s eyes to what Christianity was really about, He also began to lead and open doors that only He could imagine. God led Ben to partner with other students on his campus in founding a First Priority club which he helped lead for the rest of his time in high school. After graduating high school, God has led Ben to partner with Awestruck, a worship band, in Awestruck Worship Nights which are events for students that have been done at youth groups around Birmingham for the last three years. God also led Ben to First Priority of Alabama's Project Timothy Internship Program where he was able to capture a vision of a united church ministry strategy. Ben has had the privilege of serving alongside and on staff for ministries such as First Priority of Alabama, First Priority of America, and Student Life, Inc. Recently, God led Ben to begin Awestruck Ministries for the purpose of reaching students through helping them get a glimpse of the greatness of God.

Awestruck Ministries Mission Statement:
We exist to make famous the name of Jesus Christ as the crucified, risen, and exalted Savior through music and the teaching of the Word in order that people can catch a glimpse of Christ and be awestruck by a small taste of His glory.

Awestruck Ministries Vision:
We want to see students captivated by the grace and glory of Jesus Christ who desire to live out the gospel of love and grace in every area of their lives so that they will be a light in their world.

Ben’s desire is to share with your students about the greatness and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ so that they can respond in worship by living their lives in total surrender to Him!

References
“It is my prayer that thousands of students will be “awestruck” as you lead them in worship and challenge them in the Word. You and your gifts are helping to rock the universe for Jesus.”

Dr. Jay Strack
President
Student Leadership University
Orlando, Florida

“Ben Birdsong has a heart for ministry to students that is an overflow of his heart to worship God. I have worked closely with Ben when he worked as a part of our leadership team and camp staff, and I am encouraged by the understanding and depth he possesses as a young man. He has surrounded himself with Godly influences and those he can influence. He seeks every opportunity for ministry and growth. Ben is aware of cultural trends in the student world and communicates biblical truth in challenging and relevant ways. I am certain that you will be blessed by Awestruck Ministries and Ben Birdsong – I and our students have been.”

Brad Jenkins
Student Minister
Shades Mountain Student Ministries
Shades Mountain Independent Church
Birmingham, Alabama

“Ben has a great heart for young people, and he speaks their language because he spends most of his time ministering to them. He tells them what they need to hear, straight from the Word.”

Bob Cofield
First Priority Sponsor
Hoover High School
Hoover, Alabama

Accomplishments and Training

EDUCATION:
• Graduated with Honors from Shades Mountain Christian School in Hoover, Alabama
• Completed First Priority of Alabama’s Project Timothy Internship Program
• Currently Working on a Double Major in Marketing and Human Resource Management at the University of Alabama at Birmingham

MINISTRY TRAINING:
• Urban Youth Leader’s Summit- Sponsored by First Priority- 2005
• Like a Mustard Seed: Supporting and Celebrating Small Church Leadership- Sponsored by Samford University’s Resource Center for Pastoral Excellence- 2005
• Momentum 3: Youth Leader Conference- Sponsored by Global Youth Ministries/ Mark Hall (Casting Crowns)- 2005
• Catalyst 2007: Reverb- A Conference for Next Generation Leaders- 2007

MINISTRY EXPERIENCE:
• Counselor at Camp Straight Street- Summers 2000-2006
• Youth Mission Trip to Acuna, Mexico- 2001
• Weekly Discipleship Group Leader to Elementary-Age Children- 2004-2005
• Weekly Discipleship Group Leader to High School Students- 2003-2008
• Founder and Director of Shades Mountain Christian School’s First Priority- Responsibilities include planning and directing all aspects of weekly meetings- 2003-2005
• Youth Mission Trip to Honduras- 2004
• Project Timothy Intern with First Priority of Alabama- 2005-2007
• Youth Intern at Mountain Brook Community Church- Fall 2005
• Campus Coach for Shades Mountain Christian School’s First Priority Club- 2005-2007
• Band Manager for Awestruck- 2005-2008
• Youth Intern at Green Valley Baptist Church- Spring 2006
• Outreach/Evangelism Director for Camp Straight Street- Summer 2006
• Intern with Iglesia La Fe at First Baptist Church Alabaster- Fall 2006
• Campus Coach for Hoover High School’s First Priority Club- 2006-2007
• Intern with First Priority of Alabama- Spring 2007
• Missions Team Coordinator for Student Life- Summer 2007
• Data Services Assistant/Call Center Representative for Student Life- August 2007 – 2008
• Founder and Director of Awestruck Ministries- 2007-2008

PAST SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES:
• Bethel Baptist Church- Dora, Alabama
• Green Valley Baptist Church - Hoover, Alabama
• Hoover High School's First Priority - Hoover, Alabama
• Irondale’s First United Methodist Church- Irondale, Alabama
• Lakeside Baptist Church - Birmingham, Alabama
• Lakeview's Pelham First United Methodist Church- Pelham, Alabama
• Metropolitan Church of God - Birmingham, Alabama
• Mountain Brook Community Church - Mountain Brook, Alabama
• North Shelby Baptist Church- Chelsea, Alabama
• Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church- McCalla, Alabama
• Rock Mountain Lakes Church of God- McCalla, Alabama
• Simmons Middle School's First Priority Club- Hoover Alabama
• Shades Mountain Christian School - Hoover, Alabama
• Shades Mountain Christian School's First Priority - Hoover, Alabama
• Shades Mountain Independent Church - Hoover, Alabama
• Valleydale Baptist Church - Birmingham, Alabama