Spurgeon College and Midwestern Seminary are mourning the death of an incoming student who collapsed during a missions training programme.
Benjamin Speidel died after unexpectedly collapsing on Saturday 15 August while taking part in the college's missions training week.
President Jason K. Allen said the death had deeply affected both the Speidel family and the wider college community.
“This comes as a tragic, traumatic event for all of us, especially for the Speidel family and those students and staff in closest proximity to Ben,” he said. “By all accounts, he was a promising young man who loved the Lord. As a father of three college-aged students, I simply cannot imagine what the Speidel family is enduring. I covet your prayers for them and for the campus community as a whole.”
College leaders said counselling and pastoral support had been made available to students and others affected by Speidel's death.
Speidel was an active member of Lenexa Baptist Church, where he had taken part in its Senior Challenge programme for graduating students, focused on biblical worldview, evangelism and Christian discipleship.
Pastor Chad McDonald said Speidel's commitment to his faith had been evident during the programme.
“I had the pleasure of getting to know Ben this last year through our Senior Challenge program,” said McDonald. “For eight weeks this spring, Ben would show up in the evening along with several other fellow seniors to be challenged through the Word. His love and commitment to Christ was obvious. He wanted to give his life in service to Christ and see others find the hope of the gospel. He claimed Christ and lived Christ. We have no doubt about where Ben is today. He is with Jesus. His faith has become sight.”
Friends and classmates also remembered Speidel for his willingness to serve others and his enthusiasm for sharing his faith.
“Ben was a true servant leader,” said his friend, Hannah K. “Earlier that day, he was leading the way on our hike, clearing out the spider webs for everyone else. He truly considered others more significant than himself. I will really miss Ben.”
Another friend, Gavin W., said: “All he wanted to do in life was to be used by God in whatever way God had for him.”
Andrew H. recalled speaking with Speidel during the training week about evangelism and the Christian belief in hell.
“My last conversation with Ben Speidel will stay with me for the rest of my life. I think it encompasses who he was and what he was about. After hearing teaching about the reality of hell that day, he told me that it was weighing on his mind. He recognized that he had something not everyone had, and he desired to see others accept that gift as well.”
“Ben looked at me that night, and when prompted with what he was going to do with what he had learned, he simply replied, ‘I’m on fire,’” recalled Andrew. “He was eager to go into the world and share the light Christ had given him. That’s how I remember Ben. Someone eager to go forth and make Christ known.”
Lenexa Baptist Church prayed for Speidel's family during its Sunday service following news of his death.
Sam Bierig, dean of Spurgeon College, said the loss had also been felt across the institution's mission teams.
“I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Benjamin Speidel,” he said. “I grieve for his parents and siblings, and, as a parent, cannot imagine what the Speidel family is going through as they have lost their son. This is, of course, a great blow to our mission teams and the whole Spurgeon College community. His presence and passion for the Great Commission will be greatly missed.”
Allen also urged students and staff to continue praying for the family.
“At times we struggle to understand God’s perfect will in human affairs. This is one of those times,” he said. “Please pray we, and especially the Speidel family, will experience the matchless grace of God and sense the unmistakable ministry of the Holy Spirit in our midst in the season ahead.”
