Ben Burns is the Director of gradGUIDES with Cru. He is an insightful, passionate and humorous communicator who knows how to hold the attention of young audiences.  When Ben speaks, students usually want him to autograph all kinds of apparel.  

Ben has developed a keen understanding of the college environment from over 20 years experience as a campus minister with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) on large and small college campuses.  Tired of seeing college students land on his doorstep after several semesters of spiritual failure, Ben wanted to tell graduating high school seniors about the spiritual challenges and opportunities of college.  In 2000 he developed his seminar, College Life 101: An Insider’s Guide to Spiritual Success After High School. 

Since then, he has given over 180 seminars in churches and Christian schools all across the U.S.   His College Life 101 seminar not only helps high school juniors and seniors understand the spiritual challenges of college, but challenges them to join thousands of other college students who are building God’s kingdom on their campuses and around the world.

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Ben's article, "Helping Seniors Finish Strong" appeared in the Networker Magazine and has been a featured guest on Family Life Today, The Georgene Rice Show, 180 with Karl Klausson and Up for Debate. Ben has an MA in Exegetical Theology from Western Seminary and was a professional comedy improvisor with Comedy Sportz. He is also creator of the YouTube channel, Improv Dad. He and his wife Janet are also national conference speakers on marriage and the family at Family Life's Weekend To Remember marriage getaways.

Ben and Janet have three of the nicest, smartest and most beautiful children you'll ever meet, and make their home in Portland, Oregon. 

(Learn more about the Burns' ministry.)

"The College Life 101 material was timely, vital and essentially life-saving for our  youth headed to college. We have rarely heard such clear, concise, relevant material presented in such an appealing and entertaining way."
                                             Host Committee
                                  Chinese Baptist Church


"The speaker was a very funny guy."
                                       High School Student


"Ben Burns is an excellent communicator with important truth to communicate to high school juniors and seniors. He has a great sense of humor and uses media in an effective way. Youth leaders and parents would do well to avail themselves of this great seminar."
                                                Dr. Ron Marrs
Assistant Professor, Youth/Pastoral Ministry
                                        Western Seminary


"The seminar was very excellent. The stories and humor were interesting and well placed.  Good job!
                                   High School Student