Ben and Debbie met in Spanish class at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was there that a boy from Minnesota and a girl from the Amazon Basin in Brazil began a friendship. Four years later Ben graduated in Theology and Debbie in Social Work.

That summer Ben went on his first 6 week trip to Brazil interning with PAZ International and then returned to ORU where he obtained a Masters in Business Administration. Debbie went as a missionary to Japan spending a year serving in planting the international church in Japan. She then also returned to Tulsa where she obtained her Masters in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma.

They were married in Michigan at Cornerstone Church where they worshiped and served for almost 7 years. Ben joined the staff at Cornerstone Church as the intern director, was ordained as a pastor, and ended his time there as the adolescent pastor. During this time Debbie obtained her state license and worked as a therapist helping many children and their families while also being very involved in the church. In Michigan God blessed Ben and Debbie with two beautiful daughters, Isabella and Evelyn. This family has a great love for the local church and wants to see many more churches planted!

Ben and Debbie moved their family as missionaries to Japan in January 2019, joining the wonderful work that PAZ Japan is doing for the Lord in Tokyo. There they were blessed with their third daughter, Eliana Justice. They are striving to learn Japanese to reach the goal of winning the nation for Jesus!

Follow their journey at www.theblockfam.com.