The Merold Institute of Ministry proudly bears the name of Ben and Pat Merold. In 2008, Ben completed a 17-year ministry as Senior Minister of Harvester Christian Church, which he and his wife Pat began in 1991. After retiring, Ben served as Minister-at-Large. Ben passed away in November of 2022 at the age of 96. Pat joined him in June of 2023 at the age of 92. Ben’s previous ministries included a student ministry at Assumption, Illinois; a 5-year ministry at Villa Grove, Illinois; a 13-year ministry in Sullivan, Indiana; and a 22-year ministry with Eastside Christian Church in Fullerton, California.
In 1991, Ben decided to “start all over again” and accepted the call to become minister of Harvester Christian Church. Churches in Illinois, Indiana, California, and Missouri were blessed to have Ben and Pat Merold as ministry leaders. Both dedicated their lives to equipping church leaders. Pat trained countless women as Bible study leaders.
Ben was the speaker of the first graduation of the Merold Institute in 2017. Dr. Don Sanders, Director of the Institute, offered the following introduction, which describes the influence that Ben had on countless churches, leaders, and individuals.
“Our speaker for tonight’s celebration needs no introduction and yet needs every introduction. So much can be said about Ben Merold that you may already know. He’s led churches in Illinois, Indiana, served on the mission field in California, and was finally promoted to the big leagues when “retiring” to Harvester Christian Church.
Ben is a church consultant, a fantastic preacher, an encourager of ministers, a friend to those in need, a mentor, a WWII veteran, an avid Cardinal baseball fan, a farmer, a pilot, he runs a bed and breakfast with Pat at their home, a theologian, a historian, and a friend to countless people.
However, my favorite way to introduce Ben Merold is with a term that he probably likes least, but I mean it in the most respectful way. Ben Merold is a rock star. Now, throw out everything that’s bad about being a rock star. I mean it in this way—he’s a trend setter, he’s an influencer, he’s a social commentator, he has urban legends surrounding him, he commands a room, he’s sought after, and he certainly has stage presence! I’m pretty sure that Chuck Norris has a Ben Merold poster in his room.
In all seriousness, words cannot describe the influence you’ve had on so many people and the example you’ve set for us. There could be no one else to give the commencement address for the first class of the Merold Institute of Ministry than Ben Merold.”