When Their Paths Crossed
Ben met Emily when he was sixteen, during her first trip to Guatemala.
A few years later, he moved to the United States to pursue college. The transition was disorienting. Away from the ministry and the life he knew, Ben wrestled with questions of identity and faith. But through the fog, one truth never faded—he was called to return to Guatemala.
And in that season of uncertainty, reconnecting with Emily brought light, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose. Their relationship began across state lines and phone calls. But it didn’t take long before Ben packed his bags and moved to be near Emily.
A Family on Mission
She completed her third year of college. They got married. And six months after her graduation, they returned to the place that felt most like home—Guatemala. This time, not as interns or students, but as a family, ready to serve together.
Their rhythm of ministry unfolded naturally. A year and a half later, when Chris and Donna returned to the U.S., Ben and Emily stepped into the Directorship of Bethel Ministries International. They’ve carried that mantle since 2018—serving, leading, learning, and growing.
“The call hasn’t changed. It feels like God is constantly whispering, ‘You are right where I want you.’” — Ben & Emily
Emily:
“The people we serve may not have much, but they have faith. In the midst of deep suffering, joy and kindness still shine.”
Ben adds:
“We knew we were supposed to do this together. Every moment—every challenge and every joy—has prepared us for this. God’s hand has been on it all along. Even when we don’t see the whole picture, He’s weaving something beautiful for His glory.”
Today
Today, Ben and Emily continue their mission in Guatemala—raising their two daughters, Lily and Eliana, in the same legacy of faith, compassion, and calling that brought them together.
Directors
Benjamin & Emily Mooney
"There was no lightning bolt moment—just a gentle, steady stirring that I couldn’t shake" - Emily
An Unexpected Calling
Emily once made a decision: she would never become a missionary. The word felt too foreign, too far from the life she imagined. But God had already begun writing a different story.
At 14 years old, Emily boarded a plane to Guatemala for a short-term mission trip with Bethel Ministries International. She expected a week of service. What she didn’t expect was how deeply something would shift inside her. There was no lightning bolt moment—just a gentle, steady stirring that she couldn’t shake. She returned home changed. And then she came back the next year. And the next. Drawn not only to the country, but to the people, the purpose, and what God was doing through Bethel.
"Missions weren’t just what my parents did—it was the passion God placed in my own heart"- Ben
Ben: Growing in the Mission
When Ben was five years old, his family moved to Guatemala. His parents, Chris and Donna Mooney, had founded Bethel Ministries, and Ben’s earliest memories are filled with mission trips, wheelchair distributions, and learning how to serve. It wasn’t something he simply watched from the sidelines—it was the life he lived.
As he grew older, what began as a family rhythm became a personal calling. Missions weren’t just what his parents did—it was the passion God had placed in his own heart.