Richard Boyeme
I am a follower of Jesus Christ from the Democratic Republic of Congo, married to Martine Lofinda, and blessed with three children—one son and two daughters. We relocated to Columbus, Ohio, in November 2014. After first attending New Life Church, our family served for a season at a Congolese congregation before returning to New Life in 2017, where we have been ever since.
I was born and raised in a Christian Catholic family, but in 1997 I made a personal decision to follow Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at Logos Rhema Church in Kinshasa—a non-denominational church where I grew spiritually and served as an evangelist.
Today, I serve at New Life Church as a prayer partner and as the leader of the International French-Speaking Small Group. I also minister through Bethesda Ministry, organizing Christian gatherings and outreach opportunities since 2018. I am passionate about prayer, unity in the body of Christ, and seeing lives transformed through the power of the gospel.
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Ben Aikens
I am married to Vanessa and blessed with four children—one son and three daughters. I grew up in Westerville in a godly home where church was a regular part of life. Yet it wasn’t until a church camp after my sophomore year of high school that I truly understood the grace of God for the first time. That experience changed everything—my heart, my direction, and my passions.
At The Ohio State University, I got involved with Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru), where I learned what it meant to walk daily with Christ and to share my faith boldly. After earning my business degree, I interned with Cru, expecting to serve for just one year—but that one year turned into a 23-year (and counting) calling to full-time ministry with college students at Ohio State.
I continue to love the world of business and completed my MBA from Cedarville University in 2023. I’m grateful that I get to live out my passion for leadership and discipleship in the context of ministry, helping the next generation encounter the life-changing grace of Jesus Christ. I also enjoy serving at New Life in KidzLife!
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