Roots | jensensnjapan

Ben was born in Omaha, Nebraska but moved with his family when he was three to Lawrence, Kansas. He grew up in the same house three blocks north of the Kansas University football stadium where his parents still live. Ben attended Lawerence High and then Lawerence Free State when it first opened. He played football, basketball, soccer, and tennis in high school, but when the 1994 World Cup came to America, he fell in love with the world's game and decided to focus on soccer for the rest of his athletic career.

Ben is thankful to have grown up in a loving Christian home with parents who faithfully taught him the Gospel. He trusted in Jesus Christ for his salvation from a young age.

Julie grew up in Olathe, a suburb of Kansas City. She attended Berean Christian School in Olathe for Kindergarten thru 12th grade. Julie took piano lessons for many years and enjoyed singing in her school choir and with her two sisters for speical music at church. Julie was also blessed to be part of a believing family, and both her parents were very involved volunteering at the church and Christian school ministry.

Julie loved teaching for as long as she can remember and played "school" with her little sister when they were young. In high school, she taught character education to Kindergarteners at the Christian school. Julie was also involved in student leadership, girls' volleyball, and some theater in high school.