This week we continue the summer sabbatical series, “One True Thing.” Our guest proclaimer will be Ben Sandford. He will be delivering the message titled, “It Depends on Your Perspective.” The sermon text will be Luke 10:25-37. Accompanying passages will be Deuteronomy 30:9-14 and Colossians 1:9-14.
Chaplain Bennett C. (“Ben”) Sandford, a native of Hampton, Virginia, entered active duty in 2001. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia, and he has earned a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Theology from Union Presbyterian Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. His prior service includes 6 years in the Navy Reserves as an Intelligence Specialist.
His first assignment was on USS NORMANDY (CG 60) where he deployed for 6 months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002. He then served at CREDO Norfolk from 2003-2006. Transferring to 2D Marine Division, he was assigned to 2D Battalion, 6th Marines, and deployed to Fallujah, Iraq for 7 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon his return, he was reassigned to 2D Combat Engineer Battalion. In January 2009, he reported to U.S. Marine Corps, Special Operations Command, and deployed with the Special Operations Task Force-82 to Herat, Afghanistan for 10 months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Chaplain Sandford completed the Pastoral Care Residency program in 2011, and served at Naval Medical Center-Portsmouth in 2012-2014.
Upon promotion to Commander, he became the Director, Surface Forces Ministry Center in Norfolk, Virginia. Following this tour, he served as Command Chaplain, USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN 75), and deployed as the Carrier Strike Group EIGHT Chaplain during a 9-month deployment to the eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Norwegian Sea. He was then assigned as Command Chaplain, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. After selecting for Captain, he was forward-deployed to Okinawa, Japan as Wing Chaplain, 1st Marine Air Wing in November 2019. In 2022, he assumed the duties as Force Chaplain at III Marine Expeditionary Force. Chaplain Sandford became the current Director of Strategic Communication for the Chaplain Corps in July 2023.
Captain Sandford’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), Combat Action Ribbon (two awards), and various unit, campaign, and service awards. He is married to the former Lindsey Matthews, and he has three sons and a daughter.