University of Maryland – Baltimore County
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Meet Our Team
Trip Beans
Trip is the Campus Minister at UMBC. He is a peculiar combination of way past his prime athlete and nerd. Trip loves almost all sports and competition with specific interests in soccer, baseball (especially the Baltimore Orioles) and football (especially the Ravens). He is up to play just about anything from backyard whiffle ball to a table top game. He has also been collecting comic books since he was 12 years old. Trip is married to Joy and they have three kids.
Joy Beans
Joy has been a full time mom, part time volunteer in ministry since she and Trip married in 1999. She has worked with middle school, high school and college students, in women’s ministry and peacemaking. She is currently pursuing her certification in Christian Conciliation and as of June 1st, 2018 is officially campus staff with RUF!
She has the incredible ability to get lost in Target, Whole Foods and any town she’s ever visited (or lives in). She loves reading, hanging out with students, making her 3 kids laugh hysterically and soy chai lattes. She and Trip have been in Lancaster, PA with RUF since 2013.
Braxton Berkel
Braxton Berkel is from Louisiana but grew up mostly in Virginia. He graduated from James Madison University (ROLL DUKES!) with a B.S. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science & a Religious Studies Minor. While at JMU Braxton was an active member of a Pre-Professional Fraternity, Intramural sports, Club Rugby (only for like 2 weeks), and this other awesome group called Reformed University Fellowship. After spending most of his time with RUF Braxton decided he didn't want to leave yet which brings us here. RUF has been a huge part of the foundation of spiritual growth for Braxton. He was given a faithful community where he could not only be served but also serve alongside Christians at JMU. While continuing his time with RUF Braxton is praying for a community that loves the gospel and will grow with him at UMBC. With the love shown to him at JMU Braxton plans to share that same awesome experience with students at UMBC.
Braxton absolutely loves hanging out with people so in his free time he spends more time hanging out with people. He especially enjoys spending time with his fiancé, playing/watching soccer, going to the gym and is always down to have fun. He also enjoys listening to people as much as he likes talking to people. God made all his children special and Braxton will always want to hear about other people's experiences. He is STOKED to see what's going on at UMBC!