Benjamin D. Kulp

Benjamin D. Kulp of Y-City, Arkansas, passed away quietly and unexpectedly at his home during the early morning hours of January 22, 2022, at the age of 83.

Ben was born to the late Rev. Harvey and Mrs. Katherine Kulp in Limerick, Pennsylvania, in 1938. After graduating high school, Ben worked for the Woolworth corporation, pioneer of the modern retail concept department stores, helping start and manage new stores. A brilliant student, he received a scholarship to Purdue university to study engineering. Spending some time in the program, he was soon disenchanted with the lack of integrity growing in modern academia. Feeling a calling on his life, he transferred to Messiah Bible College; a school that specialized in training teachers and missionaries.

At this time, Ben met a young nurse, Rochelle Kujet. They were married September 7, 1962. After graduating from Bible college, he established Wayside Christian School, an outreach of Wayside Chapel in Pottstown, PA, which was in continuous operation for over 50 years in the hands of his late brother, Paul Kulp of Oley, PA. A passion for children and Christian work led him to serve in many capacities in other Christian schools where he was highly respected for his gift of administration. In the mid 1970’s, Ben and his wife Rochelle felt a calling to move to Arkansas, where they purchased property in Scott County. The abilities recognized when he was offered the scholarship to Purdue were put to use as he built his own home on the newly purchased property in Y-City. Ben’s talents were many. He was industrious, thorough, and his quality of work was unrivaled. Ben and Rochelle were faithful for many years, working and building a new life in Arkansas, serving in their community and church.

Ben soon felt led to pursue further education in Christian ministry, completing the requirements for ordination with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. He was accepted as a new worker to plant a church in Y-City in early 1990; naming it Wayside Chapel after the church his father planted many years ago in Pottstown, PA. The current program document for ordination with the C&MA clearly outlines the passion Ben felt for Christian work, specifically that, “In every generation there must be men and women who choose to walk deeply with God, embrace His mission as their own and fully aware of the rigors of the higher path, choose to pour out their lives so that the Kingdom may advance unhindered into the future…intentional and aggressive about advancing the Kingdom of God, with a focus on the priorities of: desperate dependence on the Holy Spirit; missional living; and godly leadership development.”

He hosted several studies for the development of Christian families, encouraging them to raise their children in the ‘fear and admonition of the Lord’. In 1993, Ben published a book he had penned over ten years prior, entitled “Kidnapped! No, not my Child!’ through which he sought to warn Christian parents that the public education system in the U.S. is anti-Christian and is seeking to control the minds of each child. On the cover of the book, he acknowledged his own parents’ keen awareness of the influences of the public school system, slowly eroding the spiritual life of the children and youth of his generation. He attributed their personal sacrifices, allowing him to attend a Christian school, to the dedication of his life to children and youth; serving as a Sunday School teacher, youth leader and pastor; active in the Christian school ministry since the 60’s as a teacher, administrator, and consultant in various states. After 40 blessed years of serving the Lord together, Ben surrendered his wife Rochelle to the Lord as she passed away in 2002.

Ben later met Dianna Fiedler, a retired teacher, also passionate for the Lord, in 2003. They were married in 2004 and together they began a Christian school at the Wayside Chapel in Y-City; ministering to Christian families and troubled youths for several years. He continued strong until the very end, recently completing construction on their new home and improving access to it with a beautiful concrete drive.

Family and friends knew Ben as a perfect gentleman, with a large heart, who cared deeply for people; a light in his generation. After he retired from full-time church ministry, he continued serving, active with his church family at First Baptist Church in Mena, AR. His ministry and work expanded even into Belize where his contributions and service were well received and deeply appreciated, touching many lives.

Ben began and ended each day with the Lord, singing, praying, and reading the Bible. His favorite songs included, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “Nothing is Impossible,” and “Only Believe.” He faced many trials, as children of God often do; but, through every trial he testified, “Well, the Lord’s still testing me. I hope I pass this time. I just want people to see Jesus in me.”

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. and Mrs. Harvey Kulp also of Y-City, AR; his dear wife of 40 years, Rochelle Kulp; brothers, Harvey Kulp of Gilbertsville, PA and Paul Kulp of Pottstown, PA; and a much-loved stepdaughter Lisa Taylor. He is survived by his beloved wife of 18 years, Dianna Kulp, of Y-City, AR; a sister, Ruth Rice of Colorado Springs, CO; a brother Edward Kulp of Oley, PA, a brother Tim Kulp, also of Y-City, AR; several stepchildren and grandchildren;16 nieces and nephews; and many grand-nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date in early Spring. Friends and family are invited and encouraged to share photos, memories and testimonies of the life and ministry of Ben through his tribute wall at www.bowserffh.com.

Online Guestbook: www.bowserffh.com

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