Overview

Spirituality and character development are at the very center of all that we do at TMI. It is the beating heart of our community, inspiring our students and faculty to move to the rhythm of compassion, justice, joy, peace, meaning, and purpose. There are three main components of Spirituality at TMI:

TMI is a Christian school "with values based on the teachings of Jesus Christ", and because of this we seek to model Jesus' own hospitality to all people, regardless of their cultural or religious background. Thus, TMI strives to include all members of the TMI family, welcome families from other spiritual traditions, and celebrate our religious diversity, as we journey together and on a path of spiritual and moral growth.

The Rev. Dr. Benjamin H. Nelson III joined the TMI community as Chaplain during the summer of 2021. Fr. Ben is a lifelong Episcopalian, has been ordained for almost 19 years, and most recently served as the 39th rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in San Marcos. As a parish priest, he has served congregations in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, East Tennessee and Hawaii.

Fr. Ben's passions in ministry are working with children and youth, leadership development, healing and recovery from addictive illness, and the ever-deepening spirituality of generosity in our lives. He has served on advisory boards for several local outreach agencies and as a consultant for congregations wishing to deepen their life of generosity, leadership, and stewardship. Fr. Ben's first joy is serving God, and the people of God, and he likes to imagine his overall title as “Grace Enthusiast” – a role that he hopes to live up to every day of his life and is grateful to bring to TMI.

Fr. Ben grew up in the Mississippi Delta where good bar-b-que and great blues were a part of the culture. His faith, his regard for story-telling, and his love of music, were all shaped in the flatlands of this culturally-rich part of the Magnolia State. He graduated cum laude with a BA in history from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, and began the journey toward ordination shortly after graduation. He graduated with his Masters of Divinity in 2002 from the University of the South School of Theology. In 2013, Fr. Ben graduated again from the School of Theology with a Doctor of Ministry degree. His Thesis, “Spirit of Water, Spirit of Aloha,” combined an experience with creation, delight in the waters of baptism, and a love for Hawaiian cultural values.

Joining Fr. Ben as members of the TMI community are his wife, Linda, and daughter, Cooper, TMI Class of 2026. Fr. Ben loves running, biking, or any activity that allows him to be outside or around water, and he is excited to be part of the TMI community.

“I am thrilled to join the amazing people of the TMI community in serving God and finding our call together as lifelong learners. What a joy for me to be a part of such a wonderfully loving, ever-evolving, dynamic place. As we grow in Grace together, I can’t wait to see what is in store for us as students, teachers, and friends. I’m so grateful to walk this Way of Love together in the next part of life’s adventure! It’s a great day to be a TMI Panther!”