Benjamin Speidel, a 20-year-old Christian college student, died unexpectedly after collapsing during a hike with friends in Kansas on Saturday evening.
Speidel was hiking with a group along the Bridle Trail near Wyandotte County Lake around 7:40 p.m. when he suffered cardiac arrest. First responders were called to the scene and performed life-saving measures before transporting him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office has stated that foul play is not suspected, and his cause of death is pending.
A member of the hiking group recalled that Speidel was leading the way, clearing spider webs from the path for others. His family released a statement on his mother Maria's Facebook page, saying the devout Christian "went to be with Lord." They expressed gratitude that he was doing what he loved, stating, "We believe as hard as it is to accept, that nothing would have prevented this from happening."
Speidel was an active member of Lenexa Baptist Church and was slated to be an incoming student at Spurgeon College, which operates alongside Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The college focuses on training students for ministry and other professions within the Christian faith. At the time of his collapse, Speidel was participating in Spurgeon College's one-year missions training program, Fusion, which emphasizes discipleship, academic training, and cross-cultural engagement.
Friends and classmates remembered Speidel for his character and his "zeal for the gospel." His friend Hannah, who was on the hike, described him as a "true servant leader" who "truly considered others more significant than himself." Another friend shared a final conversation where Speidel expressed a desire to share his faith, stating, "I'm on fire."
Pastor Chad McDonald, under whom Speidel studied for his church's senior challenge program, said that Speidel "wanted to give his life in service to Christ and see others find the hope of the gospel." McDonald added, "He claimed Christ and lived Christ. We have no doubt about where Ben is today. He is with Jesus. His faith has become sight."