Ben Seewald on Marrying Jessa Duggar at 19: A Teen Marriage Story

In this episode of The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast, we sit down with Ben Seewald for an honest conversation about getting married at 19, raising six kids before 30, and pastoring a church in Arkansas. Ben opens up about marrying Jessa Duggar Seewald as a teenager, what those early years of marriage were really like, and how faith shaped their decision to start a family young. He shares behind-the-scenes stories about their engagement, the scary complications during Jessa’s first birth, and what God has taught him through fatherhood, ministry, and 11 years of marriage. We talk about: - Getting married young in conservative Christian circles - Raising 6 kids before age 30 - Balancing marriage, ministry, and family life - Encouragement in Christian marriage - Date nights with little kids - Pastoring faithfully without chasing “success” - The reality of parenting, sacrifice, and spiritual growth If you’re interested in Christian marriage advice, Duggar family updates, parenting young, or pastoral ministry life, this conversation is for you! 🔔 Don’t forget to: 👍 Like 💬 Comment 📩 Subscribe for weekly episodes 00:00:00 - Introduction to Ben Seewald 00:00:11 - Early Marriage and Parenting 00:00:54 - Meeting and Marrying Jessa Duggar 00:01:16 - Current Life and Ministry 00:03:09 - Reflections on Early Marriage 00:08:47 - Jessa's Talents and Skills 00:12:12 - Reflections on 11 Years of Marriage 00:15:37 - Continued Personal Growth and Learning 00:16:41 - The Importance of Encouragement in Marriage 00:18:33 - Revisiting Old Habits of Love 00:20:22 - Maintaining Expressions of Love Over Time 00:23:58 - Making Time for Each Other 00:25:06 - Reflections on Early Marriage 00:26:39 - Current Ministry and Future Plans 00:29:38 - Appreciation for Ben's Selflessness 00:31:16 - Early Parenting and Adapting to New Routines 00:34:57 - Health Consciousness and Dietary Choices 00:37:34 - Reminiscing About Nicknames and Early Marriage 00:40:00 - Reflecting on the Engagement Proposal 00:43:19 - Advice on Dating and Marriage OUR INCREDIBLE SPONSORS: COZY EARTH: Luxury Shouldn’t Be Out of Reach. Visit ⁠https://CozyEarth.com/jinger/⁠ and use my exclusive code JINGER for 20% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. EVERY PLATE: What are you waiting for? Dig into these flavor-packed meals your household will love. New customers can enjoy this special offer of only $2.99 a meal. Go to https://everyplate.com/podcast and use code JINGER299 to get started. Applied as discount on first box + $10 off your first month, limited time only. ARTICLE: If you’re looking to upgrade your space, we’ve been loving Article. Their furniture is modern, high-quality, and easy to style. Go to https://www.article.com/discount/jinger for $50 off your first purchase. TRUST & WILL: Protect what matters most. Trust & Will makes it simple and affordable to create your will or trust online in minutes. Visit https://trustandwill.com/JINGER and get 20% off when you use the code JINGER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices