Ministry Life – The Up’s, Down’s, and In Between’s
Ministry isn’t just a title—it’s a calling that shapes every part of my life. I have the deep honor of serving as both the Student Pastor and Administrative Pastor at Living Light Church of God in Jasper, Alabama, where I’m also an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God. It’s here that I’ve found not only a spiritual home but a mission that drives me daily.
When I was 16 years old, I knew I had a calling. As many times as I tried running from It, The Lord always found a way to keep me on track but It didn’t come without a price.
Credentials: The Journey of Brokenness and Breakthrough
In May 2023, I made the decision to pursue ministry credentials through the Church of God, beginning a journey that includes three levels—Exhorter, Ordained Minister, and Ordained Bishop—each requiring rigorous study and testing.
But even before that decision, there was a season where I wrestled deeply with my faith.
Shortly after Holly and I began youth pastoring, we experienced a devastating loss—a miscarriage that shook me to my core. I found myself questioning everything I had believed. For weeks, I stepped back, searching for answers. I dove into research on human life, creation, and the very existence of God.
No matter which path I went down, the evidence kept leading me back to one unshakable truth: there is a Creator, and He is faithful.
That painful season, though full of heartbreak, laid a foundation of faith that would carry me through the storms to come.
Shortly after beginning this process, in August 2023, I started the Ministerial Internship Program (MIP), a required nine-month commitment before becoming an Ordained Minister.
Just a couple of months into MIP, in October 2023, tragedy struck. I lost one of my best friends and mentors to an unexpected heart attack. Only three days later, while I was preparing to preach at his funeral, I was blindsided again: a random meeting appeared on my calendar, and during it, I was informed that I had lost my job.
Being the sole provider for my family, the weight of these back-to-back losses was almost unbearable.
I remember calling my wife and telling her and while I was on the phone I broke. Her first response was “We are going to figure It out and we will be okay.”
Together with a close friend and financial advisor, I quickly built a plan: we had a 10-week severance and could lean on retirement if needed. But in those moments, fear tried to overwhelm me. I had never felt so vulnerable.
I tried to compartmentalize my emotions, knowing I also urgently needed to find a new job. I applied for over 200 positions and received only one interview. From the start, I asked God not to open any door I wasn’t meant to walk through. Yet, during the interview process, I told Holly, “If I don’t get this one, I don’t know what more they could want.”
I remember talking with my pastor, feeling discouraged, and he said words I’ll never forget:
“Ryan, did you really think you could pursue credentials without your faith being tested?”
I wanted to believe I didn’t need to be tested—but the truth was, I needed humbling.
During this season, I realized just how much the mind can become a battleground. Dark thoughts crept in—questions about how to ensure my family would be provided for. I wrestled with devastating ideas like, “If I wasn’t here, Holly could pay off our debts and be better off.”
Mental health struggles are real, and no one is immune. What kept me grounded were the faces of my wife and children—and the unwavering belief that God would remain faithful.
One Wednesday night, just before service, I received the call: I didn’t get the job. “Heartbroken” doesn’t even come close to describing how I felt. I somehow pulled myself together enough to teach that night, but the pain lingered. Later, as we got ready for bed, I broke down and told Holly “I am so tired of feeling like this.” I even remember begging Holly, “Please don’t see me as a failure. I’m doing everything I can.”
The very next morning, I got an email requesting one more interview. A few days later, the recruiter called:
They had liked me so much that they created a brand new position just to hire both me and the other candidate.
At that moment, I clung to one undeniable truth:
“I sought the Lord. He heard me. He answered.” (Psalm 34:4)
A Storm that Wouldn’t Let Up
Meanwhile, life continued to press down.
- Holly’s aunt, who was like family to me, became gravely ill.
- Our pastor—also a dear friend—had to step away and soon retired.
- And in April 2024, my father passed away
Beauty from Ashes
Through every loss, every heartbreak, and every moment of doubt, God’s faithfulness never wavered. Even when I didn’t understand the season I was walking through, He was there—guiding me, strengthening me, refining me. I am living proof that even when the night feels endless, morning always comes.
Student Pastor: Investing in the Next Generation
My heart beats for young people. As the Student Pastor, I have the privilege of walking alongside students during one of the most critical seasons of their lives. Whether it’s teaching on Wednesday nights, leading Sunday School classes, or taking trips to youth camps or youth outings—I live for the moments where I can point a student toward Jesus.
Youth ministry isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. Watching students discover their identity in Christ, step into leadership, and make their faith their own fuels my passion and keeps me coming back with fresh energy week after week.
Administrative Pastor: Serving Behind the Scenes
In addition to student ministry, I also serve as the Administrative Pastor. This role is something new and very innovative. My main focuses in this role are being creative with the church vision and direction. We recently launched our mobile app in the App Store allowing our members and guests to stay up to date with our events and news right at their fingertips. I manage the content along with working in parallel with our media person with online graphics and our online streaming. If there Is something that can be automated, I try to find that solution.
I believe that strong administration creates space for effective ministry—and I’m passionate about building a church environment where things run smoothly so lives can be changed freely.
Ordained Bishop: A Lifelong Calling
Being an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God is both an honor and a responsibility. It reminds me that ministry is not something I do part-time—it’s the path I’ve been called to for life. I take seriously the trust that’s been placed in me to lead, teach, mentor, and serve God’s people with integrity, compassion, and biblical truth.
Ministry is more than what happens on a stage or behind a pulpit. It’s in the quiet prayers, the deep conversations, the hard decisions, and the daily faithfulness to show up and serve. I am grateful for every opportunity to shepherd, guide, and point others to Jesus.