Ministry Focus

During college Ryan explored many areas of ministry including music, youth and creative programming, but nothing fit him as well as working on the college campus. He was appointed by Missions Door in June of 2001 to work at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, and he served there through 2004. While there, he helped lead the ministry through a transition from a small inwardly-focused ministry to a growing evangelistic ministry that had a significant impact on the campus community. In September of 2004 Ryan moved to Tucson, Arizona, to launch a campus church called Damascus Road. A team of twelve friends who attended college together all moved to Tucson to start the church where it continues to minister to the University of Arizona campus community.

Today Ryan and his wife Megan, who met through the ministry, serve as Co-Pastors of Damascus Road. Ryan also serves as the Director of Campus Ministry for Missions Door. He provides leadership, vision, training, and care for the over 20 campuses Missions Door ministers on in the United States and Mexico. His passion is helping ministers and ministries flourish, and developing dynamic communities of faith on college campuses.

Faith Story

Ryan grew up in a wonderful Christian home. He was taught the Bible and heard the message of Jesus early in his life but his faith became his own in college. During his freshman year at Truman State University, Ryan saw the movie Patch Adams. The main character was a doctor who not only cared for people’s illnesses but extended love and grace to the whole person. In this film Ryan saw Jesus’ words in Luke 5:31 come alive: “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do. I have come to call sinners to turn from their sins, not to spend my time with those who think they are already good enough.” At this moment Ryan felt God calling him to love people in the same way.

Megan has lived in the desert her whole life but moved to Tucson, Arizona for college. There, she blossomed in faith and leadership, serving in church and discovering more of who God made her to be. When asked at a job interview for a speech therapist position what she enjoyed doing, Megan responded, "caring for people's souls," and feels called to serve and care for others spiritually. Megan left her speech therapist position to pursue ministry with a special emphasis on mentoring, discipleship and small groups at Damascus Road.

Family

Ryan and Megan married in March of 2013 and they have four children: Roland, Aidan, Catherine, and Jude. They enjoy the gift of raising their children and how God continues to grow them through loving these tiny strangers.

Education

Ryan has a B.A. in English from Truman State University (Kirksville, MO) and an M.Div in Leadership Development from Phoenix Seminary (Phoenix, AZ). Megan has a B.A. Linguistics and a B.S. In Speech and Hearing Sciences, as well as a M.S. in Speech Language Pathology, all from the University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)