Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Thanks Ryan Maloney
Ryan Maloney is the new Children's Minister at Saturn Road Church of Christ in Garland, TX. They hit a home run with this hire.
Ryan was the Children's Minister at Southern Hills in Abilene for a number of years. We got to know and appreciate his ministry for a number of reasons. I was an elder for much of Ryan's time there. My wife Marsha and our daughter Julie taught in his program. Two of my grands had much of their early teaching in his program. Marsha worked closely in his VBS every summer.
So here are a few things about Ryan that Saturn Road will appreciate.
He walks the talk. Ryan is real and genuine. He really wants kids to know Jesus and have their faith instilled in healthy and real ways.
He wants people to come to Jesus. He did events for the purpose of attracting outsiders. He tried to connect with them. Loved at VBS when he would encourage people that wanted to know more about Jesus to contact him.
He was innovative. OK, I don't know much about children's ministry so maybe this is not as innovative as I think but he did two things that I really thought were amazing.
He did adult VBS for several years. Big class for all the parents, members, and visitors. Really well attended. Had some baptisms.
Then he transitioned to a VBS musical. Local talent. Mostly our members. Outstanding.
I personally appreciate a minister that visits the hospital and shows up at the funerals. Ryan did that. Obviously for those connected to the children's ministry but for any and all of our members.
Ryan has Parkinson's and he handles it with grace and dignity. He is doing well with it. Last time we visited he was off medication and his Doctor had told him he could work thirty more years. But I think the best sermons are the ones lived. He models faithfulness.
He loves his family. They have some challenges. But he faces them with love and faith.
Now Ryan is not perfect. He is too driven. He may work too hard. And he worries that he is not doing everything he can to grow the Kingdom.
I have know a lot a great ministers, including at least one amazing Children's Minister. But I am thankful for Ryan and the ministry he has/is/will do for the Lord.
Honor to whom honor is due.
So God thanks for Ryan. Thanks for his influence in my family and in my flock. Bless his family and his health. Bless what he will do at Saturn Road. Keep doing great things thru him. Because of Jesus.
Ryan was the Children's Minister at Southern Hills in Abilene for a number of years. We got to know and appreciate his ministry for a number of reasons. I was an elder for much of Ryan's time there. My wife Marsha and our daughter Julie taught in his program. Two of my grands had much of their early teaching in his program. Marsha worked closely in his VBS every summer.
So here are a few things about Ryan that Saturn Road will appreciate.
He walks the talk. Ryan is real and genuine. He really wants kids to know Jesus and have their faith instilled in healthy and real ways.
He wants people to come to Jesus. He did events for the purpose of attracting outsiders. He tried to connect with them. Loved at VBS when he would encourage people that wanted to know more about Jesus to contact him.
He was innovative. OK, I don't know much about children's ministry so maybe this is not as innovative as I think but he did two things that I really thought were amazing.
He did adult VBS for several years. Big class for all the parents, members, and visitors. Really well attended. Had some baptisms.
Then he transitioned to a VBS musical. Local talent. Mostly our members. Outstanding.
I personally appreciate a minister that visits the hospital and shows up at the funerals. Ryan did that. Obviously for those connected to the children's ministry but for any and all of our members.
Ryan has Parkinson's and he handles it with grace and dignity. He is doing well with it. Last time we visited he was off medication and his Doctor had told him he could work thirty more years. But I think the best sermons are the ones lived. He models faithfulness.
He loves his family. They have some challenges. But he faces them with love and faith.
Now Ryan is not perfect. He is too driven. He may work too hard. And he worries that he is not doing everything he can to grow the Kingdom.
I have know a lot a great ministers, including at least one amazing Children's Minister. But I am thankful for Ryan and the ministry he has/is/will do for the Lord.
Honor to whom honor is due.
So God thanks for Ryan. Thanks for his influence in my family and in my flock. Bless his family and his health. Bless what he will do at Saturn Road. Keep doing great things thru him. Because of Jesus.
