Ryan Reed
***You may access and download my full resume at Resume – Ryan Reed
***You may read and download a questionnaire that I recently completed in regard to a youth ministry position at Questions for Potential Youth Director – Reed
***You may view and download my Statement of Faith and Spiritual Autobiography at Statement of Faith and Spiritual Autobiography – Reed
***You may also access and download the following reference letters:
AB College Chaplain and Professor Letter of Reference
Young Life Mentor Letter of Reference
A Friend’s Letter of Reference
Urban Promise Supervisor Letter of Reference
Youth Ministry Colleague and Friend Letter of Reference
ORB Community Church Pastor Letter of Reference
Princeton Seminary Professor and Mentor Letter of Reference
OBJECTIVE:
Seeking a long-term placement at a church, faith-based NGO, or educational setting to serve adolescents; motivated with experience and a firm theological education.
PROFILE:
I am: a spiritually mature individual, who has been journeying with Christ and under the discipleship of others for over 10 years; experienced serving adolescents, working with various organizations and schools, as well as earning a Master’s Degree in Youth Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary; called to serve people who live in impoverished environments, acknowledging that all people have been created in the image of God, even those deemed the ‘least of these’ by our society; inspired by a Baptist heritage, raised in an American Baptist (USA) church and appreciative of Baptist ideals and theology, especially doctrine concerning mission, the priesthood of all believers, and the autonomy of the local church; learned under Reformed theology, upholding the theological continuance of great theologians past and present throughout the history of the Church; married to a wonderful woman named Stacy, who teaches me more about the love, grace, and mercy of God than anything I could read or study in a book; a marathon runner, keeping healthy and energetic so that I may continue the work of God for decades to come; in love with life, using the words of Jeremiah, “But if I say, I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” (Jeremiah 20:9)
SKILLS:
I am: a strong and effective communicator, utilizing both written and verbal mediums, frequently speaking at youth retreats and other religious and non-profit functions – most recently as a panelist for Princeton Theological Seminary’s “After Your First Call,” May 2011; an interpersonal and socially aware leader, facilitating discussion among both small and large groups, utilizing various learning methods and philosophies, while also maintaining an awareness of various cultures, races, and ethnicities present in discussion; a relationship builder, placing high importance upon the individual, as a uniquely created, gifted, and loved child of God; yet, not at the expense of the corporate community; a visioneer, arousing ideas, creativity, and imagination among those with whom I serve and work; driven, focused on maintaining commitments – persistent to completion no matter the level of difficulty – orienting myself and others toward particular goals, directions, and outcomes; self-sufficient, relying upon my intellect, given skill-set, and determination to follow through with tasks in order to achieve desired outcomes and beyond; a team player, serving with humility and energy alongside my fellow co-workers, always looking for ways to build them up for continued service; an innovator, implementing diverse forms of thought, media, cultural scripts, and perspectives into both my work and teaching; an academician with strong reading comprehension, writing, and verbal skills; a life-long learner, acquiring knowledge that prepares me to equip others; a developer of leaders, investing time, energy, and life into those individuals who demonstrate innate qualities for leading others; called to discipleship, forming individuals within their unique talents and abilities to serve Jesus Christ in the world; and, a servant of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
EXPERIENCE:
- Media Specialist, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ, Fall 2006 – Spring 2010
Assisted faculty, staff, and students with audio/visual and basic program needs, such as Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer and Safari, Mac Operating Systems, and Mixer Sound controls.
- 6th and 7th Grade Director, YMCA, Parkersburg, WV, Summer 2002-2004, 2006-2009
Planned and structured a 10 week Day Camp, including science, reading, fitness, off-site trips, and volunteer programs. Created and implemented curriculum, using various educational philosophies and approaches. Supervised 5 counselors in the care and instruction of over 30 children.
- Camp Counselor, Camp Cowen, Cowen, WV, Summer 2003 – 2009
Served at Camp Cowen, counseling grades 9 -11, teaching occasionally. Also attended this camp from summer 1993 – 2002 as a camper.
- Work Group Coordinator, Urban Promise Ministries (UP), Camden, NJ June 2008 – August 2008
Administered and organized the daily function of the Work Group program at UP; led workgroups and UP staff in a weekly devotional; authored UP workgroup manual; created and implemented a workgroup blog for both the workgroup participants and community residents; and conducted seminars on racial and ethnic sensitivity. Guided weekly panel and dinner discussions between workgroup participants and adolescent and community leaders who reside in Camden; led weekly tours for the workgroups through Camden in order to bring about awareness to both the history of the City of Camden and the harsh reality of urban poverty.
- Intern, Outreach Red Bank (ORB), Red Bank, NJ, September 2007 – May 2008
Studied closely with the lead pastor of a small Christian community (about 150 people) deemed an ecclesiastical phenomenon by professors of the Practical Theology Department at Princeton Theological Seminary and studied in Kenda Creasy Dean’s book The Godbearing Life. I also worked with the High School Group: gave talks twice per semester, led a small group, mentored a college student to become a small group leader, and participated in a high school group retreat, as well as several one day gatherings.
- Senior Volunteer Leader, Young Life, Grafton, WV, August 2002 – May 2006
Commenced and led a weekly Young Life program comprised of 10 leaders and over 50 regularly attending students (averaged nearly 80 students toward the end of the given term); facilitated two gender exclusive small groups – personally led one discipleship group comprised of 5 young men; weekly lead speaker – cultivated skills in verbal, large group communication during this time; managed and facilitated a bi-weekly leadership meeting; led a group of leaders and students to a week-long camp for three consecutive summers; led the YL club on four retreats per year for three consecutive years; and, hosted monthly gatherings for the students and leaders, consisting of all-nighters, day trips, and evening night-outs.
- Interim Student Minister, First Baptist Church, Williamstown, WV, May 2005 – September 2005
Oversaw the Student Ministries program of a local church (averaged over 1,000 adults and 100 students each Sunday). Initiated small group mentoring projects and volunteer opportunities for adolescents. Facilitated and led weekly evening gatherings, including skits, games, and a planned talk given by me. Coordinated volunteers, consisting of parents, adult leaders, and college students. Served with 7 other staff personnel.
EDUCATION:
- Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ, September 2006 – May 2010
Master of Divinity
Master of Arts, Youth Ministry emphasis
*GPA: 3.4 on 4.o Scale
- Alderson Broaddus College, Philippi, WV, August 2002 – May 2006
Bachelor of Arts – Christian Studies
Minor – Education
*GPA: 3.8 on 4.0 Scale
PROFESSIONAL-RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Short Term Missionary, Living Water International – Clean Water Drill Trip, El Salvador, December 2010
License to the Gospel Ministry, First Baptist Church, Parkersburg, WV, January 2010
Together in the Lord Conference, ABC-USA, Orlando, FL, January 2010
Princeton Forums on Youth Ministry, Princeton, NJ, Spring 2008 – 2009
One-Day Youth Specialties Event, Queens, NY, Fall 2007
Short Term Missionary, Urban Promise Ministries, AB College Spring Break 2002-2006
One-Day Youth Specialties Event, Huntington, WV, Fall 2005
Student Teacher, Math, Phillip-Barbour High School, Philippi, WV, Academic Years 2004-2005
AWARDS AND HONORS:
Bryant Kirkland Excellence in Practical Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ, May 2010
Alderson Broaddus College Graduate with Honors, May 2006
Magna Cum Laude, Alderson Broaddus College, Philippi, WV, May 2006
Outstanding Senior Award, Alderson Broaddus College, Philippi, WV, May 2006
Outstanding Senior Male in the Humanities Division, Alderson Broaddus College, May 2006
Appalachian College Association Citizen-Scholar Award, Alderson Broaddus College, May 2005
Morris-Tippens Scholarship, Full Tuition, Room & Board, and Book Waiver, Parkersburg H.S., May 2002
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
