Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Fontenot.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ryan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in the small East Texas town of Waskom, TX. All my life I wanted to be a Dallas Cowboy. Let’s be honest though, what young boy didn’t?
I began my journey of faith at the age of 18 when I trusted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. As a freshman in college, I felt a calling to reach out to the generation behind me with the love, truth and hope I had found in my faith.
For eight years I served as a student minister for churches in Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi. R.A.G.E. Ministries began in 2003 as I saw a need to reach out to the next generation. There are so many who are slipping away from any hope in this life.
I traveled full-time for eight years speaking in churches, camps, conferences, schools, and colleges. The past several years I was the Lead Pastor for a local church in Keller. As of January I stepped out of that role and relaunched R.A.G.E. Ministries where I am once again traveling a speaking across the United States.
I am married to the love of my life, who also was my high school sweetheart, Heather. We have three amazing kids Elyn, Inly, and Tru and our family dog Oscar.
Has it been a smooth road?
As with any calling or career, you have your highs and lows, your ups and downs. Some of the biggest struggles for us along the way have been helping teens grasp a long view on life.
In our day there is so much pressure to live for the moment with no thought of the future. It’s all about the now! So helping teenagers grasp, yes seize every moment, but realize the choices you are making today do have consequences and impact on tomorrow.
Also, as with running any non-profit, you have the constant challenges of our vision being bigger than our budget. This helps us think creatively and innovatively on ways to fulfill the mission with the resources we have and invite others to be part of the journey with us.
Please tell us about R.A.G.E. Ministries.
As I shared earlier, R.A.G.E. Ministries aims at reaching the next generation with the message of Jesus. We accomplish this by partnering with churches, organizations, and individuals.
One large piece of this is also equipping current teens to reach out to their peers with this hope. We spend time helping students think through and strategize on how to both show and share the love of Jesus.
What sets us apart is, as we hear from so many people, our “realness”. We aren’t trying to trick anyone or put on a show. Our heart is, to be honest, upfront, truthful and genuine. This is what connects with students, and adults for that matter.
When people see you are real. When they understand you genuinely care about them. When they sense you are for them, not against them, anything is possible!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see two big opportunities in front of us. The first big shift for us is handing the torch to the next generation. Generation Z wants to be involved in something bigger than themselves. They want to be part of making it happen. These kids aren’t just wanting to show up and watch, they want to be part of bringing the change!
Second is learning to leverage technology to connect with the teens. Let’s be honest, if it isn’t on their phone, it isn’t in their life. So we are currently trying to figure out the best ways to leverage that space to connect our message of hope and empower them to share that message.
Pricing:
- School Assemblies $1000-$4000
- Next Generation Leadership Equipping $1000-$4000
- Week Long Speaking $2500-$6000
- Weekend Speaking $1500-$3000
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rageministries.com
- Email: office@rageministries.com
- Instagram: rageministries
- Facebook: weareragemin
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