Kris and I have been married for 11 years and we are the proud (sometimes struggling) parents of five children, ranging in age from 1 1/2 years to 8 years old. We grew up in NE Ohio and met in High School. So although we’ve been married for 11 years, we’ve been a couple for 17 years. We relocated to Dallas, Texas in the Spring of 2002. I have had the privilege of serving as the Technical Director at Watermark Community Church since 2004. Kris is a full-time wife and mother, and she is crazy-good at both!
Shortly after moving to Dallas, we had the privilege of being a part of our very first “small group”. We were together for 2+ years. I can imagine no greater experience, than to have had this group of friends be our first foray into the “community” experience.
In that group, we would often have a time of worship through music. One guy played guitar and I played my djembe. By no means do I fancy myself a percussionist, but I had a drum, and I brought it. After one such time of worship it was brought to our attention that all the “hand-raisers” were “otherwise occupied”. Those hand-raisers were the guitar player and myself (Ryan).
I am in no way deluded enough to believe that I have reached the of pinnacle following hard after Jesus Christ, but I rest in truth of Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Wouldn’t it be a beautiful picture of Worship, if were where too busy being Christ’s “hands and feet” that we lacked the opportunity to do something as petty as raising our hands?
I am still a hand-raiser, but by God’s grace, I am finding that I have fewer opportunities to raise my hands because I’m busy serving family, friends and community for the cause of Christ.
Blessings,
Ryan and Kris
