Staff

Executive Director

Brent grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from The University of Oklahoma, and worked in oil and gas lending for a time before entering into full-time ministry. While working in Nashville at Vanderbilt University, Brent met his now wife Sarah. After leaving Nashville, they moved to Charlotte, NC where Brent attended Reformed Theological Seminary (MDiv, '10). After graduating, Brent worked with RUF for 12yrs (Campus Minister - University of Tulsa; Area Coordinator - South Central US), before joining RYM as its Executive Director in May 2022.

Brent and Sarah live with their 4 daughters (Nora Kline, Katherine, Mary, and Margaret) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Whenever there is spare time, Brent can be found reading, cooking, and working on various kinds of landscaping or construction projects.

Director of Conferences

Joe grew up in the small town of Tuscumbia, AL near the banks of the Tennessee River. Before coming to work for RYM, first as the Worship Resources Coordinator, and now as the Director of Conferences, he worked as a Youth Pastor at Christ the King Presbyterian Church in Houston, TX. He has since found a home in Houston with his wife Leah and his four kids Ellie, Sam, Will, and Maggie. As the Worship Resources Coordinator, Joe wrote and recorded his debut album called “The Risen King,” an eleven-song project that tells the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.  Joe has now recorded several albums with RYM Worship ("Promised Land", "Sing Over Us", and "All Things New"). This content, as well as some chord charts and curriculum, can be found on the “RYM Worship” page of the website.

Ministry Operations

Joey grew up in Orlando, FL and graduated from the University of Central Florida where he studied Business and Coaching. After collage, Joey spent 4 years serving on the RUF staff at the University of Tulsa prior to another 4 year stint in the tech industry where he worked in various Marketing roles. During his time in the start-up world, Joey relocated to Saint Louis, MO to attend Covenant Theological Seminary which is also where he began dating his wife, Dre. The two both earned Masters of Arts in Counseling degrees from CTS and were married in the spring of 2023. Joey and Dre now live in Chesterfield, MO where Dre works as a counselor and serves on staff at Chesterfield Presbyterian Church.

Director of Resources

John grew up in Laurel, MS and attended college at the University of Southern Mississippi. After college, John served in youth ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, MS and then served in youth ministry at Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church for over 12 years. John holds a Master of Divinity from RTS-Jackson and a Doctor of Ministry from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He published Your Days Are Numbered (2016), What Would Judas Do? (2017), Time Out! The Gift or god of Youth Sports (2018), Bible 101: Living, Loving & Learning God’s Word (2018), Insecure: Fighting Our Lesser Fears with a Greater One (2019), Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything (2019), and Social Media Pressure: Finding Peace Alongside Jesus (NGP, 2023). He also serves as the host of RYM’s The Local Youth Worker podcast and is sought after as a conference speaker. He and his wife, Ashleigh, have five children and live in Ridgeland, MS.

Director of Business Operations

Margaret grew up in Houston, TX where she was a member at Christ the King Presbyterian Church and attended RYM conferences every summer she could. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a Business Management Degree and a Certificate in Nonprofit and Social Innovation. During her college summers, she worked as a RYM Summer Intern and enjoyed all the experiences and memories made in this role as she saw churches diligently at work pouring into their student ministries. Her heart has always had an inkling and excitement for youth ministry and after studying business, she wanted to pursue something that would allow her to pour her business skills into a mission that glorifies the Lord. She is happily married to Carter and they live in Augusta, GA.

Director of Training

Michael grew up in north Louisiana and attended college at Ole Miss, where he met the Lord and his eventual wife, Kirby. After getting married and spending a brief stint in Austria doing grad school, they moved to St. Louis, MO where they attended Covenant Theological Seminary. Michael received a Master of Divinity and Kirby received a Master of Theological Studies. Before joining RYM, Michael served in youth ministry at Clemson Presbyterian (SC), Kirk of the Hills (STL), and Trinity Presbyterian (Cville, VA). Michael’s relationship with RYM began the summer of 2000 at the beloved Laguna Beach Christian Retreat, and he officially came on staff in 2016. He and his wife Kirby have 3 children and live in Charlottesville, VA.  

For decades, RYM has had the privilege of partnering with local churches and ministries through sponsor-hosted speaking events. These events take a variety of forms based on the vision and needs of our hosts. Typically, RYM staff are invited to speak on a range of topics based on a combination of the needs of our hosts, and the expertise and availability of our staff.

Hosting an RYM staff member usually begins with identifying whom you might want to come, as well as a potential topic. After reviewing the costs and guidelines below for hosting, we ask that hosts fill out the “Speaker Request Form” by clicking the button below. This simple form will ask basic questions about host contact information and venue, proposed date range and schedule, proposed speaker and topic, previous experience hosting events, and more.

Costs and Guidelines

• Hosts are responsible for planning and promoting their event. This includes, when necessary, marketing and communication about the event, online and onsite registration, venue and onsite logistics, and event programming. The RYM team is very happy to consult and provide feedback wherever helpful for the success of the event.
• Hosts are asked to cover the costs of travel (air and ground), lodging, meals, and any costs related to hosting an RYM speaker. For some events, we ask that an additional traveler (spouse or another RYM staff member) be covered to support the speaker.
• Hosts are asked to pay an RYM speaking fee that is relative to the experience of the speaker, the amount of teaching required, the demands of travel, and the size of the event. The speaking fee will be distributed by RYM to the hosted speaker.