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 Deegan grew up in the small town of Tuscumbia, AL and graduated from the University of North Alabama where he studied English Education. After graduating, he moved to Houston, TX where he spent seven years working as a youth minister and where he currently still serves as a ruling elder. He is married to his wife Leah, and they have four kids Ellie, Sam, Will, and Maggie. Joe came on staff with RYM in 2018 as the Worship Resource Coordinator and has recorded several worship albums under the artist name RYM Worship, including “Promised Land,” “Sing Over Us,” and “A New Creation.” He now serves as RYM’s Director of Conferences where he continues to lead the music as well as the summer intern and conference programming. The RYM Worship music 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.