Ryan Day

In his sermon on Ruth 3, Ryan reframes the story not as a romantic tale centered on Boaz, but as a bold narrative of radical inclusion with Ruth as its courageous, Christ-like hero. He challenges the traditional reading that casts Boaz as the redeemer, instead lifting up Ruth’s agency, loyalty, and willingness to take great personal risk to secure dignity and belonging—not just for herself, but for Naomi and even for Israel. By drawing connections to the stories of Tamar and Rahab—outsider women who also defied societal boundaries—Ryan suggests Boaz’s openness to Ruth may stem from being raised in a lineage shaped by such redemptive acts. Ultimately, he calls the church to embrace the Christ-like path of inclusion, recognizing that true transformation happens in proximity to those we’ve othered, and asking what bold steps we might take for the good of another.

In this message, Ryan reflects on his personal journey from a dominionist evangelical upbringing to a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship as a vital part of faith. Challenging the idea that humans are entitled to exploit the Earth, he reframes Genesis 1:28 through both rabbinic and justice-oriented lenses, emphasizing that we are not owners, but stewards of creation. Drawing from scripture, Wendell Berry, and lived examples of environmental harm and racism, he urges the community to recognize the Earth as a co-sufferer and co-creator in God’s redemptive story. He closes with practical ways to act locally in Oregon and a benediction that calls us to be gentle, restorative people in a groaning world.

What if imagination isn’t just for dreaming—but for healing? In this vulnerable and layered message, Ryan reflects on his own winding journey through ministry—its illusions, betrayals, and unexpected turns—and invites us to reimagine what repentance really means. He moves beyond guilt and into growth, challenging us to expand our view, shift our thinking, and hold beauty and tragedy in the same breath. Drawing from Isaiah, lived experience, and raw honesty, Ryan dares us to believe that even in a world that feels fractured, we can make something beautiful again. It might just start with how we see.

What kind of soil are you rooted in—and is it helping you grow? Ryan turns the familiar parable of the sower on its head, shifting the focus from the seed to the ground beneath it. With depth, clarity, and honest self-reflection, he explores the conditions that either nourish or choke out growth—like hardened hearts, crowded lives, and unexamined wounds. Through powerful stories and disarming vulnerability, Ryan invites us to care for the soil of our souls and to help others do the same. This one will leave you thinking not just about your growth—but how you help others flourish, too.

What if joy wasn’t about what we feel, but about who we are in God’s story? The angels announced “good news of great joy” to shepherds—outcasts of society—proclaiming that joy belongs to all people, regardless of status or situation. Joy is an invitation, not a reward. Even amid sorrow, we find joy by anchoring our hearts in God’s unshakable promise to renew the world. Advent joy is about inclusion, restoration, and the declaration that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Joy isn’t fleeting happiness—it’s a gift meant to be shared. How will you share it this season?