Nancy Ruth
Co-Director, Author, Speaker
My goals have always been simply to serve the Lord and raise a family, but the way we picture the future is not always God's plan. I often say that God and I have been working on trust for a long time.
Testimony & "Call" to the Ministry
I accepted Christ as a small child and my salvation was confirmed at sixth-grade summer camp. I was baptized as a college freshman during homecoming weekend so that my family could attend.
In 1997, my senior year of high school, I found myself a co-director of Vacation Bible School at my Lutheran church and leading half of the closing program. God demonstrated His sense of humor by choosing a shy girl who was terrified of public speaking to begin teaching and leading others. I've been serving in His strength ever since.
Read more about that experience.
Why theology?
As a summer camp counselor during college I had a group of barely six-year-old campers one week. During evening devotions one night they began asking questions about the trinity. Thankfully, God sent the camp pastor to knock on their door just then, rescuing this blindsided young counselor. (God is good!) It was because of that incident that I began to study the big words and hard concepts of Christian theology. I went for a pastor's degree in seminary rather than one in children's ministry because I figured I needed to try to understand that stuff before I could explain it to children.
What was my education?
I earned an Applied Ministry degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Those degrees encompass theology, the Bible, biblical languages (Greek and Hebrew), apologetics, ways to teach, and assorted other things. I earned a Master of Arts in Christian Service with an Apologetics focus from Oklahoma Baptist University in 2019.
My oldest sister taught me to study people, how they interact, and how they learn best. These things, along with history and God's Word, have continued to be favorite subjects.
Other life shaping experiences?
My world shattered in 2003 when my much-loved oldest sister died rather suddenly. That was a very dark and troubled time (gross understatement). Even in that deep pit God proved Himself to be my unwavering Solid Foundation--the only One and only thing that can withstand the great storms of life.
Read more about that experience.
In November 2016, God called my mother home.
Work experience?
I have served on staff and as a volunteer in children's ministry since 2004. (Really I've been working on and off with kids since I started as an assistant teacher in Vacation Bible School in seventh grade, but let's stick with post-college assignments for the official number.) In the process I have worked with various-sized churches in multiple states and different denominations.
I co-founded Parent Road Ministries in 2013 when I left my Colorado children's ministry position to move to Oklahoma and get serious about writing. These days, I'm still writing, running Parent Road Ministries, and serving part-time as the children's ministry director at my church. Dad and I are also sorting through everything in the house to get rid of some things, repainting walls, hanging wallpaper, etc. It's a big job, so we're focusing on the little victories.
Check out a fuller resume on Nancy Ruth's LinkedIn profile.