Listen: https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-mj547-1af882c
One of my favorite parts of hosting the Leading by Following podcast is getting to sit down with people I deeply respect and admire, people I love. Recently, I had the opportunity to spend some time with our Discipleship Pastor, Jonathan Ruth, and I left that conversation more grateful than ever that God brought him to Chapin Christian!
If you’ve spent any time around Jonathan, you know he’s a relationship guy, a relationship builder. Whether he’s following up with a first-time guest, meeting someone for coffee, leading a Community Group, or encouraging someone in the lobby or out on the Connections Pavilion on a Sunday morning, he has a genuine heart for for the Lord and for people. That’s one of the many reasons he is such an awesome discipleship pastor.
What many people may not know is that discipleship ministry wasn’t always the path Jonathan expected to take.
Growing up in the Columbia area, Jonathan gave his life to Christ at nine years old and spent much of his early ministry years serving through music and worship. In fact, he thought worship ministry would always be his primary calling. But as is often the case, God had other plans.
Through opportunities to plant a church campus and eventually oversee small group ministries, Jonathan discovered a passion for helping people grow deeper in their faith through biblical community. Looking back now, it’s easy to see God’s hand preparing him for the ministry he leads today.
One of the things I love most about Jonathan is that he doesn’t simply talk about community—he lives it. He believes people grow best when they’re connected to one another and walking through life together. As I’ve liked to say over the years: Life change happens best in the context of community.
That’s why we’ve seen such incredible growth in our Sunday School classes, Community Groups, men’s ministries, and discipleship pathways. People aren’t just attending church. They’re finding relationships, encouragement, accountability, and a place to belong.
A place to grow more and more like Jesus.
And that’s what discipleship is really about.
During our conversation, Jonathan shared a story that perfectly captures this.
Several years ago, he received a connection card from a man named Martin. Following a simple prompting from God, Jonathan reached out and invited him to meet for coffee. What followed was a relationship that eventually led Martin to place his faith in Christ, be baptized, and experience the hope of Jesus even through some of life’s most difficult circumstances.
As I listened to Jonathan tell that story, I couldn’t help but think about how often God works through what seem like small acts of obedience.
A phone call.
A conversation.
A cup of coffee.
An invitation.
A willingness to step into an uncomfortable moment because God is leading us there.
The truth is, many of the greatest stories of life change begin with a simple “yes” to God’s prompting.
That’s why one of our core values at Chapin Christian Community Church is Relational Evangelism: investing in a trusted friendship for the sake of eternity.
When I hear stories like Martin’s, or stories of neighbors inviting neighbors, students inviting friends, and families finding a church home, I’m reminded that God still changes lives through ordinary people who are willing to follow Him.
Jonathan also shared something that resonated deeply with me. Even as a pastor and leader, he sometimes wrestles with feeling unqualified. I appreciated his honesty because I think many of us know that feeling. I sure do.
The reality is that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about faithfully following Jesus and helping others do the same, trusting Him for the answers we need.
The Apostle Paul said it this way: “Follow me as I follow Christ.”
That’s discipleship.
That’s leadership.
And that’s exactly what I see in Pastor Jonathan.
I’m thankful for his friendship, his leadership, and his faithfulness. But more than that, I’m excited about what God is continuing to do through the discipleship ministries of C4.
The best truly is yet to come!
If you haven’t listened to this episode yet, I encourage you to take some time and do so. I believe you’ll be encouraged, challenged, and reminded that God often does His greatest work through simple acts of obedience and authentic relationships.
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