Hi there!
First of all, I want to thank you for you time coming to read this blog, and hope that something here (or anywhere) inspires you.
My name is Kyle Ratsch, and I was raised in North Carolina and attended Memorial United Methodist Church for most of my pre-college life. I must thank God for the incredible work ethic of both of my parents, Mark and Kim, as well as everything they have taught me. I must also give credit to Pastor Keith Newell and MUMC , where the missions ball began rolling for me. By the time I graduated high-school I had attended six different mission trips that focused on hurricane disaster relief. I definitely enjoyed the travel and the food, but really putting time in to help those whose lives had been changed in a terrible way really meant something to me.
In college, I learned exactly how selfish and sinful I was, and had to ruin several friendships before realizing that I wasn’t half the Christian I thought I was, and that I sincerely did not live out Christ’s message as I should.
Enter guilt, conviction, Webster Baptist Church, and a whole lot of Holy Spirit. Webster Baptist is a Church that truthfully holds the mirror up to themselves and asks, “Are we living how God wants us to?” and if the answer is no, they pray, and they change for the better. I have had excellent models and excellent accountability (and some Holy Spirit, that can never be emphasized enough) and through that I can only hope that my life models Christ now, and I pray that I will improve in my mission and witnessing later on.
It’s been three years since my graduation from college, and my degree has not been what I expected it to be, and neither have my jobs. I thought often, “why can’t I work full time in disaster relief?” and considered AmeriCorps repeatedly. I was presented with an opportunity to go mission trip to Nicaragua and it amazed me and blew me away in many ways. Primarily, it provided an opportunity for me to witness in a culture that did not speak the same language as me. Upon returning I went back to my job with Verizon, but I really desired something more (I will stress, however, that my job with Verizon is NOT a bad thing, and has been a tool to teach me so many lessons that will no doubt prepare me for the rest of my life). I was disappointed by returning to my work once more, but shortly after I spoke to two friends who mentioned an opportunity called the World Race, and how it had changed their lives and their relationships with God. Something clicked, and here I am.
So now I am hoping and praying to embark on this journey. I’m an underwhelming person with a passion for books, music (primarily metal, jazz, and orchestral), gaming, and cultures. I have experience in construction and youth ministry as well. If God sees me fit to send, I will go, and I will be as obedient as my imperfect heart will let me.
