"Jesus did not come to start
a religion. He came to
blow religion off the map."


Original. Genuine. Contagious. These are the words that best describe Ronnie McBrayer.

Ronnie is an applauded story-teller with a schoolboy wit and a deep faith. Eagerly, he invites the reader and listener in to reflect, to laugh, to face the unexpected, to be stirred and to be challenged. One thing is certain: Those who encounter the words and stories of Ronnie McBrayer will not leave unchanged.

A product of the foothills of North Georgia, Ronnie claims he barely survived the fire-and-brimstone, fundamentalist upbringing of his Baptist-born childhood. But, in the great comedy of God, Ronnie has spent his adulthood in ministry, both preaching in and protesting against; both loving and leaving; both running away from and returning to the church. Ronnie's faith isn't in organized religion, however. It is in Jesus.

Ronnie holds degrees in Christian Education and Theology with additional studies in Bio-Ethics and Critical Incident Stress Management. He has been a pastor, chaplain, leader in social justice ministries, and a writer. But the role he enjoys most is being husband to Cindy and father to Blayze, Bryce, and Braden.

He is a dynamic and compassionate speaker, leader of A Simple Faith, and the author of several books including But God Meant It for Good, Keeping the Faith, and the newly released Leaving Religion, Following Jesus. He also writes a popular, award-winning faith-based weekly column for the newspapers of the Freedom Communications Group where he lives in the Northwest Florida Panhandle.


WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT RONNIE MCBRAYER...

Ronnie McBrayer is a gifted writer. My advice is to get his books and read them. Once you start, you'll have difficulty putting them down! – The Late Millard Fuller, Founder, Habitat for Humanity and the Fuller Center for Housing

 
Don’t start his book without first clearing your calendar for the rest of the day. This is a treasure house to be visited and revisited. – Leonard Sweet, Author and E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism, Drew University

 
McBrayer offers powerful retellings that weave scripture, real life experience, history and headlines into highly readable and engaging narratives. His books offer deep spiritual insight into the daily challenges that confront us all. – Dr. Rob Nash, Global Missions Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

 
Ronnie McBrayer is a masterful storyteller. In a remarkably refreshing way, he interweaves cogent, illuminative, congruent masterpieces sending us on our way stronger, better, and wiser. – Dr. Barry Arnold, Professor and Chair Emeritus of Philosophy and Religious Studies, University of West Florida

 
Ronnie has a great knack for story telling and uses it to help us find ourselves in the ancient words of the Bible, in a fresh and powerful way that is filled with drama and humor, challenge and inspiration.  – Jim Wood, Founder, Wears Valley Ranch

 
Beyond his obvious giftedness is an honest and good heart that gives everything a touch of wisdom and grace. – Landon Saunders, Founder of Heartbeat

 
I would recommend that anyone who has a problem with organized religion give Ronnie McBrayer a read and decide if you want religion or if you want to know Jesus better. His book could and should be used as a text in a class to help you understand the teachings of Jesus in the context of modern living. – The Baryon Book Review

 
Ronnie McBrayer’s book focuses on the relationship with Christ, something that is so often lost through years of soulless church attendance. Encouraging much faith no matter what one does on Sunday mornings, this book is a fresh and recommended take on faith, a “grade A” pick. – The Midwest Book Review

 
Despite the title, McBrayer’s book is not about leaving religion, rather it is about going beyond religion as we frequently have been taught it. The author provides a deep examination of Jesus' life and teachings, revealing to us the underlying messages, the insistent focus on love and justice rather than the "rules" of organized religion. It is, in effect, a guide to applying the real lessons of Jesus' life to our own lives. – James A. Autry, Author of Looking Around for God