We’ve spent a fair amount of time together, since last summer, trying to understand the character of God through the life and ministry of Christ. In much the same way, I’ve tried to put faces and names to people who live lives that matter — people who live out their faith every day.
Fortunately, we aren’t relegated to the pages of a book or the words of a Sunday sermon — sometimes we just need to look around.
Often, we don’t have to look far.
“How can you not Like Ryan?”
When the Apostle Paul tells us to follow his example, as he follows the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1), we begin to understand the responsibility we have as Christians to live out our faith. We are his hands and feet in this world.
And while Paul said “follow me,” my message as we approach Senior Sunday hits closer to home: Let’s all be a little more like Ryan.
If you ask anyone who knows Ryan Mignerey about the type of person he is, my guess is that you would get a lot of the same answers. That said, I don’t have to guess because I asked.
Ryan is kind, humble, generous, perseverant, perceptive, thoughtful, selfless and a servant to others.
Taken together, it’s basically the answer I’d get if I asked Alexa to describe the most important traits of a Christian.
“Ryan is kind to people of all ages .. how can you not like Ryan?” said Dick Skaff, who served alongside Ryan at Pipe for many years, and who also noted that Ryan is even nice to his brother. “What impresses me is his maturity and his confidence without being arrogant. And humility. He is not one to brag, even though he could.”
There’s a Lot to Brag About
Ryan has had an incredible high school career as a student-athlete, finishing with the second-most wins of any tennis player in the history of Flushing High School — and a four-time Metro League Champion. He took AP classes in school, coached tennis, played baseball, worked a part-time job and still managed to make it to Pipe on Sunday nights.
Ryan is a credit to his parents, Kristen and Todd, who, to use a tennis term, are both aces (OK a volleyball term as well). They have raised two impressive boys (we will talk about Scott next year) who are as compassionate as they are competitive.
They’ve introduced Ryan to comedy movies from the 1990s; he knows about music and sports from before he was born; he’s seen Top Gun. They are doing it right.
Most importantly, they instilled in Ryan the desire to know Christ and to love his neighbor.
Ryan is incredibly intelligent, he asks great questions and always gives thoughtful responses. It’s how Jim Pope, our former youth pastor, described his experience with Ryan during confirmation — always thoughtful and discerning. Even if you didn’t know for certain, you’d suspect his parents are educators.
Ryan has decided to major in graphic design in college but, for “fun*,” he’s taking Chemistry as a freshman at Wartburg.
*Chemistry is not generally considered fun.
His tennis coach at Flushing, Ian Thomas, has witnessed Ryan’s determination and perseverance for many years which, he said, set him apart from his peers.
“I’ve seen him grow from a young adolescent sixth grader into a mature young man, passionate about being the best he can be,” Thomas said.
Coach Thomas said Ryan’s time coaching middle school tennis has not only helped younger players grow into the sport, but also to learn how to be positive, impactful young people. It wasn’t just his talent on the court that stood out, but his work ethic and character.
“I’ve seen the hours he has put in.”
I am Third
While it is hard for anyone who has played Ryan in tennis or ping pong (I consider getting to 10 points against him a victory) to imagine him finishing anything other than first, Ryan has chosen third in his life.
When I first met Jim many years ago at another church about 10 minutes south of First Prez, he used to give out an award annually to the student that always put God first and others second. He called it the I Am Third award, something he brought with him to Pipe.
This is Ryan’s Award.
“He allows his actions to speak more than his words,” Pope said. “He seems to have the ability to make the most of the moment. He has a mature faith about himself. He has a rich self-awareness that draws others in, and that will only grow as he embraces the next chapter of his life.
“He’s a tremendous servant of others.”
When I reached out to Ryan’s future tennis coach, Chris Gustas, at Wartburg, I wasn’t certain whether he would have much to say about Ryan, whom he has only known for a short time and from a distance.
Double fault. Unprompted, he was able to describe Ryan to a tee.
“Ryan thinks of other people first, it’s something I’ve noticed,” he said. “When I ask him something about how his season is going, he always talks about the team first.
“I feel like his mind is always on others, and I really appreciate that.”
Angie Field, who had Ryan in the children’s ministry at First Prez for many years, said that Ryan is an absorber with a thoughtful spirit — he was always looking for ways to help.
“He pays attention to those around him; his teammates, friends, family,” she said. “He quietly and faithfully supports those around him and encourages people. In that way he shows Christ’s love without having to say anything.”
The Next Chapter
As Ryan looks forward to a brand new experience, 600 miles from home, it’s important that all of us are reminded that what we have in our community of faith is special.
We love each other; we support each other; we share in common the calling of Christ on our lives. Our hope as a community of faith is that Ryan will know that First Prez is home — now and forever.
“I hope Ryan feels that he is loved by the people here, and loved by God,” Mr. Skaff said. “I would hope that he would take that love shown to him and share it with others.
“And I feel confident he will.”
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Philippians 2: 3-5
The Pipe 