Ryan Burns

I make things work.

Specifically, I look at ideas, organizations, and systems, taking in the many interconnected pieces, and find ways to make them work as efficiently and effectively as possible.

In my free time, I enjoy intense physical challenges, writing, starting small businesses, marketing, and being with my family.

While there's more about me below, you can find my official resume is here.

What I Do

Redemption Hill Church

For my day job, I work at a church in Richmond, VA, overseeing business operations and kids ministry.

Fitness

I love being physically challenged. I am a Level 1 CrossFit Trainer, working out and working at CrossFit Addict. I also regularly participate in 24-28 hour endurance events put on by GORUCK.

Soccer

I grew up playing The Beautiful Game. I have shared that love with kids ages 4-14 as a youth soccer coach for 10 years. Recently, I hung up my whistle and now enjoy sitting back and watching my boys play.

CliftonStrengths

For those who like tidy boxes to put people in, my CliftonStrengths (formerly Strengths Finder) key strengths are Analytical, Discipline, Deliberative, Responsibility, Self-Assurance.

Writing

I enjoy writing. I have several side projects that allow me to express this joy. Rucking.com and Ruck.Beer are two examples.

Reading

In 2020, I decided to stop being lazy and read more. Here are my annual reading lists.

Side Hustle

I know a little code. I have a background in marketing. I enjoy communication. Mix those together and I'm always trying to find a way to turn it into a profitable side hustle. The Rucking Collective LLC is the company I formed to run it all.

Kolbe A

For those nerdy enough to know what Kolbe A is, I am 6-8-3-3 (aka, Explain, Systematize, Stabilize, Envision). Kolbe measures your instinctive way of doing things and the result is called your MO (method of operation).

Resume

Jobs, Projects, and Work

2010 - Present
Redemption Hill Church

Director of Operations & Kids

I make things happen and get things done for a growing 800+ person, multi-congregation, church in Richmond VA including financial management, volunteer management, event management, human resources, policy & procedure development, facilities & real estate, communication, and kids ministry.

2020 - Present
The Rucking Collective, LLC

Owner

As many of my side projects (most listed below) continue to grow, I decided it was time to start an official LLC to bring them all together. In August 2020 The Rucking Collective, LLC was officially born.

August 2020 - Present
CrossFit Addict

Level 1 CrossFit Trainer

I train athletes of all age and skill levels in constantly varied, functional movements, performed at high intensity. I do this in small groups and one-on-one settings at CrossFit Addict.

2019 - Present
RuckingChallenges.com

Creator, Owner, Operator

From idea to development to implementation, I manage all aspects of RuckingChallenges.com monthly challenges, serving hundreds of participants from around the world every month.

2015 - Present
Ruck.Beer

Writing, Development, and Marketing

Launched after my first GORUCK event experience, Ruck.Beer has grown to be a go-to source for the rucking community. With a focus on SEO, social media, email marketing, and community building, Ruck.Beer has thousands of readers every month, driving hundreds of thousands in sales to various affiliate partners every year.

2016 - Present
Ruck.Training

Creator, Programmer, Developer

I built Ruck.Training from the ground up, including the development of the custom training guides. On the site, I offer free training guides for men and women wanting help in preparation for a GORUCK Challenge. These custom guides have been downloaded thousands of times. Through SEO, social media, and email marketing, the site continues to grow and succeed.

2018 - 2019
Full Circle CrossFit

Level 1 CrossFit Trainer

I trained athletes of all age and skill levels in constantly varied, functional movements, performed at high intensity. I did this in small groups and one-on-one settings. (CrossFit Full Circle ceased operation October 2019)

2008 - 2010
Logos Bible Software

Marketing Manager

As marketing manager, I was responsible for a number of marketing initiatives include targeted micro-site development, press relations, special promotions, and social media (which was still new in 2008)

In addition to the above, I created and launched one of Logos' most profitable promotions ever, Logos March Madness, which still exists today.

I also had a key marketing roll in the launch of Logos' print magazine, their first mobile app, and the most expansive platform upgrade, Logos 4.

2010 - 2013
QuietHeadphones.com

Owner & Operator

For three years I owned and operated QuietHeadphones.com, marketing and selling studio-quality sound isolation headphones. In 2011 I also launched the spin-off microsites Drumming-Headphones.com, Studio-Headphones.com, and Guitar-Headphones.com. After several very profitable years, the sites were retired in late 2013 due to the rise of Amazon.

2007 - 2009
GoingtoSeminary.com

Owner, Writer, and Editor

Launched in late 2007, GoingToSeminary.com soon became the go-to source for information and advice about going to seminary. From a simple personal blog, I grew the site to be a full online magazine with a staff of 8 writers producing fresh seminary-related content every week. In late 2009 the site was sold to Faithlife.

2015 - 2017
SeminaryScholarships.org

Owner, Sales, Marketing, and SEO

Launched in Early 2015, SeminaryScholarships.org offers students a comprehensive, filterable, listing of scholarships. Designed to be a one-stop-shop for seminary scholarships which allows students to quickly find scholarships that meet his or her unique situation, as well as provide seminaries the ability to directly reach a highly targeted market. The site was sold in 2017 to Dallas Theological Seminary.

2011 - 2013
Best-Seminary.com

Owner, Sales, Marketing, and SEO

Launched in Mid 2011, Best Seminary is a resource site for students looking for a seminary. Designed to be a comprehensive resource site for US & Canadian seminaries, the site offers information, statistical data, and reviews from current students and alumni. The site was sold in late 2013 to Faithlife.

2014
Church-Jobs.org

Owner & Operator

Launched in August 2104, Church-Jobs.org was created to offer an elegant and affordable staffing solution to the online church staffing market. Built with a focus on delivering a better user experience for job hunters and employers, Church-Jobs.org delivers speed, security, and simplicity in order to connect those who are calling with those who are called. Unfortunately, I was never really able to get traction in this somewhat crowded market and ceased active work on the project after 3-6 months.

2007
VitalKey

Director of Keyholder Services

This was a six-month contract position in which I was brought in to help optimize the efficiency of workflow and keyholder services for a medical records start-up.

2010 - 2011
Reality66

Marketing & Support

Advise Principal, Lee Blue, in marketing and strategic business development for Reality66's eCommerce solution, Cart66, as well as serve as the director for customer support.

2000 - 2007

Campus Minister

Oversee all aspects of ministry and outreach to Georgia Southern University ('00-'03) and Virginia Commonwealth University ('03-'07). This included leadership development, event management, and teaching in large and small group settings.

Education

1996 - 1999
Georgia Southern University

Bachelors of Science in Public Relations

1998 - 2007
Reformed Theological Seminary

Masters of Divinity (unfinished)

After years of distance education, I attempted to finish this degree in person. The financial burden was too much for our family of 4. This degree remains unfinished.