When the Rev. Ryon Sander accepted a position at Refuge Christian Church as interim pastor, he saw it as an opportunity to create new connections and help others within the growing Eudora community.
Sander made his first appearance Sunday after agreeing to an open-ended commitment to act as interim pastor while the church’s management team searches for a new, permanent pastor.
Refuge Christian Church founder the Rev. Jeremiah Holcomb preached his last sermon last month after accepting another pastoral position at a church in West Virginia. Sander plans to apply for the permanent position.
Sander said he has always had an interest in new churches because of their lack of established traditions, which allows him to think outside of the box. Refuge Christian Church was established seven years ago.
Sander said he hopes to accomplish many things as interim pastor.
“I want to build up the confidence of the community in teaching them how to minister to each other,” Sander said. “I want people to just be open about helping each other. If you see something you can do, just do it. It helps the community.”
Sander has over 23 years of experience, including youth ministering, senior ministering and outreach ministering. Sander, who lives in Tonganoxie, recently took a two-and-a-half year sabbatical, but returned to work at Refuge Christian Church.
Sander said his experience in a wide variety of preaching styles helps him connect more with the community, and it is reflected in his preaching style.
“I think I can identify with people from a lot of different backgrounds,” Sander said. “I like to preach straight from the Bible and say things that may challenge somebody who’s been in the church for 50 years, but can also be understood by a fourth grader.”
Sander originally wanted to become a music teacher, but realized he could combine his two passions — ministering and music — into one profession. Sander will sing and play guitar during services.
Elmer Fuller, who has served on the church’s management team for a year and was a part of Sander’s hiring process, said Sander was chosen because he perfectly embodies a popular phrase within the church: “If you see a need, meet it.”
“Ryon is an encourager,” Fuller said. “He has a special interest in caring for people within the community. After COVID and everything else, encouragement and compassion is what we need.”
Refuge Christian Church’s management team estimated the search for a permanent pastor will last at a minimum two to four months. The team reached out to members of the church to receive feedback on what they are looking for in a pastor.
In an informal, verbal survey, the management team compiled a list of traits that churchgoers were looking for, including people skills, someone who quotes the Bible, takes a stand on controversial scriptural issues, future-oriented and willing to delegate and involve others, to name a few.
Brian Fogo, who has served on the management team for eight years, said this period will be utilized as a revitalization of the church.
“We are in a period of rebuilding and refocusing,” Fogo said. “We want to build on the strengths that already exist within the church and continue to reach out to the Eudora community and surrounding areas to impact people’s lives with the Gospel.”
Reach reporter Jenna Barackman at [email protected].
