Introducing our New Family Life Pastor, Brian Rayburn

Ventura Missionary Church is excited to announce that Brian Rayburn is joining our staff team as Family Life Pastor on August 16, 2021! Brian will lead the excellent team members already serving in our children and youth ministries.

Brian has spent the past twenty years creating environments where children, teens, and adults can experience God. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with his Masters in Theology, Brian has practiced family ministry in many contexts.

When asked what he is looking forward to in his new role, Brian’s response is enthusiastic, to say the least. His desire is to partner with parents and families in the spiritual development of their kids and teens. He believes it is extremely important to minister to the whole family. As their chief advocate on the staff team, he is excited about the opportunity to coach, encourage, and equip families in every season of their child’s faith journey. Brian is committed to keeping “one eye” on the family while working with the children and youth teams to plan strategies to effectively minister to the kids themselves.
 
Research shows that young adults are most likely to continue growing in their faith and remain in the church when they have had at least five spiritual mentors during their school age years. Brian says the most important mentors are parents, and that means that at least three other mentors are needed to establish and nurture healthy spiritual growth. Brian believes the church not only can be available for mentoring, but it can also equip parents to have relevant conversations as our culture steers and pulls our youth away from biblical truth. The church can also come alongside parents who are wounded or otherwise struggling so that they can be more fruitful in their efforts to disciple their children.  

Brian knows first-hand the value of spiritual mentoring because youth leaders shepherded him in meaningful ways and played a key role during critical moments of crisis in his own life. His experiences motivate him to invest in children, youth, and families.

Brian also looks forward to partnering with our school and preschool to invite students and families into the great story of Jesus in every area of their lives. He wants them to be able to discern and live out all that God is calling them to in their academic and spiritual pursuits.
 
Brian and his wife, Megan, have been married for thirteen wonderful years. The Rayburn’s have two children: their son Pax, who is two-years old, and their daughter Mac, who is seven-months old. In their spare time, they enjoy hiking, and traveling.

We’re grateful that Brian will be joining our mission to live and share the transforming love of Jesus in this next season of ministry.