Life It
Resume:
Personal Reference for Ryan Reed
written by Nathan Stucky
Doctoral Candidate
Princeton Theological Seminary
******.******@*****.***
To Whom It May Concern:
It is my great honor and privilege to recommend Ryan Reed for a position in ministry on behalf
of youth, young adults and/or their families. I have known Ryan for more than four years as we have
journeyed together as seminary students, and I would describe Ryan s overall character with the phrase
journey of integrity. Ryan has experienced a significant amount of hardship in his life, including the
divorce of his parents and a subsequently absent father. Ryan has shared with me the journey of
digging into some of those hardships, and I commend Ryan for courageously and faithfully doing the
work that many people choose to avoid. (Toward the end of his college career, Ryan initiated contact
with his father with a goal of reconciliation.) Of course, this journey would not be possible apart from
Ryan s profound faith in Jesus Christ and his connection to the community of faith. As I have grown to
know Ryan, it has become increasingly clear to me that he intentionally surrounds himself with mentors
and friends whom he gives authority to speak into his life. I consider it a privilege to be such a friend,
and I have much to learn from Ryan s example in this regard. In brief, Ryan knows the joys and the
challenges of life and knows how to reflect theologically on life s different experiences and integrate
them into his overall personhood.
Ryan is fun loving, perceptive, extraordinarily intelligent, and in possession of an exceptionally
pastoral and affirming spirit. I could write at length about the positive ways Ryan has journeyed with me
and my family during times of great challenge and times of great joy. Ryan is a gifted listener; he knows
how to ask profound questions; and he knows how to speak encouragingly, respectfully, and deeply into
the lives of others. I cannot speak highly enough of Ryan s pastoral giftedness. He is easy to be around,
a joy to work with, and a true friend.
Ryan possesses extraordinary life experience and God given gifting for serving as a role model to
young people who know the joys and challenges of life. Ryan has experience working with young people
from a variety of backgrounds, and he is equally comfortable and capable with all from under served,
under privileged urban youth to affluent suburbanites. As a parent of three young children, I
wholeheartedly commend Ryan as a role model.
One final outstanding characteristic of Ryan s is his appetite for learning, and his ability to learn
a great deal in a short amount of time. I have worked on class projects with Ryan and witnessed
firsthand his ability to encounter new information, synthesize it with previous knowledge, and
subsequently offer creative contributions to the task at hand. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Please contact me if you have any questions about my recommendation.
Sincerely,
Nate Stucky
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