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 Check
out what students are saying about Runks on
Runks
is a 6'6", red-headed, A.D.H.D. kid magnet whose message has the
humor of a stand-up comedian and the depth of a theologian. Runks
is a master at capturing students' attention using hilarious stories to
illustrate biblical truth with clarity, authority, and depth.
A sex abuse
survivor, Runks has an awesome testimony of the power
of God in desperate situations. His message of hope and freedom brings
hope to the hurting and the hopeless. Runks' powerful
message will inspire your students as well as your adults to trust in,
live in, and walk in the life giving power Jesus.
Runks
grew up in Midland, Texas and graduated from McMurry University in Abilene,
Texas. After receiving his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary, he served as a Youth Minister for 7 years
and in January of 1998 began traveling the country communicating the gospel
to teenagers, college students and adults. He currently lives in Levelland,
Texas with his wife, Joanna, and children, Elli and Nick.
| Check
out what people are saying about Runks: |
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"Runks
has challenged and energized our ministry on a number of occasions
and I have no doubt that he would do the same for yours"
Chris Ryan - Student Pastor
Fellowship of the Woodlands ·
The Woodlands, Texas |
"Runks
is an energetic speaker that knows how to captivate his audience.
The thing I especially love about Runks is that when
speaking to youth, he gets on their level. He knows how to relate
to them, with making the kids laugh in one minute and then right back
to a serious point that impacts a students life in the next. I love
working with him and I know that the students love hearing him speak
as much as they love hanging out with him in the down times."
Jeff Johnson ·
Worship Leader
Jeff Johnson Ministries |
 |
"Everything about Runks
communicates with teenagers, his words, his experiences, his attire,
everything. Runks is essentially the message. “Force
of nature” accurately describes his presence. The “force”
you students will have to reckon with is the Power of God moving in
this man’s life. Runks has been a part of every
record breaking event that I have hosted as a Student Minister. If
there is way to guarantee your event will be successful, my advice
is to book the man known as Runks.
Keith Warren ·
Student Minister
North Side Baptist Church ·
Weatherford, TX |
| "Genuine
and easy to work with, Runks speaks straight to
the heart of students with love to clearly communicate God's message."
Dr. Terry M. McIlvain ·
Director of Youth Ministry
Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists
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"Runks
brought the Word of God to our students in a real and
relevant way. He is unique in every sense of the word and
God uses his uniqueness to captivate people of all ages.
Our students continue to quote Runks in casual
conversations. God used him to motivate our leaders and to
introduce our lost to Christ."
Randy Wade ·
Student Pastor
First Baptist Church ·
Sunnyvale, TX |
"Runks
recently spoke at our DiscipleNow and blew our students away with
energy, brutal honesty, humor, and very sharp Biblical exegesis. He
will keep your students on their toes and hit them hard with the Word
of God. We had salvations, rededications, kids confessing hard stuff
to their parents, and many more exciting things happen. I am so thankful
that Runks allowed God to work through him this weekend."
Matt Cagle ·
Student Pastor
First Baptist Church · Cleburne,
Texas
|
|
"When booking
a speaker for your group, you want to be certain of a number of things.
Will this person connect with my students? Will this person be authentic
in front of them on stage and with them off stage? Will this person
uphold the integrity of God's Word? Runks does all
of that and more. Your students will want to know when he's coming
back!"
Clay Hopkins ·
Student Pastor
First Baptist Church ·
Midlothian, Texas |
"Runks
was our speaker for our youth evangelism event this summer called
SONFEST. We had over 900 in attendance and Runks
did and excellent job of speaking to the hearts of the youth and they
responded to him well. He really knows how to speak to today's youth
and I highly recommend him. I will use him again."
Mark Keith ·
Evangelism Consultant
Utah/Idaho Southern Baptist Convention |
|
"Runks
can truly relate to students of this generation. He is incredibly
gifted in communicating Biblical principles in a unique way. He brings
illustrations from his own life, delivers them with humor, bases everything
in God's Word and then relies on God for the results. I have heard
Runks speak at our camps and other venues and time
and time again, I have seen students moved to accept Christ and challenged
to live for Him. There is no doubt that God's favor is upon Runks."
Dr. Rod Masteller ·
Senior Pastor
Summer Grove Baptist Church ·
Shreveport, LA |
|
"Runks
is a 6’6”, red-headed, A.D.H.D. kid magnet whose message
has the humor of a stand-up comedian and the depth of a theologian."
Paul Mints · Authentic
Life Student Ministries
Summer Grove Baptist Church ·
Shreveport, Louisiana
|
| |
"Runks
had a transparent past to transform lives."
Greg Savage, Pastor
First Southern Baptist Church ·
Dodge City, KS |
"Great
speaker...in your face that genuinely reaches students."
Richard Deimund ·
Pastor
First Baptist Church · Cimarron,
KS |
|
"A.D.H.D.
is not a handicap anymore...it's the power of God at work!"
Troy Coon ·
Youth Pastor
First Baptist Church · Nickerson,
KS |
"High
energy, kept my students attention focused on God!"
Grayson Spomer ·
Youth Leader
Bethel Baptist Church · Lincoln,
NE |
| |
"I
heard Runks at our annual fall retreat and it was
very clear that he was our guy for our spring outreach. We had hundreds
of kids come to hear the gospel and Runks had them all rolling in
laughter, only to switch gears and present the truth of the gospel
as clear and understandable as I have heard in a while. Our kids
loved him and they were proud to bring their "unchurched"
friends to hear his message. God used Runks to
bring about life change in many, many students! Our kids are already
asking about when we can have him come again."
Jake Vanada | Woodcrest Student Ministry
· Twin Cities,
Minnesota
|
|
"Runks related incredibly well with our students
at Falls Creek. His messages were well prepared, well delivered
and well received. Our students connected with him immediately."
James Lankford ·
Student Ministry and Evangelism Specialist
Falls Creek Program Director ·
Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma
|
|
Runks
is stoked about God’s Word and awesome at relating it to students.
Runks is a great big kid in one minute and revealing
the truth of God’s power the next. Runks
is the real deal for speaking with students because he doesn’t
sugar coat scripture – he hits students where they are and
allows God to change their lives in a huge way. For the last couple
of years he’s done our camp called Flight Week and our students
have wanted him back every year. If you want someone to challenge
your students to step up their relationship with Christ –
Runks is the best bet.
Kent Wells
· Student Minister |
Great Hills Baptist Church
· Austin, Texas |
|
"Runks did a great job at our retreats, mixing
humorous stories with a solid Biblical foundation to bring a powerful
message to our Students.”
James Rock ·
Program Director | Trout Lake Camp ·
Pine River, Minnesota
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"Runks
has been one of the premier youth communicators I have had the opportunity
to bring into my church, he is insightful, he crosses all cultural
barriers. He has a unique ability to push students to their highest
potential and spark a flame of change within their life. Runks
is truly being used to win a generation to Christ."
Derek Osburn ·
Student Pastor | Central Baptist Church ·
Clovis, New Mexico |
Runks is one of the most
gifted communicators I have ever heard. His use of
humor along with his depth is so hard to find. I will continue to work
with
Runks for years to come!
Tim Martin ·
Minister of Students | First Baptist East ·
Lawton, Oklahoma
|
"In
a word Runks is awesome! There is a depth to his messages
I've not heard anywhere else. He spends time hangin out with kids,
not just a personality on stage... and they love him. He's like
a modern day John the Baptist."
Paul Mints ·
Authentic Life Student Ministries
Summer Grove Baptist Church ·
Shreveport, Louisiana |
"Runks! My students
love him. They literally beg me to have him speak at
every event. He is so passionate about JESUS & he clearly communicates
God's
TRUTH to all students at all levels of their walk. His personal antedotes
are
just the tip of the iceberg as he shows the students the relevance of
God's
word to their lives. He is continually challenging them to be more than
they ever thought they could be in Christ."
Chris Little
· Student Pastor |
Bear Valley Church ·
Lakewood, Colorado
|
"Runks
is an incredibly gifted, intense, and hilarious communicator who
is absolutely real and authentic. He has spoken to our students
many times, and every time he shares an awesome, inspiring, and
challenging message that speaks directly to where they are at. Runks
has an uncanny ability to share personal life stories (usually ones
that will make you roll over with laughter), and then in an incredible
way relate them to the message he is bringing. Runks is a
genuine man of God, who is called to speak to students, and we love
him."
Brian Swiggart ·
Minister of Students | Immanuel Baptist Church ·
Odessa, Texas |
"Runks has an incredible
gift of communication. Our students have continually been challenged by
God through Runks. In ministry, there are plenty of 'speakers'
out there that can come and tickle your ears, but I would rather have
a 'minister' come and challenge my students. Runks is a Minister.
The greatest thing that Runks brings is a passion for the Word
and that is the type of person I want in front of our students."
Tracy J. Ward | Trinity Baptist Church
· Amarillo, Texas
|
"Runks
meets the students where they're at. It's not some 'fancy, shmancy'
thing...it's real. His word is right on the money. Every student
needs to hear the truth he's preaching. He is truly walking in God's
anointing. 53 students saved in four days and hundreds of others
changed and encouraged! That's God."
Britt Simms | First United Methodist
Church · Lamesa,
Texas |
"Runks
is awesome! I have never seen anyone captivate a group of students the
way Runks does. He speaks boldly and from his heart. He is extremely
relatable but does not compromise the Word Of God. I know that God is
changing lives through InFocus Ministries. I have had the pleasure of
working with Runks on many occasions and the students still ask,
"When is Runks coming back?" I highly recommend Runks,
not only because he is a dear friend, but because he's making a difference."
Clay Walker | First United Methodist Church
· Lufkin, Texas
|
"Being
Real is Runks' calling. Runks is able to weave biblical
text with real life to target the hearts of students. He speaks
truth as truth should be spoken."
Clinton Lowin | Northside Baptist
Church · Corsicana,
Texas |
"Runks is one
guy who delivers a very clear message that students need to hear. I have
seen more kids make real life changing decisions through their contact
with Runks because of his style and honesty with them."
Chris Gary ·
Minister of Students | First Baptist Church ·
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
|
"I have known
Runks for several years through Super Summer, camps, retreats
and just as a friend. The thing that I've always loved about Runks
and the one thing that my students truly love is his genuineness.
With Runks WYSIWYG (What You See is What You Get)! His life
is real, his message is real and from his heart, his walk is real
and his humor is real... strange! He connects with students on their
level with humor, energy and the truth of God's word."
Mike Cariker ·
Minister of Students | First Baptist Church ·
Richmond, Texas |
"Runks is one
of the most moving, energetic, and powerful communicators of our time"
Ed Lowe ·
Minister of Students | Retta Baptist Church Burleson, Texas
|
"Runks
came up here to the "Great Northwest" and just Tore-It-Up
for Jesus!! Our teenagers are still talking about it. If you want
to bring in someone who will be straight forward and "REAL"
with the Gospel then Runks is the man for you!"
David Pomerinke ·
Director of Youth and Education | Silver Creek Fellowship ·
Silverton, Oregon |
"This freaky looking
dude can hold students attention and God is using him to reach students
for His kingdom. If you have the opportunity to use Runks, DO IT!"
Bill Ingram ·
Youth Pastor | Mississippi Avenue Baptist Church ·
Aurora, Colorado
|
"One
of Runks' strengths is the one on one relationship time that
he spends with people before he even gets up to speak. The bonds
that Runks builds really draw people to identify with his own life
experiences as he effectively points people toward a living personal
relationship with Jesus Christ. Runks has assisted our ministry
in cultivating many life changing decisions."
Josh McClary ·
Minister of Students & Education | Immanuel Baptist ·
San Angelo, Texas |
"Runks is a
great communicator and a better person. My kids really responded to his
honest and direct approach. "
Rick Cassels
| East Texas Baptist University
|
"Runks
is one of the most influential speakers I know. With a unique appearance
and extreme personality, he is able to capture student's attention
with ease. Armed with the sword and a big heart, Runks delivers
the truth with passion and purpose."
Jason Hudson ·
Worship Leader | Jason Hudson Praise Ministries |
Runks is one of the
most passionate people I know. He exhibits his genuine passion for Christ
each time he preaches to today's young people. Runks has made a
major impact in my life. He will challenge your students to passionately
love Jesus."
Student | Hardin-Simmons University
|
"God
is using Runks in a powerful, new way that is impacting the
lives of students everywhere. Students are looking for someone real
and transparent and Runks definitely connects with this generation.
Use him, God does!
Joel Engle ·
Worship Leader | Joel Engle Praise Ministries |
"I believe Runks
has a special gift for speaking God's Word to teenagers. You will not
find a young man more pumped for Jesus! I promise you - he will impact
the lives of your students."
Danny Dawdy ·
Executive Director | Highland Lakes Baptist Encampment
|
"Relevance.
That's the operative word here. Runks has the knack when
it comes to relating Christ to this generation."
Mike Martindale ·
Minister of Students | Bacon Heights Baptist Church ·
Lubbock, Texas |
"Runks is a
unique and creative servant of the Lord. His commitment to evangelism
is evident in his life style,and in his message. His experience in the
ministry, his energy in pursuing new avenues of addressing spiritual needs,
and his love for people show Runks genuine compassion. I believe
God has tremendous things in store for Runks as he gives himself
to new opportunities for sharing the true message of hope and salvation.
"
Chuck Flowers ·
Youth Evangelism Consultant | BGCT
|
"Runks'
in your face, I could care less what you think of me attitude is
exactly what we need to hear!"
Student | Groesbeck
[Texas] High School |
"I have had the opportunity
to work with Runks for 6 years when he worked at our church as
minister to students. I have seen his unique gifts in ministry help win
young people to Christ and help disciple them in the faith. I believe
his dynamic approach would serve any church well as they try to reach
out to the young people of today."
Steve Vernon, D.Min. ·
Pastor | First Baptist Church ·
Levelland, Texas
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