June 11th, 2025
by Office Athens First Methodist Church
by Office Athens First Methodist Church
Dear Congregation,
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) would like to begin by expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Mac for his leadership over the past year. In a time marked by uncertainty, Mac brought a calming presence and a spirit of unity that greatly strengthened our congregation. His willingness to step into leadership and the love he has shown our Church family has not gone unnoticed. Mac, we love you and thank you sincerely, and we hope you will always consider Athens First Methodist your home.
Following the end of Kenny Baskin’s contract, the SPRC has been prayerfully and diligently working to identify our next Senior Pastor in accordance with our adopted bylaws. Over the past year, we have conducted interviews with five candidates for both interim and full-time roles, held discussions with search firms, and met with leaders from the Global Methodist Church to better understand what support would be available should we choose to affiliate with the GMC.
Given that Mac’s current contract concludes on August 15, and with our Church still discerning between affiliation and independence, the committee agreed it was time to move forward in our search.
After extensive prayer, thoughtful discussion, and many late-night meetings, the SPRC presented a recommendation to the Administrative Board to approve the hire of John Ryberg as Senior Pastor of Athens First Methodist Church. This recommendation was made contingent upon his formal disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church.
We are pleased to share that this recommendation was unanimously approved by the 48 voting members of the Administrative Board during the meeting held on June 3rd.
John’s first Sunday in the pulpit will be June 22nd, and we look forward to the next chapter in the life of our church under his leadership.
About John Ryberg:
John and his wife, Beth, live in Athens. They have one daughter, Jordan, who lives in Huntsville. He is a native of Athens and a 1980 graduate of Athens High School. He briefly attended Birmingham-Southern College before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, where he was meritoriously promoted twice and honorably discharged in 1986.
Following his military service, John pursued a career in the hospitality industry, working with Hyatt Hotels in various leadership capacities leading staffs amassing 120 and later managing West End Grill in Huntsville with his wife, Beth. It was during this time that John experienced a life-changing spiritual awakening during Emmaus Walk #174 at Camp Sumatanga where he committed his life to Jesus. This led him and Beth to discern a call to pastoral ministry.
John’s vocational journey in ministry began at Asbury United Methodist Church, where he served as Church Business Administrator (1999–2004) while completing his undergraduate degree at Athens State University. He went on to earn a Master of Divinity with a certificate of doctoral studies from Asbury Theological Seminary.
From 2003 to 2015, John served as Associate Pastor at Asbury UMC, where he led a wide range of ministries, including missions, small groups, men’s ministry, Stephen Ministry, youth, and children’s programs. In 2015, he answered the call to serve as Pastor and Church Planter at The Table UMC, developing a network of house churches in North Alabama. After retiring from the UMC in December 2024, John joined Nations of Coaches and currently serves as the Character Coach for the UAH Men’s Basketball Team.
We believe John’s character, spiritual maturity, leadership experience, and deep ties to our community uniquely position him to shepherd our Church in this pivotal season.
With gratitude and in service,
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee
Athens First Methodist Church
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) would like to begin by expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Mac for his leadership over the past year. In a time marked by uncertainty, Mac brought a calming presence and a spirit of unity that greatly strengthened our congregation. His willingness to step into leadership and the love he has shown our Church family has not gone unnoticed. Mac, we love you and thank you sincerely, and we hope you will always consider Athens First Methodist your home.
Following the end of Kenny Baskin’s contract, the SPRC has been prayerfully and diligently working to identify our next Senior Pastor in accordance with our adopted bylaws. Over the past year, we have conducted interviews with five candidates for both interim and full-time roles, held discussions with search firms, and met with leaders from the Global Methodist Church to better understand what support would be available should we choose to affiliate with the GMC.
Given that Mac’s current contract concludes on August 15, and with our Church still discerning between affiliation and independence, the committee agreed it was time to move forward in our search.
After extensive prayer, thoughtful discussion, and many late-night meetings, the SPRC presented a recommendation to the Administrative Board to approve the hire of John Ryberg as Senior Pastor of Athens First Methodist Church. This recommendation was made contingent upon his formal disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church.
We are pleased to share that this recommendation was unanimously approved by the 48 voting members of the Administrative Board during the meeting held on June 3rd.
John’s first Sunday in the pulpit will be June 22nd, and we look forward to the next chapter in the life of our church under his leadership.
About John Ryberg:
John and his wife, Beth, live in Athens. They have one daughter, Jordan, who lives in Huntsville. He is a native of Athens and a 1980 graduate of Athens High School. He briefly attended Birmingham-Southern College before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, where he was meritoriously promoted twice and honorably discharged in 1986.
Following his military service, John pursued a career in the hospitality industry, working with Hyatt Hotels in various leadership capacities leading staffs amassing 120 and later managing West End Grill in Huntsville with his wife, Beth. It was during this time that John experienced a life-changing spiritual awakening during Emmaus Walk #174 at Camp Sumatanga where he committed his life to Jesus. This led him and Beth to discern a call to pastoral ministry.
John’s vocational journey in ministry began at Asbury United Methodist Church, where he served as Church Business Administrator (1999–2004) while completing his undergraduate degree at Athens State University. He went on to earn a Master of Divinity with a certificate of doctoral studies from Asbury Theological Seminary.
From 2003 to 2015, John served as Associate Pastor at Asbury UMC, where he led a wide range of ministries, including missions, small groups, men’s ministry, Stephen Ministry, youth, and children’s programs. In 2015, he answered the call to serve as Pastor and Church Planter at The Table UMC, developing a network of house churches in North Alabama. After retiring from the UMC in December 2024, John joined Nations of Coaches and currently serves as the Character Coach for the UAH Men’s Basketball Team.
We believe John’s character, spiritual maturity, leadership experience, and deep ties to our community uniquely position him to shepherd our Church in this pivotal season.
With gratitude and in service,
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee
Athens First Methodist Church
Office Athens First Methodist Church
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