Ezra Richardson: Ambassador for Christ

Ezra was the first person at Spurgeon College that was so excited to get a Ratio Christi chapter started. He helped spearhead the chapter and has served as student president for the past two years. He is an excellent leader and organizer. He’s always leading the officer meetings with on-purpose team-leadership development. He’s the one who comes and initiates the officer meetings and goes through SWOT with his fellow officers. He’s also the one who makes sure the culture of the RC meetings centers around the vision and mission of Ratio Christi – We’re building ambassadors for Christ – which is EXACTLY what this Legatus Christi award is about. If anyone deserves it – it’s Ezra.

When did you come to Christ as Lord and Savior, and how did that come about?

I came to know Christ when I was seven years old at my mom’s Church in Marysville Washington. My faith was simple then. I knew I needed Jesus to rescue me from hell. I knew it was a legitimate change because I loved to share my faith with my local friends in Central Asia. From then it has been learning to put off sin and put on Christ more and more.

In your high school church youth group, how much did you learn about the Christian faith and reasons to believe?

Though I only went to a high school youth group for the last year and a half of high school, they did not talk about reasons to believe in Christ. It was mostly concerned with living consistent to the faith we confess to have (walk the talk type language). In terms of apologetics, there was none taught.

How did you become interested in apologetics, and how did you get involved with Ratio Christi?

I became interested in apologetics when I took my philosophy class at Alaska Bible College. In this class I chose to present on the problem of evil. As I studied, I sought to answer the Atheist’s question of how the existence of God is consistent with the existence of evil and suffering. At this point my curiosity on how to give a response to these tough topics grew substantially. Soon after I was invited to join the RC club in Alaska, and I was all in! In that club we went through Frank Turek’s book I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist which was instrumental in shaping my knowledge of Christianity. I never knew that my faith was so sound!

What impact has the Ratio Christi ministry had on your walk with God and your personal ministry?

Ratio Christi has radically changed the way I approach talking to a non-believer. Instead of fumbling through words and getting irritated when I am not sure what to say, I have learned to sit back, ask more questions, and let the conversation be natural. It has taught me to navigate difficult topics by asking pointed questions and a loving and yet challenging way. Through questions I develop a map on where I want the conversation to end. Not only this, but RC has given me great confidence in the faith. I know better than ever before that Jesus did rise again and there is proof for it! Similarly, it has changed how I read the Bible. I find so many verses that show apologetics being used in and by the early church. Lastly, it has given me a zeal to equip others to be able to share as I have learned so far. Some of my most memorable times at RC is seeing new students see the value of apologetics.

What is this RC chapter like?

Our chapter is unique. Unlike most chapters, we are not located on a secular campus. This provides both pros and cons. The pros are that we can invite Christian speakers to come and equip the students. We also can practice tactics in conversations in a much more concentrated fashion. It is also a safe place for believers to test their faith. The cons are that it takes more effort to go out and share. Instead of applying it in the classroom the next day, we have to plan evangelism outings. While this is good, it is less natural.

What were some of your favorite areas of involvement with your local RC chapter?

I love our chapter for multiple reasons. First, is because we love to test our faith through conversations in the “flux capacitor.” In the flux capacitor you pause, rewind, and restart the conversation at points where you can better answer and navigate through topics and worldviews. This serves to help us test and use what we learn each week. Second, we actively encourage students to study other worldviews. This is done through our worldview markets where students pose as another religion against their friends so that they are equipped when the time comes to actually share it in the world. Finally, I love the chapter because we get opportunities to defend and share about the resurrected Jesus at secular campuses like UMKC. What more could a club accomplish?!

What does the Legatus Christi award mean to you?

It is encouraging to know that several years of investment in this chapter have been noticed. Of course, our joy is only in Christ, but it is encouraging all the same. It also makes me rejoice in the fact that I have learned so much and come so far in the faith. Just 3 years ago I could barely talk through a conversation. Now, I am helping others to do so. I see this award as a testament of God’s work through me to share about the resurrected Jesus! As I think I heard Geisler once say, “He doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.”

How do you envision taking the apologetics you have learned through Ratio Christi into your future endeavors?

I think the basic skills learned at RC can be used anywhere. For me, I know I will use them in the business world to ask better questions, which will earn a reputation for being both caring and analytical. My hope is to enter business and use that as an opportunity to share the faith. I am sure I will never stop using tactics with any and every unbeliever I meet.

What are your short and long-term career/ministry/mission plans?

Short term plans are to work at MBTS as an AR Specialist for a few more years to develop my skills in financial accounting. After that I have thought about starting my own business, joining one overseas, or whatever else God has in mind.

Would you consider coming back to work with your RC chapter, starting one at another school, or working with RC in any other capacity?

It is possible down the road I could see myself starting a chapter at a secular campus, but I don’t sense that is my direction at the moment. My heart is to be in a place where I can both develop young believers as well as lead new ones to the faith.

What would you say to other students who might be considering getting involved in Ratio Christi, whether they be skeptics, seekers, or believers?

Whether you know Christianity or not, Ratio Christi is the place to test your beliefs. It is like putting your beliefs to the fire to see if they are true. If they are, all the other things will melt away and it will shine like gold. If not, you need to be ready to change. If you are a believer, Ratio Christi will help you know how to share your faith. If you want questions answered, joining an RC club is the place to start!

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