About

Ryan serves as a pastor at Grace Bible Church. His ministry ranges from preaching, teaching, and writing, to listening, being present, and walking with others through some of life’s most difficult experiences.

He lives with his wife and children in Escondido, California.

photograph of Ryan Wentzel

Ryan serves as a pastor at Grace Bible Church. His ministry ranges from preaching, teaching, and writing, to listening, being present, and walking with others through some of life’s most difficult experiences.

He lives with his wife and children in Escondido, California.

Songs of Lament and Hope

A playlist for those who are grieving, hurting, or suffering. It makes space for both lament and hope in our faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.

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Recent Podcast Episodes

A painting by Carl Ernst Morgenstern titled 'Landscape with a lake in the mountains' (1920)

The God Who Sings Over You

If you ask a pastor or theologian to tell you about the God of the Bible, they will probably rattle off a string of big words like omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent. Those words are fine; they tell us true things about God. But they’re as dull as dishwater. If you ask an ancient Hebrew prophet the same thing, you will receive a much different answer.

Detail from Fall Begins by Alma Thomas, 1976.  Smithsonian American Art Museum, bequest of the artist.

Where is the God of Justice?

The whole of the Christian life is a season of waiting. We’re waiting for Jesus Christ — our Savior and King — to come again and set everything right. Waiting is difficult. It can eat away at your hope and faith. The Church has been waiting for nearly 2,000 years for Jesus to return, and the longer we wait, the greater the temptation to let go of hope. How can we keep hope alive while we wait?

Painting by Gardner Symons titled 'Sunny Slopes'

How (Not) to Get Even

Revenge is off-limits for a Christ-follower because it’s not the way of Jesus. But the desire to get even is so powerful. How do you resist it?

Painting by William James Glackens titled 'Street Cleaners, Washington Square' (ca. 1910)

David’s Desperation

David learned important lessons about the life of faith while on the run from Saul. We need to learn those lessons too.

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