The sugar-white beaches of the Florida Panhandle are the result of erosion, the tops of the Appalachian Mountains having washed down to the sea. The same could describe Ronnie McBrayer. Before making his home along the Gulf of Mexico almost two decades ago, Ronnie was a life-long Georgian – born, raised, and shaped in the Appalachian foothills. Today, his influence extends well beyond the Florida coast – and Appalachia.

As the author of multiple books, a spirited speaker, and the writer of the former nationally syndicated column, “Keeping the Faith,” Ronnie McBrayer has reached tens of thousands with his message of grace and God’s unconditional love. For three decades Ronnie has led faith communities, directed non-profits, worked as a hospital chaplain, and provided spiritual direction. He is a certified Enneagram Teacher; a graduate of the Fanning School of the University of Georgia; and has studied Theology (M.Th) and Post-Christianity Culture (D.Min), with post-doctoral studied in End of Life Ethics.

He the founder of A Simple Faith Church in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; ReNew of Northwest Florida; and The Rusty Goat Coastal Farm and Retreat. Ronnie especially connects with those who are recovering from unhealthy religion, those who are reconstructing or integrating their changing faith, and those who have more questions than answers. Ronnie believes that love is the end of all things, “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness” – especially the spiritual journey – and those who feel exiled from faith can find a way home – even if that home is somewhere they have never been before.

Ronnie continues to live the small-town life in the Florida Panhandle, preaching regularly at his home congregation and other locations by invitation, making music when he can (as a vocalist and guitarist), and working to launch that stubborn Rusty Goat. He and his wife Cindy have three adult sons.