Ronnie McBrayer was born and raised in the North Georgia Appalachians and claims he barely survived the fire-and-brimstone instruction of his hard shell Baptist-reared childhood. Yet, recognizing God’s sense of humor, Ronnie has spent his adulthood in Christian ministry, preaching in and protesting against, loving and leaving, running away from and returning to the church. The faith he is trying to keep isn't in organized religion, however. It is in Jesus.

In addition to the pastorate, Ronnie has been a chaplain, leader in social justice ministries, and a columnist. His post-Katrina relief work with Habitat for Humanity was featured by the CBS Evening News and the New York Times, and his nationally syndicated newspaper column “Keeping the Faith,” has a print/online circulation of more than two million readers.

Ronnie blogs at the e-community of beliefnet.com and is the author of multiple books including Leaving Religion, Following Jesus and The Jesus Tribe. Visit his website at ronniemcbrayer.net.