Forward in Faith | Fall 2024
In the summer of 2003, Ryan Gibadlo was a college student with friends passionate about becoming counselors at Camp All-American. Ryan had little interest in faith, but he decided he’d apply anyway. During the interview, the camp director asked, “You do know this is a Christian camp, right?” In the end, Ryan didn’t get the job, but God had other plans.
Two weeks later, Ryan received an unexpected call. The camp director said, “Ryan, I know what we discussed, but God keeps placing you on my heart. I believe He wants me to hire you.” Although Ryan wouldn’t be leading campers, he was required to attend all the counselor training sessions. It was in those sessions that Ryan heard the gospel and committed his life to Christ.
That summer and the years that followed were transformative. At Perimeter, Ryan matured, became equipped to lead, and learned to step out boldly in faith. He eventually joined Perimeter’s junior high staff and later became an educator. Ryan reflects, “Looking back, it’s clear. Even when I didn’t recognize it as 20-year-old kid, God had a purpose and plan for my life.”
Today Ryan serves as Executive Director of ATLAS Ministry, a Christian nonprofit whose mission is to equip children and their families to live as God intended and fulfill their God-given purpose. This small organization has a big, bold vision to transform the community of Greensboro, Georgia (the hometown of Lake Oconee) from the inside out through the steady deployment of Christ-centered young adults.
“Our goal is to raise up competent and confident young leaders in Greensboro who understand that God created them with intentionality and purpose. If everyone embraced that truth, our community and society would look completely different,” said Ryan.
