Our Guest Minister for Sunday, July 23, is Rev. Josh Ruckel, Chaplain at Southern Ohio Correctional Facility (SOCF), in Lucasville, Ohio.
He grew up in southeast Ohio, playing multiple sports, and making an annual vacation trip to Holden Beach; and has been coming to Holden Beach for over 30 years.
He served in the US Air Force Reserves for six years.
Rev. Ruckel is an ordained Baptist and received his Clinical Pastoral Education through the Institute of Clinical Pastoral Training in Florida. He has been employed by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for over 14 years. He has received several awards during that time and has been the guest speaker and keynote speaker of several different ceremonies and functions. As Chaplain at SOCF, he is the overseer of the religious department and all religious services; and preaches to the inmate population on Sundays.
He is married to his junior high sweetheart, Bethany, and they have identical twin daughters, Rowan and Reese, and a son, River.
Rev. Ruckel states he and Bethany spend a great deal of time supporting their children in sports, assisting in the local school and thinking about Holden Beach.