Team Huddle Spotlights feature members of the CMBA ministry team and introduce their area of work and the ways they can support the ministry of our Family of Churches.
Ryan Dupree
CMBA Volunteer, Internationals Pastor at FBC Columbia
ryandupree@fbccola.com
Ryan Dupree serves as the Internationals Pastor at First Baptist Columbia, and volunteers to connect members of the CMBA Family of Churches through ministries to the international community living throughout the Midlands. He is well-known in many ethnic group populations here from having served in his ministerial role for the last 17 years. Ryan is a great member of the CMBA Team Huddle as his heart for reaching the nations has led him to build intentional relationships, help map people groups living throughout South Carolina and connect churches in ministry to internationals.
“Growing up I had some international aunts and uncles as well as a friendship with an international exchange teacher living next door. God gave me a passion for a group of people that He holds very dear as expressed in Scripture - the immigrant. I have seen Columbia’s international community grow and represent many countries from around the world,” Ryan explains.
He says his missions calling and passion grew deeper through the international ministry of his home church, Shandon Baptist. Today he remains connected to a variety of international neighbors, students, teachers, refugees and business owners. He serves as a local contact and helps link them to each other and partners in the community for different types of assistance.
“I make it my mission at First Columbia to not only help Internationals assimilate while they are here, but to show them the love of Christ through serving them and building relationships with them. I want them to know that we are their family here. If one of our great CMBA churches are interested in engaging with their international neighbors, I would like to help them in any way to identify certain groups in town that they can engage,” Ryan says.
His love for different people groups drives Ryan to meet new immigrants and learn about their culture and language. He participates in cultural events, such as one the Iranian Student Association hosts with other local Iranians to celebrate Nowuz, the Persian New Year. Ryan says participating in their tradition of jumping over fires was “an experience I will not forget. Another is with our Indian community for the annual celebration of India’s independence where we learn all about India’s journey to freedom and enjoy the dances and fashion shows.”
First Baptist Columbia hosts many activities for internationals including day trips to the beach, hiking, canoeing, karaoke nights and soccer watch parties. Ryan invites interested CMBA individuals and churches to join them for upcoming fall 2021 events that will include a dinner for new international teachers, a picnic and hike, a USC men’s soccer game and a Thanksgiving meal.
Ryan and Robbie McAlister, another member of the CMBA Team Huddle, team up on many issues related to internationals and immigration with a deep commitment to Christian ministry among various people groups. They each serve both with CMBA and the South Carolina Baptist Convention.
Ryan is married to Mary, a native of Peru, and they have three children. To contact Ryan about events or additional information about international ministries, call him at 803.343.8571 or email at ryandupree@fbccola.com.
Stay up to date on CMBA news about international ministries, podcasts and other communications resources through the CMBA website at www.columbiametro.org and follow “Columbia Metro Baptist Association” on Facebook.