Bio
Jeremy grew up in Cleveland Ohio in a Hungarian Reformed Church. Though his mother and stepfather were Christians he was not raised with in the American Christian culture. He watched as his mother struggled to reach kids for Christ in a church that was not supportive to her ministry. Though he believed his mother had faith, Jeremy did not share it. He was a self proclaimed Christian-Agnostic until his conversion when he was eighteen. He then tried relentlessly to find acceptance amongst the Christian community with out much success. His lack of knowledge of the Church Culture left him feeling alienated and disillusioned. Though hurting he felt a calling to ministry and found it first as a camp counselor at the Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp, then as part of a campus homeless ministry at Eastern University. He then would go through a series of years of ups and downs in the music business in his early twenties. In 2000 Jeremy had a spiritual experience with God that he describes as his “Great Awakening”. Shortly after this experience, he would meet his wife Hannah and begin his life in full time ministry with Revolution Philly and eventually moving to Atlanta GA to work along side Jay Bakker as a pastor with Revolution Atlanta. While with Revolution. along with pastoral duties he became a very successful concert promoter working with the biggest bands in the secular and Christian underground. After three years with Revolution, Hannah and Jeremy returned to Philadelphia worn out and feeling disenfranchised. They would stay out of ministry for about three years during which time Jeremy co-founded the video company Floating Boy Media. In 2005 he felt the call back to ministry and was offered a position with the subculture outreach Hope For The Rejected as director of their band outreach and Hannah took a job with Paxton Ministries in Harrisburg PA. Though his time with Hope For The Rejected was short he built strong relationships with fellow ministers within the underground culture. Determined to stay in ministry he founded Hold Fast in 2006 along with Chris Tomlinson. Since forming Hold Fast they have dealt with several changes and struggles but God has been faithful and Jeremy is moving forward with God’s plan for his ministry.
Jeremy’s Vision for Ministry:
- To show the unconditional love of Christ to people who have never experienced it.
- To promote unity in Christ amongst all believers.
- To shoulder the burdens of those who need it by praying, encouraging and helping out anyway he can.
- To build relationships with people who are hurting, outcast, and feel unloved.
- To promote peace and justice from a biblical perspective.
Professional:
- Was a camp counselor at the Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp from 1995-2000
- Served in ministry while at Eastern University with what is now the simple way.
- Served as Associate Pastor with Revolution Church from 2000-2003.
- Staff Writer at www.Buzzgrinder.com 2004 – 2006
- Co-Owner/Producer of Floating Boy Media 2004 – present
- Was a band outreach director with Hope For The Rejected from 2005-2006.
- Has a music project called Jeremy Ritch & The Cowards
- Writes quarterly column in the Brethren In Christ Magazine “Shalom”
- Is Pastor of Hold Fast Ministries in Harrisburg PA
Books:
“My Beautiful Mess” (c) 2009 LULU Publishing
Published Articles:
Shalom: Midnight Musings (Found on Pg 11 of PDF)
- Shalom: Fall 08 – Real Men Love Jesus
- Shalom: Winter 09 – Poverty Can Be A Good Thing
- Shalom: Spring 09 – The Violence of Love
- Shalom: Summer 09 – Urban Stewardship (pg. 10)
- Shalom: Fall 09 – Money Matters
Music:
Education:
- Graduated from St. Peter Chanel High School in Bedford OH, Class of 1994
- Attended The University of Toledo from 1996-1997
- Attended Eastern University in St. Davids PA from 1997-1999
Church Life:
- Was baptized, raised, & confirmed in the Hungarian Reformed Church of America
- Currently a member of Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church
- Is an official supported missionary of Anchor Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee
