The Author

Ryan J. Pemberton left a successful career in marketing and public relations to write about life, faith, and God. He has degrees in theology from Duke Divinity School and Oxford University, where he lived in C. S. Lewis's former home, served as President of the Oxford University C. S. Lewis Society, and co-founded the Oxford Open Forum, an inter-religious dialogue group. 

Photo courtesy of Jeni Nelson.

Ryan has written for Christianity TodaySojourners, Image Journal, Relevant magazine, Bible Study Magazine, and Duke University Chapel. He is the author of Called: My Journey to C. S. Lewis's House and Back Again (Leafwood Publishers, 2015) and Walking With C. S. Lewis: A Spiritual Journey Through His Life and Writings (Lexham Press, 2018).


He serves on the Board of Directors for Jesus' Economy, an international non-profit organization that creates jobs and churches in the developing world. 


Ryan lives in the Bay Area with his wife and their two children, where he serves as Minister for University Engagement at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. He is represented by Amanda Luedeke of MacGregor Literary Agency

#calledthejourney

Video & Audio

 

Video:

 
 

If You Knew You'd Fail, Would You Go Anyway? | Ryan J. Pemberton | TEDxACU

 

Candid reflections on “Called: My Journey to C.S. Lewis's House and Back Again,” for the C. S. Lewis Society of California.

"What Does C. S. Lewis Have to Teach Us About Reconciliation?" Bethel University Chapel, Feb 2017, St. Paul, MN, Bethel.edu 

Set in historic Oxford, England and the Kilns, former home to writer C. S. Lewis, "Called" is a memoir on calling, asking, What does it mean for a Christian to be called? Written by Ryan J. Pemberton and published by Leafwood Publishers, "Called" released February 2015.

Ryan J Pemberton's lecture on Christian Calling for the Friday Symposium lecture series at Dallas Baptist University, Sept 20, 2013.

Video of Ryan J Pemberton's story of following a calling, shot before leaving  for Oxford (2010).

Audio:

 
 

Ryan's Speaking & Reading Schedule

March 1, 2019 – “If You Knew You’d Fail, Would You Go Anyway?” – TEDxACU – 8:30PM – Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX

March 13, 2019 – “An Evening with Ryan J. Pemberton” – C. S. Lewis Society of California – 7:30PM – Oakland, CA


Sept 1, 2018 – “Listening As Our Act of Love” – Unbelievable USA Conference – Westside: A Jesus Church – Portland, OR


Jan 11, 2017 - 10:30 am - MOPS: "Embracing Your Calling" - Calvary Church - Los Gatos, CA

March 7, 2017 - 6-9 pm - "Panel discussion: Euro American Stories, Whiteness, and Reconciliation" - Bethel University - St. Paul, MN

March 8, 2017 - 10:15-11 am - Chapel: What Can C. S. Lewis Teach Us About Reconciliation? - Bethel University - St. Paul, MN

July 24 - Aug 3, 2017 - C.S. Lewis Foundation “Oxbridge” Summer Institute - Oxford and Cambridge, UK 


April 21, 2016 - 7:30 pm - Cal InterVarsity - Berkeley, CA

April 22, 2016 - 7 pm - "The Call to Ministry: A Vocational Forum," New College Berkeley, 223 Dwinelle Hall, UC Berkeley - Berkeley, CA

May 17, 2016 - Called: Author Q&A, Kensington, CA

May 21, 2016 - Bay Area Christian Artist Network gathering, Church of the Sojourners, 2820 22nd St., San Francisco, CA


Jan 24, 2015 - 9 am - Westside: A Jesus Church - Portland, OR

Feb 8, 2015 - 8 pm - Woods Coffee Flatiron - Bellingham, WA

Feb 18, 2015 - 7 pm - First Presbyterian Church - Bellingham, OR

Feb 21, 2015 - 6:30 pm - Victory Baptist Church - Hermiston, OR

Feb 22, 2015 - 10:45 am - Victory Baptist Church - Hermiston, OR

March 1, 2015 - 10 am - Sumas Christian Reformed Church - Sumas, WA

March 6, 2015 - 2 pm - Western Washington University, Fraser Hall, 102 - Bellingham, WA

March 7, 2015 - 7 pm - Village Books - Bellingham, WA

March 14, 2015 - 7 pm - First Presbyterian Church - Bellingham, WA

March 24, 2015 - 12 pm - Abilene Christian University - Abilene, TX

March 30, 2015 - 8 pm - The Inn University Ministries, First Pres. Church - Bellingham, WA

April 6, 2015 - 6:45 pm - Seattle Pacific University, Demaray Hall, Rm 105 - Seattle, WA

April 11, 2015 - 10 am - Faith & Culture Writers Conf., Warner Pacific College - Portland, OR

May 7, 2015 - 6 pm - First Presbyterian Church / 242 House - Berkeley, CA

May 21, 2015 - 9:20 am - Lynden Christian High School Chapel - Lynden, WA 

Sept 25–7, 2015 - Eagle Crest Resort - Redmond, OR

Oct 16, 2015 - Friday Symposium, Dallas Baptist University - Dallas, TX