Ryan and Emily Rains

Ryan and Emily serve as Missionary Educators at Berea Theological University College (BTUC) in Lusaka, Zambia, which serves as the Church of God seminary for the whole continent of Africa.

Since childhood, Ryan has been involved in youth and student ministries across the United States, Europe, and Asia. After growing up on the Church of God mission field in Portugal, Germany, and the Philippines, Ryan graduated from Lee University in 2014. He taught English in Changchun, China, where he spread the gospel through friendship evangelism. After teaching in the United States for a few years, he felt led to become a tentmaker missionary and eventually a Church of God appointed missionary to Japan.

Emily became a Christian in 2011 at the State University of New York at Cortland, during her freshman year. After graduating with a degree in English Education in 2016, she went to China to share the gospel to students in the top college campuses. Returning to the United States in 2022, Emily continued to reach college students with BASIC College Ministries in Lima, NY with Elim Fellowship. During her time with BASIC, she equipped many college students in New York with tools to share the gospel and to incorporate simple discipleship methods.

After getting married, Ryan and Emily served in Japan together until they were called to Africa in 2025. As missionary educators at BTUC, they are helping train the future leaders of COG Africa. The fulfillment of the Great Commission and the reaching of the lost has remained an integral part of their heart and lives.