Ryan Macdonald didn’t follow a straight path to leadership. Growing up in Batavia, New York, he started out helping set up chairs for Sunday worship in his backyard. That small act of service became the foundation for a career defined by consistency, strategy, and community impact.
Today, Ryan leads The City Church and St. Anthony’s, a multi-campus Christian community. His role is more than ministry—it’s leadership in its broadest sense. He brings together faith, business, and real-world problem-solving to meet needs in his community.
Ryan’s success comes from a mix of patience and planning. Ministry taught him to think long-term. Business taught him to work with systems and strategy. Whether it’s launching a new outreach program or renovating a property, he balances vision with execution.
Family plays a central role in his life and work. Ryan and his wife Samantha, married for over 18 years, raise two sons who share in community projects. He believes leadership starts at home.
He’s also comfortable taking risks. Merging congregations into one multi-campus structure was a bold move—one that worked because of trust and clear purpose.
Ryan’s journey shows how small beginnings can lead to big impact. His story blends grassroots service, family-led leadership, and a willingness to take calculated risks. It’s a reminder that success isn’t just about what you build—it’s about how you show up, day after day, and the lives you influence along the way.
Q&A with Ryan Macdonald: On Success
Q: Ryan, you’ve led in ministry and navigated business decisions. How do you define success?
For me, success is about long-term impact. It’s not just hitting a target this quarter—it’s about whether what you’re building is still helping people five, ten, twenty years from now.
Q: You started young, setting up chairs for worship. Did you see that as leadership at the time?
Not at all. I thought I was just helping out. But looking back, I realize that’s where I learned two important things—showing up matters, and no task is too small. Those lessons translate directly into running organizations.
Q: What’s one risk you’ve taken that shaped your leadership?
Merging two congregations into one multi-campus church. We risked losing identity and momentum. But we focused on shared values and communication. Today, it’s stronger than either congregation was alone.
Q: What role does strategy play in your work?
A big one. Faith gives you vision, but strategy gives you a plan. For example, when we wanted to open a community space in an old building, my real estate experience helped us find the right property, negotiate the deal, and keep renovations on budget.
Q: Has ministry taught you anything about business?
Patience. Business is often about speed—move fast, beat the competition. Ministry taught me to think in seasons. Not everything needs to happen right away.
Q: And business about ministry?
Efficiency. Ministry can sometimes get caught in tradition. Business thinking helps you streamline without losing heart.
Q: What advice do you give someone starting out?
Start small. Stay consistent. Learn skills outside your field. And don’t be afraid to fail—just make sure you learn from it.
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
That I built things that lasted. That I showed people they could do more than they thought possible. And that I was there when it counted.