Jamie Rye spent his childhood exploring nature and filling his pockets with rocks. In middle school, he went on his first official hike on the Appalachian trail. This is where he learned the lesson to never wear new work boots for hiking. 

 

Jamie graduated with degrees in Theology and Youth. For the last 20 years, he has had the opportunity to create, fund, grow, consult with, and lead countless nonprofits centered around spirituality, justice, equity, agriculture, and the environment. In that time, he has acted as a visionary and founding member for Social Services for the Arab Community, Without Borders Community, The WildGoose Festival, East Central Ohio Sanctuary Network and Trail and Table. 

 

As a former Pastor, Jamie was on staff at Mars Hill Bible Church under the mentorship of Rob Bell. He was later ordained in the Free Methodist Church where he became a church planner and most recently, Jamie served in the Episcopal, Mennonite and UMC denominations. 

 

As a consultant, Jamie has worked as the Editor for a micro-enterprise street newspaper, served two Habitat for Humanity affiliates, acted as the Director for an income-based CSA farm, and currently as the Executive Director for a nonprofit that supports BIPOC farmers in West Africa and in the rural South.  

 

In his free time, Jamie and his family are developing their second permaculture and regenerative agricultural farm, restoring their 1930s tiny mountain cabin and exploring the natural world as often as possible. Jamie, his wife Kelly, and their two kids reside in the glorious Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. He is thoroughly convinced that there is no better place in this world than these old sacred, worn-down mountains. 

 

He loves networking and befriending everyone, so feel free to reach out to him.

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