Bio
Born and raised in rural west Alabama, Reid was a typical small town good-ole boy. He grew up as an average student, good athlete and well known son of hard working, good parents. However, he also grew up with an unusual heart and passion for life and with dreams that were much bigger than where he came from.

During his high schools years, the focus of those dreams turned towards athletics and Reid found his entire identity wrapped up in sports. Though church and faith were a part of his background and identity, he made the idol of athletics his God. This way of life brought all the things his small world had to offer. However, his life remained empty and he knew deep down that there had to be more to it than what life seemed to offer. God began to allow a series of circumstances and injuries to enter Reid’s life that would ultimately destroy the idol of athletics in his life and the identity and pride that came along with it. So much so that he spent the first two years of college trying to find an identity and purpose in life and trying to fill the void with things of the world. His heart and passion remained, but undisciplined, it lead him to extremes in everything he did.

After almost two years of wondering in the darkness, Reid hit the proverbial bottom. He was made to realize that the path he was choosing lead only to dead ends. Again, the realization from deep within that there had to be more to life confronted him. He turned to God and prayed for God to send someone into his life to show him what was real. God answered by sending a high school cheerleader and an agnostic philosophy professor.

God used the professor to show Reid the emptiness of life without God and challenged him to know what he believed and why. As a result, Reid began to read the Bible and provoke discussions about faith and God at every opportunity. God used the preppy, goodie-goodie, cheerleader (that Reid initially could not stand) and her family to lead Reid back to church. It was there Reid found what he had been looking for; answers, purpose, and something worth being passionate about that would last forever. He gave his life to Christ and received Him as Lord.
Though Satan battled to keep Reid out of God’s purpose for his life, God provided a network of friends through his College and Career group that sharpened, encouraged and challenged him. Through the fellowship and discipleship of this group, along with the prayers of many and the mentoring of his pastor, Reid realized his call to ministry and began speaking at youth rallies and conferences while serving as an intern at his home church.

After graduating from college, Reid spent a summer as a missionary for the North American Mission Board and then entered Southern Seminary in the Fall of 1994. Reid has worked in Student Ministry since 1993. As a conference speaker and student minister, he has a proven reputation for developing young believers into spiritual leaders, building successful ministry teams, and challenging students to think more deeply about their spiritual lives. He is a man of vision and passion who desires only the glory of God. In 2003, Reid and his wife Rayanne left church staff student ministry to form Legacy Leadership Ministry, Inc. Legacy Ministries is a leadership development ministry that partners with churches to help them develop and implement discipleship strategies that focus on leadership development. As part of those partnerships, Legacy does ministry evaluations, strategy development, teambuilding seminars, volunteer workshops, parental involvement workshops and leadership events. Rayanne serves as the Executive Administrator for Legacy and they have two children; Trinity Grace and Elijah Andrew. They moved to Troy, Alabama in March, 2004 where they attend Bush Memorial Baptist Church, and Reid teaches a Sunday School Class for adults called “Going Deeper.”

God has continued to lead and bless their lives and Legacy as He opens doors of opportunity to serve and sacrifice for the cause of the Gospel. Along with developing partnerships through his ministry with Legacy, Reid also speaks about 50 times a year at various events, rallies, churches and conferences.

Accomplishments
EDUCATION
-The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky Master of Theology, 30 hours completed Historical Theology
- The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky Master of Divinity, December 1997 Theological Studies Higher Education

HONORS, AWARDS AND PUBILCATIONS
• Developing Disciplines: The Tools of a Spiritual Leader, Legacy Leadership Ministry, Inc. 2003.
• Establishing Foundations: Core Beliefs of a Spiritual Leader, Legacy Leadership Ministry, Inc. 2004.
• Student Missionary for Southern Baptist North American Mission Board - 1994
• National Dean’s List (1993-1994)

PROFESSIONAL EXPEREINCE
- Legacy Leadership Ministry, Inc. (July 2003 – Current) President, Our purpose is to develop influencers with the power to impact and change society for the cause of Christ. The goal of Legacy Ministries is to influence the character of our nation and world in the next generation by developing the influence of people of character.
- Fairhaven Baptist Church (August 2001 – July 2003) - Director of Student Ministries
- Elk Creek Baptist Church (March 1998 – August 2001) - Associate Pastor of Students

References
"One of the highlights of conducting Youth Pastor Summit's as well as our Student Leadership University program is to meet individuals who are focused and passionate about raising up a generation of champions. Research clearly reveals that if we keep doing the same old programs in the same old way, we're going to get the same old results. Survey after survey indicates Youth Pastors are weary of turning out Sunday morning Christians at best. If you're serious about taking your youth group to the next level, I encourage you to engage with Legacy Ministries. Reid Ward is committed to walking alongside your youth group to help you and your students soar."
- Jay Strack, President/Founder,
Student Leadership University

"Reid Ward is on the frontline for today’s student. Anyone can be a speaker or musician, but it takes the hand of the Lord to be elevated to the impact Legacy Ministries is having across the country. I strongly encourage every pastor and student ministry to be involved in their program. Call them, because it is evident that the Lord has already done so to this ministry! If I can be of any assistance do not hesitate to contact me for a personal recommendation to the effectiveness of this ministry!”
- Scott Dawson, Founder,
Scott Dawson Evangelsitic Association

"Legacy Rocks, they are a breath of fresh air because they are someone to walk along side who shares the same passion and vision for evangelism, discipleship and spiritual leadership." -Jeremy Burrage, Minister of Students and Recreation, Circlewood Baptist Church

"Thank you so much for this weekend! It was great!! You taught me a lot of new ways to look at Scripture and you are a trip to hang out with. So thanks!!" -Kristal Hendrix, College Student, Sandersville, Georgia

“LEGACY MINISTRIES…where were these guys 17 years ago?” …my first thought after hearing the heart and vision of Reid Ward. As a Youth Pastor of 17 years I’ve discovered that leadership development is vital to the health and success of ministry. Legacy is a rare find and a valuable resource in helping youth pastors build their ministries around this crucial truth. Reid models the leadership of Jesus as they come along side and elevate your ministry toward excellence! Their humility and desire to be servant-leaders is evident in every aspect of their ministry. Do-U-Know is committed to being a herald for Legacy! You need to connect with them and explore the possibilities of partnering with Legacy!"
- Matt Nelson, Director, Do-U-Know, Inc.

"I am excited about beginning a partnership with Legacy Ministries and Reid Ward. His passion is to help develop and equip our adult and student leadership teams. I am convinced that our partnership will definitely help us strengthen a glaring weakness in our student ministry."
-Gary Millraney, Minister with Students, Smith's Station Baptist Church

"I have known Reid Ward for almost a decade and have been impressed with both his theological and personal integrity and his desire to instill a passion in today's youth for Christian leadership and service."
- Kimberly Thornbury, Dean of Students, Union Univ.

"Legacy Ministries is the greatest tool I've found in my 2+ years of Student Ministry! They created more adult awareness and got the students fired up about their influence in others lives, which in turn directed them to take a good look at their relationship with Christ."
- Ty Neal, Student Minister, Elk Creek Baptist Church

"Reid Ward has a great vision for developing leadership and have found a much needed niche in student ministry."
- Dale Glover, Minister of Students,
Valley View Baptist Church