Searching for Significance

Guests Marcus Ryan & Down Here

In this episode of Faith Café you'll catch Scott Dente interviewing Marcus Ryan on a topic we all face, our search for Significance. Marcus has a lot of good things to say and you'll also get a chance to brush up on your rendition of O' Canada and your hockey skills when our band of the week Canada, Downhere takes the stage at your favorite TV coffeehouse.

Marcus Ryan | www.marcusryan.com

Marcus Ryan holds a PH.D in communications and is Director of Online Programming for Charles Stanley's InTouch Ministries and the former executive editor for Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox content at Christianity.com.

As Director of Online Programming, Marcus is responsible for all InTouch programming delivered via the web as streaming content or as a download, as well as personal programming delivered via the Internet, such as Podcasts. Marcus also oversees all content delivered on the ministry's website (intouch.org).

Marcus has held executive management positions in business and has had pastoral experience at several churches. He was initially hired as the founding executive editor of Protestant content at Christianity.com when it was founded in January of 2000. Less than a year later he assumed the duties of executive editor Catholic and Orthodox content as well. As the executive editor, he oversaw both the content produced by internal writers as well as the content contributed by outside writer, determining the specific content that made it to the live website. An experienced interviewer, Marcus is a former news anchor for an independent Southern California television station. He holds a Master's degree in communication from Regent University with an emphasis in producing and managing film and television. His Ph.D in communication is also from Regent, with an emphasis in new media (internet technology) and theories of use by people of faith. He wrote his doctoral dissertation on The Face of Faith During National Crisis: News coverage of faith and religion following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

In his new book, Restless Journey, Marcus offers men a rich and unique perspective to help them find the strength and purpose to live life to the fullest. Restless Journey equips men to discover a deeper purpose and the fulfillment of making a difference.

Marcus and his wife, Lisa, have three daughters and make their home in the Atlanta area.

Downhere | www.downhere.com

The goal isn't to land in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The goal is to represent Christ in all of our relationships. The band and the music are the medium we're using to paint this picture of what it looks like to be a Christian.

When Canadian melodic alt-rockers Downhere hit the U.S. music scene in 2001 with the release of their self-titled debut, Christian music fans took notice. The band's combination of powerful vocals, intelligent lyrics, and commitment to ministering to their audiences, helped earn them a Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year, a Juno Award for Best Gospel Album, and Canadian Gospel Music Association Covenant Awards for Rock Album of the Year (for Larger Than Life).

The momentum continued with the release of So Much For Substitutes in 2003, earning the band a Dove Award for Modern Rock Recorded Song of the Year for "Breaking Me Down," as well as Best Male Vocalist honors from Christianmusictoday.com for co-lead vocalist Marc Martel.