About Us
Our Story
We are Ryan and Joanna Reynolds, the founders of Rest and Healing Ministries. Although our journey has not always been perfect, we have continuously seen God's hands at work. In 2020, just before the pandemic, Ryan disclosed that there had been betrayal in our marriage leading to two separations that year. Wanting to honor God by doing everything we could to save our marriage, we sought counseling and were then led to a retreat center for a marriage intensive. Although skeptical at first, God's guidance, wise counsel, and a peaceful environment led to our reconciliation.
Part of this healing process was for Ryan to find a new job. He had worked at FedEx for over 20 years on the night shift. Working nights was not healthy or sustainable for our marriage or family. With no luck, Ryan had tried various opportunities, even getting licensed as a mortgage loan officer. As always, we turn to God when we need help.
In the fall of 2022, we went on another retreat, fasting, praying, and doing different spiritual formation exercises. One of those exercises was called a "Longing and Desires Map". We worked on it separately and then came back together to discuss it. This first question asked us to pick a date in the future, without discussing it beforehand we both picked the same date and had similar responses on the map. It became very clear that God was calling us into retreat ministry. As this seemed so big and scary for us, Joanna had asked God to send her a sign of a butterfly as a way to confirm this calling He had for us. With it being fall in Indiana Joanna knew this was almost impossible as it is not the time of year for them. However, on our way to lunch while driving down the road a beautiful monarch butterfly went right in front of us. Confirming this calling God had for us.
Since then, we've been learning how to start a nonprofit, seeking God's guidance at every step. One significant moment was receiving our 501(c)(3) approval just 20 days after applying, despite being told it could take up to 180 days.
Rest and Healing Ministries was born out of our desire to offer others the same peace, stillness, and healing that we experienced. Our goal is to provide a sanctuary where people can step away from worldly distractions, invite God in, and find true rest and healing.
About Us
Ryan Reynolds
Retreat Director / Innkeeper
Married for ten years to Joanna, and together they have two daughters. Ryan has worked at FedEx for 25 years. He knew this was never his full calling in life, but it provided for his family. In recent years, God’s faithfulness gradually revealed his calling to retreat ministry. Ryan finds great joy in providing others with a delicious meal and enjoys one-on-one conversations.
When Ryan is not busy in the kitchen or caring for the household and family needs, you can find him playing a game of some kind.
Joanna Reynolds
Retreat Director / Innkeeper
Married ten years to Ryan, together they have two daughters. Joanna has a background in early childhood education with 11 years of experience. Seven of those years have been in full-time ministry as Nursery Director. Joanna knows God uses every opportunity in our lives to share His love and joy with others. She has grown in her spiritual walk, retreats with the Lord, and loves to help others in their own walk.
Joanna enjoys spending time with her family and friends. In her downtime, she enjoys watching a good movie. Her favorite place to be is out in nature with God.
Meet our Board
Brandy Schroeder
Board Director
Brandy has been a mortgage loan officer for 19 years and finds joy in helping people find the finances needed to meet their family needs. She has recently embarked on a new journey of having a traveling petting zoo and making homemade goods on the side. She has a heart of gold and a gift for seeing people for who they are in God's eyes. She is married to Brad and together they have raised 3 beautiful children. Brandy is a valid member of our board. She helps us keep our vision and mission in line, organize and run fundraisers events, share with others about our mission, and recruit volunteers. Her work has been extremely helpful as we work on achieving our goals and know her work will help us continue to grow.
“I always feel closer to God when I can go and be in solitude with him. Rest and Healing Ministries giving people a place to do that is truly a gift.” - Brandy
Heather Brenegan
Secretary
Heather is a Registered Dietitian who has spent the last 10 years of her professional career in the food distribution sales and child nutrition foodservice operations industries. She is currently an Assistant Director of Food & Nutrition Services for a large school district on the southside of Indianapolis. She is a proud Big Sister through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of Indianapolis.
She is married to Charles and together they have 2 fur children, Max and Murphy.
Heather is excited to join the board and see how God uses Rest and Healing Ministries to help people deepen their relationship with Him.
Heather Ollanketo
Treasure
Heather’s broad experience includes 5 years as Director of Finance and Operations for an Indianapolis based leadership firm and previously 16 years with a local college in various accounting roles. Her skill includes most functions related to small business operations. Heather holds a master’s degree in accounting from Indiana University Purdue University – Indianapolis and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Indiana University—Bloomington.
She has been married to Mike for 23 years and they have two beautiful girls. They are saved by grace, transformed by love, and guided by faith. Heather is looking forward to contributing to the mission of Rest & Healing Ministries.
Meet our Mentors
Chuck and Becka are the founders of REST Ministries. They have been working in retreat ministry for 20 years. Their goal is to help others seek spiritual revival and renewal in their lives. With God’s guidance and provision they’ve helped countless individuals by encouraging and equipping them to seek intimacy with God. The Lehman’s are mentors to the Reynolds as they embark on this journey for retreat ministry. Sharing their wisdom to help them meet their goals and carry out their mission.