Ranie Neislar has accepted a call as a Missioner for Columba House Augusta. As Missioner, Neislar will oversee the local ministry of Columba House Augusta’s outreach to college students and young adults in the Augusta area. She will work with Program Manager Rudy Reyes and the Columba House Augusta Advisory Board to build up the program to a full intentional community. Columba House is an Episcopal intentional community where young people can explore spirituality through dialogue, prayer, and service to our neighbors.Neislar was born and raised in Athens, GA. She earned her Bachelors from the University of Georgia. She majored in History with a focus on the history of Christianity in the United States. Although her desire to deeply understand all sides of historical and social events was evident before college, Ranie’s historical training fed and honed her passion for social justice. Reflection on history prompted her to consider the ways in which religious life is shaped by culture. Such reflections drove Ranie to seek deeper understanding of the principles informing Christian belief and practice. They inspired a newfound passion for the study of theology. In the fall of 2011, Ranie enrolled in classes at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC to pursue this passion. Along the way to earning her M.Div, Ranie has engaged in youth ministry at her home parish of St. Augustine’s of Canterbury in Augusta. There she has had the opportunity to guide teenagers to more deeply consider the beliefs informing their faith, from understanding “neighbor” to caring for marginalized creation.
She is married to the ever patient, delightfully goofy John Hayes. When Ranie is not busy formenting revolution in Augusta, she enjoys jogging, tennis, reading theology (of course!), and debating the meaning of life with John on long walks with their two dogs.
