Ron Hutchcraft Ministries / RHM

Analyst Comments [ Back to top ]

Ron Hutchcraft Ministries listed by MinistryWatch.com as a 2011 Shining Light ‘Top 30’ Exemplary Ministry.

This ministry is called a ‘Shining Light’ because it is indeed a model of letting their light shine before men, and God is to be glorified in what they are doing. Consequently, we are shining a figurative light on them so that donors may be aware of their good deeds.

Believers are recognizable by their fruit, which includes the services they perform for Him and for others. We see a glimpse of His light and glory in this ministry and if you do too, you should feel very good about giving to it; however, only you can decide for yourself with confidence if a ministry shares your values and with your giving plan.

Inclusion as a Shining Light does not mean it is perfect. No ministry is perfect and any that look long and hard enough may find areas for improvement; as no doubt most legitimate ministries are aware of areas to improve and have their own to-do list for improvement. As far as MinistryWatch.com’s assessment, given the criteria that we followed, this ministry rose among the top.

Identifying a diversity of the best ministries is challenging given the selfless work that so many do for the cause of Christ. MinistryWatch.com’s assessment looked at the following seven areas when considering those to make the list: (1) Transparency, (2) Truth Claims, (3) Values/ Worldview, (4) Sectors/Functions, (5) Resourcefulness, (6) Red Flag Issues, (7) Counsel with others.

A fuller explanation of our evaluation criteria is on the front page of MinistryWatch.com. As is evident, we looked at many factors and as such, a high Financial Efficiency Rating was not a requirement of inclusion on this list, although most do have good ratings. Many factors were reviewed and strengths in other areas can offset weakness in financial efficiency when determining whether a ministry should be of interest to donors seeking to be good stewards of their giving. A foundational premise was to shine a figurative light on those ministries that were "Christian" more than in name only. Ministries were chosen that were not just marketing to Christians as a market segment for "Christian donor money", but ministries that had theological underpinnings and Biblical values that determined their actions. Organizations that relied more on a secular motivation and means were excluded as well as those “ministries” that seem to view the organization as their own vehicle as a business to make money rather than a love to maximize ministry to others and to let their light shine for the glory of God.

MinistryWatch.com desires to see overall giving to Biblical Christian values increase and as such we developed this format to highlight those ministries which are exemplary. This ministry is an outstanding example when we consider it through the lens of Philippians 4:8 and weigh and take account of those ministries that are excellent and worthy of praise.
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MinistryWatch.com’s Take

The Gospel and Good Advice

Ron Hutchcraft Ministries (RHM) is an evangelical Christian organization with a two-fold mission: (1) calling the lost to conversion through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and (2) helping Christians to order their daily lives on the basis of good advice grounded upon biblical principles. RHM features the teaching ministry of Rev. Ron Hutchcraft. Hutchcraft has more than 30 years of experience working with young people and families. He has spoken at locations across North America as well as in the United Kingdom, Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, the South Pacific and the West Indies. His meetings have included parent seminars, business/leadership conferences, youth outreaches, high school assemblies and NFL and Major League Baseball chapels. In all of these outreaches, Hutchcraft seeks to reach the lost with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

For Hutchcraft, good advice always involves the Gospel, and the Gospel is in turn the foundation of a good life. RHM’s understanding of the Gospel, including the experience of personal conversion, is outlined in its booklet “Yours For Life!” This is basically a Gospel tract which guides the seeker, taking their “search for meaning” as a point of departure, through the biblical story of creation, sin and redemption. The message is then brought to bear upon the reader in a personal way, as they are presented with their opportunity and responsibility to become obedient to the Gospel. The decision to be converted to Jesus Christ is summarized in RHM’s version of the “sinner’s prayer”:

Lord, I have been running my own life- but I resign as of today. I was made by You . . . I was made for You, but I’ve been living for me. I’m sorry for that self-rule You call sin. But I believe Your Son Jesus Christ paid my death penalty when he died on the cross, and right now I am turning from a life of “my way” and I am putting all my trust in Jesus Christ to erase my sin from Your book, to give me a relationship with You, and to get me to heaven. Lord, from today on, I am Yours [bold print original].

According to Hutchcraft, new life in Christ has loads of practical consequences. He devotes a great deal of his ministry, in seminars, on the air, online and in print, bringing the light of the Gospel to bear upon practical, but vitally important life issues. Hutchcraft’s teaching style is creative and winsome. His messages are easy to understand, but not lacking in substance. For example, when talking about sex, he effectively illustrates his point about the sanctity of marriage by remarking that a blazing fire can be a wonderful thing, provided it is contained in a fireplace! Otherwise, people can get tragically burned. Hutchcraft also makes effective use of simple and straightforward advice. When speaking to teens about family relationships, he encourages them: “don’t just survive your family; try to improve your family.” Instead of a long-winded discussion of personal responsibility or theological definitions of love, he offers five “power sentences” that teens should get in the habit of using to help build their families: “I love you”; “Thank you”; “How do you feel?”; “I was wrong”; and “I need help.” The Gospel ties into these matters because the God who sets the standards for a good life (in matters of sex, the family, etc.) is also the God who has revealed himself to man in Jesus Christ. He makes good laws and heals sinful people so that they can begin to enjoy a life in conformity with his will.

To Young and Old

Outreach ministry specifically for young people is a hallmark of RHM. Hutchcraft’s spontaneous style and enthusiasm allow him to communicate easily and effectively with young people. RHM’s primary youth program is “Real Time,” a weekly, half-hour radio broadcast heard throughout North America, Latin America and in more than 60 countries worldwide. Real Time does not have a set format. Hutchcraft prefers instead to take a non-linear, unpredictable approach, giving the listener information in bursts rather than subjecting them to lengthy discourses. This is undoubtably a concession to the widespread notion that contemporary people, especially young people, have adopted visual, associative patterns of interacting with their environment, more so than analytic and discursive thought processes (which are required, for example, to engage in philosophical reflection or to read great literature). But “non-linear” radio can also be just plain fun. In any event, Real Time is not a meaningless jumble of sound bites, but always presents a coherent theme, presented by the following means: (a) A topic that focuses upon a single issues, such as peer pressure, suicide or substance abuse; (b) “HotLix”- responses from around the world to questions relating to the topic; (c) a “Hope Story” relating the change which a person on the edge of destruction experienced through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; (d) “Truth Tunes”- at least four mainstream/modern rock songs which express the voices and views of the listening audience; (e) “God Sez”- Scripture that relates to the topic; (f) “Straight Talk”- Ron Hutchcraft deals with the spiritual and controversial aspects of the current topic and helps tie it all together.

RHM reaches adult listeners thorough its daily radio program, “A Word With You.” This 4 ½-minute program does follow a set pattern, but is snappy and quick-paced nonetheless, easily engaging the listener’s attention. Hutchcraft, the host, opens each program with an interesting and illustrative vignette, drawn either from personal experience, world events, pop culture, the Bible or fiction. He then transitions to the day’s topic, playing off the show’s moniker with the following announcement: “I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have a word with you about [topic of the day].” Regardless of what the topic is (topics run the whole gamut of life issues), Hutchcraft always points his audience, especially “spiritual seekers” to Jesus Christ. A “Word With You” is primarily an evangelistic outreach with points of application for everyone. Hutchcraft regularly invites listeners to receive Christ by means of personal conversion through repentance (from sin) and faith (in God). Those who wish to do so are then invited to learn more about the Gospel by requesting a free copy of Hutchcraft’s evangelistic booklet, “Yours For Life!”

RHM’s radio ministry is supplemented by a website which features archives of radio broadcasts (text or audio versions), helpful links, access to RHM resources, and a Bible search engine. RHM’s print and audio resources feature books, videos, music and other materials. All of these items are intended to further RHM’s mission of “communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost in their language and to motivating and equipping believers to communicate Christ to the lost in their world.” RHM also conducts “Make a Difference Weeks” throughout the country. These events, which feature the teaching ministry of Ron Hutchcraft, can take the form of parenting seminars, singles’ events, youth outreaches and business / professional dinners. The purpose is to present Jesus Christ in non-religious language, and to find unique ways of convincing audiences of lost people by appealing to their perceived needs. RHM refers to this technique as “non-religious evangelism.” Finally, RHM is active in outreach efforts to Native Americans through the “On Eagle’s Wings” program. “On Eagle’s Wings” is a leadership development team which seeks to be “ambassadors of hope” to other Native American young people.