Sydney to Asia
Sydney to Asia is from a short article written in response to a question David is often asked; “you’re a business leader, what led to you founding Heart For Kids and ChinaHeart”. He was asked to capture his story in a brief article for Kingdom Connections Illawarra.
We believe every child deserves to be seen, known and loved — no matter where they’re born. This is David’s story of how he came to believe that enough to change his whole life for it.
Have you ever seriously considered letting go of the plan for your life that you are holding onto? Your plan for where you want to be, or what you want to be doing, in 5 or maybe 10 years. I did — and I don’t think I’m anything special in doing that.
It's scary!
Business was my future
I had been in business with my father for nearly 15 years when I recognised what my plan was. Dad had started a small business many years earlier and it was quite successful — like most small business people, my week involved far more than the regulation 40 hours.
Many days began at 5.30am at the desk at home doing paperwork, followed by hectic sales calls, tendering and hands-on production and product development, then another few hours back at the desk after everyone else had gone home for dinner with their family.
I began another business in which my wife Beth was more involved. But this was the lifestyle that would allow me to realise my vision — I was enjoying international travel most years, and Beth and I enjoyed plenty of time on the ski fields, locally or in New Zealand.
Mixed into this hectic, dare I say, workaholic daily ritual, was an equally heavy workload in our local church. Into the week I also managed to squeeze leadership of two youth groups for many years, along with other leadership roles in the church at large. So if nights weren’t busy in the office, they were equally busy in the church.
"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."
It wasn't complicated
My plan was simple:
- By my late thirties, to be back living on the waterfront with the yacht and the sports car
- Continue my youth involvement through some Scripture teaching one afternoon a week
- Do some twilight yacht racing
Things were coming together quite nicely to see that dream realised. Then I made a decision that impacted every part of my plan.
In 1996 I joined a team going to China for two weeks, cycling in the southern province of Guangdong. With every rotation of those bike pedals I was pedalling further from my planned dream, and closer to a whole different reality. During that trip, and in the weeks that followed, I heard God speak. He was saying there was a new beginning coming, and I was to go to Bible college. Beth and I weren’t in agreement for a while, but then something changed, and we were both hearing God say the same thing. My father, however, wasn’t hearing that when I went to discuss my resignation from the family business I was then managing.
The next few months were not just tense — the step Beth and I were about to take deeply saddened my father. Dad’s vision for the future of the business was not going to be realised. Over the next four years I completed my degree in ministry at Tabor Bible College. Then I waited, and wondered what God was going to open up. Some other students had a clear vision of where they wanted to go after graduation. I didn’t. All we knew was that I was meant to go to Tabor.
I returned to China, this time in a team with my son, to an orphanage in the northwest. Even more change was coming. I was soon asked to lead a team. This became coordinating orphanage teams, and this led to re-birthing the mercy ministry in our mission. This was never in my future vision — where was my yacht and sports car?
It was a stressful time
Going to China three times that year was stressful for Beth, who was left managing our business. We felt led to ask a friend to become our General Manager. It was a “God Thing,” and in a few weeks he was sitting at his new desk. For many years he did a great job with Beth, keeping me out of the business and in China.
After another couple of years I hired a young man to take over my graphics and marketing work, so I could be in the ministry full time. The company grew along with the ministry.
The impact today
These 30 or so years have not always been easy. But when you know you are in God’s plan, it’s the only place to be. ChinaHeart’s vision is to help bring change for China’s orphans and children living in poverty — 1 by 1. Our business gave us the platform from which to launch that vision, and it’s why our goal is that 82% of every gift is allocated directly to the children’s work in the ministry. That’s the power of a business dedicated to God’s mission.
I strongly believe Christian business people should be asking God if they should be using their business in a similar way. Just saying yes to God’s prompt to join a mission team changed the future for Beth, our three children, and myself.
David Ryan
Pst., B. Min
Founder and Snr. Leader of ChinaHeart International and Heart For Kids
If this story moved you, here are three ways to take a next step: David often speaks with churches, social clubs and other groups, and is available to speak with yours – please message us.
You can also learn more about our mission and our WHY, or sponsor a child today.
