I wasn’t expecting this one to come up today. This will be tough…
How we met:
I met Jon Ruby when we moved up here to Ottawa. I think that I heard him before I actually saw him. “Hey! Hey! Aaahioooohey! Whooooo!”- I’m pretty sure these are the first words I ever heard from Jon.
Three things I appreciate about Jon:
1. In Jon’s mind it is just him and Jesus. I’d love to see what the world looks like through Jon’s eyes.
2. Jon is relentless in his love for the lost. I couldn’t even begin to touch the tip of the iceberg in a single post of what a blessing and impact Jon is on this city and the people here. He is truly anointed and the Lord is using him in a huge way. Much more than any of us really know, I’m sure.
3. Jon is a huge testimony of the power of the Holy Spirit in someone’s life. You want to know if God has the power to completely transform someone, and not just transform them but use them for amazing things in a way so radical it’s reminiscent of the change that took place on the road to Damascus? Spend some time with Jon Ruby.
My favorite memory of Jon:
A memory of Jon that I will probably never forget was from a weekend that we spent in Montreal. We stayed in a very strange house that we had rented for the weekend. When we walked in, without hesitation, Jon looked around for a minute and in Jon volume(which is always really really loud) he yelled, “This place looks like the inside of a crackhead’s brain!” Once we got settled into the crackhead’s brain of a house, Jon, myself, and a few other had to leave to go to the airport to pick up Kristian Landry who was flying in from Toronto. His flight didn’t get in until 2am, which gave Jon more than enough time to get restless. After we picked up Kristian Jon wanted to swing by McDonald’s to grab a late night snack. As we pulled up to the window, all of us a little hungry, Jon looked around the van an counted. There were six of us. Again, without hesitation(because that is how Jon does everything) or consulting with the rest of us, he yells to the drive through speaker on behalf of us all, “We want 12 Big Macs!!!… and an ice cream sundae.” “We don’t have any ice cream right now,” they said. I won’t tell you what happened next but let’s just say it was an interesting night. I love Jon and I am honored to be his brother and friend. I know that there are many others who share the same feelings I do.
July 29th, 2011 at 11:21 am
JON RUBY – Not Jon, or Mr. Ruby or even RUBY — JON RUBY!!! When he is spoken of in our fam – it’s always Jon Ruby – especially love it when Ruthie says it…
Jon – I’ve already told you – you have NO IDEA how much you have touched our family and our hearts! You are indeed a light that shines brightly and brilliantly, proclaiming the grace and the love of our Savior. I love that you do not compromise and that you seek to be a watchman.
Thank you Jon, for being such a good friend to my son. Thank you for your hospitality, your encouragement, your accountability and your endless love.
TRULY – I love you dearly!
Kari
July 29th, 2011 at 11:33 am
Jon most definitely is a massive blessing to the people that know him. I remember taking a neighbor of mine, struggling with alcoholism, to Celebrate Recovery. I was really hoping to see Jon there and chat with him and my friend about my friend beginning the process of moving into a Jericho house. I introduced my friend to Jon, but we had to wait for a couple minutes to talk with Jon (people naturally gravitate to him for his humor and genuine love, so we had to wait a bit!). My friend became impatient and left CR in a huff, calling Jon a ‘big shot’ and not having any time for him etc. I talked to Jon after things died down and he nailed my friend’s issue INSTANTLY. I was really encouraged in that moment to seeing that what people and the enemy intend for evil in Jon’s life, the Lord intended for good!(It also encouraged me to keep praying and going after my friend!)
Jon has gone through crazy stuff in his life, but God is using those experiences, flavored with His grace and love, to see chains broken, lives set free and people taken from the kingdom of darkness to the KINGDOM OF LIGHT!
I really feel blessed to know you Jon! Lots of love brothaaaaaaaaaaaa!
July 29th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
I feel like I died and everybody is saying good things about me. I love you all. shine bright.
July 29th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
J-Rubs is simply the best! Another one of those people who makes you feel comfortable in any setting. Well, unless he’s trying to embarrass you.
That’s what I would say at your funeral Jon Ruby. And then I would go get some Cold Stone ice cream.
August 1st, 2011 at 11:22 am
Oh man, Jon Ruby (and his wife of course) were the icing on the cake during our winter Canadian experience! You guys are awesome and a blessing to those who meet you!
August 6th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
I’ve been waiting for this one! So many memories!
But, I must say that the picture makes me crack up! Jon, looking lost while having a huge bowl of soup, with the hot sauce in the place of a drink.
I love that guy…
August 7th, 2011 at 10:01 am
Everything you wrote Ryan sums up Jon!
Hey Jon, Thanks for being that honest, crazy, amazing big brother!
The first time I came to Calvary Fellowship was 2 and a half years ago. That was when it was at the Bronson Centre. I was a little afraid that day because I came all by myself and was taking a step of faith to go. I didn’t know ANYONE and as I looked around and saw about 25 to 30 people all in their 30′s and up, I was a bit skeptical, but as I continued to step in, and was getting myself ready to meet all these strangers, low and behold the first person to talk to me was Jon Ruby. I remember him as the very, very outgoing guy who works with men who have addictions and he remembers me as the girl with the bunny mittens. Then three weeks later when I dared to come back, there was Jon again, ready to say hello and what shocked me was that he remembered my name (and my mittens). One huge reason why I came to Calvary is because of Jon (and Vikki of course!). He welcomed me with opened arms, and even when Andy said to me that I should go to another church because other churches have young adults in them. Jon and Vikki were not willing to let me go. They became my good friends and were very happy to have me stay. We’ve been through a lot in 2 and a half years, but Jon has been an amazing big brother to me! Thank you Jon for everything you’ve done!