Biographic Information for Amy Ruhf-Brien
Amy Ruhf-Brien is an ordained Presbyterian (USA) Minister of Word and Sacrament, and graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary. Currently, Amy serves as an active-duty chaplain in the United States Navy, fulfilling her role as deputy command chaplain at the Naval Station Mayport Chapel in Florida. Her journey includes a rewarding previous assignment at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (boot camp) in San Diego, California.
Originally from Ambler, Pennsylvania, she completed her undergraduate studies at Messiah College, in sports medicine in 2008. Then she earned a Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from California University of Pennsylvania (now
Penn West) in 2011. Her experience as an athletic trainer in the Lower Moreland School District involved providing care and rehabilitation for 600 student athletes. She saw her work there as a ministry in its own right and she began to take a broader view of what ministry looks like.
After a decade in sports medicine, she felt a powerful call to formal ministry. Attending Princeton Theological Seminary, she earned her Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in 2019 and completed a Clinical Pastoral Education Residency at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She then accepted a position at the First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she had the privilege to serve from 2019-2021.
In November 2020, she received a commission into Naval Chaplaincy, driven by a deep love and compassion for those who serve, and a commitment to their spiritual health amid challenges. From 2021 to 2024, she served as chaplain for the First Recruit Training Battalion at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, providing spiritual readiness, support, and guidance for over 17,000 Marines and recruits. She also contributed as the training officer for the religious ministry team and as a member of the Professional Advisory Group for the San Diego VA Clinical Pastoral Education Program.
In 2024, she was honored to serve as chaplain aboard the USS Delbert D. Black. After a brief period, she joined the staff at Naval Station Mayport’s Chapel, where she provided spiritual care for active-duty service members, their families, and retirees. During her time in Mayport, she oversaw a renovation project for the base chapel, and implemented improvements to strengthen our ministry. By establishing policies and procedures, she helped bring stability and growth after a challenging period of leadership changes. She regularly preached in Sunday services, conducted weddings and funerals, visited those in the hospital, and offered confidential counseling to all.
She is currently in the final third of her Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program at Vanderbilt Divinity School, focusing on mental health integrated chaplaincy. Her commitment is to walk alongside others, meeting their spiritual, physical, and emotional needs. In our divided society, she aspires to be an instrument that breaks down barriers. With a deep concern for justice, she seek to empower individuals to engage with their communities and embody love for their neighbors. Her mission is to bloom where she is planted, serving with enthusiasm, creativity, love, and compassion.
Happily married to her wife, Lisa, they share life with two adult daughters, Keri and Emily. They are thrilled to welcome their first grandchild this summer. In her free time, she finds joy in horseback riding and the presence of horses. She embraces the outdoors through walking, backpacking, camping and fly fishing. She also enjoys singing, playing handbells, reading, woodworking projects, leatherwork, and creating Pysanky eggs. Amy and Lisa, as foodies, delight in exploring new restaurants and cuisines.
Amy is very eager to begin her service with The United Church of Big Rapids and is excited for the ministry that we will do together.