Righteous Rydez

From the Beginning

Righteous Rydez began over a year before it was formed, or should i say the idea of it did. I was convicted to find a way to use my love of cars, and passion for my craft of painting them, to further God's kingdom. I started working on my plan of taking donated rydez and giving them a custom touch with paintwork, and then making sure they found a home with someone in need. I wrestled with this idea for a while, and just could not figure out why my plan wasn't working. Turns out, that wasn't what God had for me. While on a mission trip, in Guatemala, I heard God speaking to me loud and clear!!! He showed me how to still use that gift, but towards a different goal. The encounter I had with God that week, was completely undeniable. I was called to full time missionary work. WOW!! Now what? I had a calling, but no idea how to pull it off. God then set some key people in my path to walk alongside me. Through the guidance of some astonishing people, including Jessi and Pastor Kyle (board members) Righteous Rydez was born. While we still donate dependable rydez to those that need them, our primary focus is to use those donated rydez, along with monetary gifts, to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the support of missions and missionaries. Consider being a part of Righteous Rydez and select the "get involved" link.

President -- ceo -- missionary

Raymond J. Lighthall IV

Raymond has been Christian for many years, and has volunteered in children's/student ministry at his church for over a decade. Nothing motivates him more than getting to serve. He has been blessed by having 2 amazing kids (now both adults), and feels beyond blessed to be able to use the talents God gave him to help further His kingdom. He has been able to combine his passion for painting cars , working on classic cars, ministry, missions, and serving the Lord. God has done some amazing things in and through his life, and it fills his heart to be able to share God’s hope, and love with the world.

CLA (chief legal advisor) -- secretary -- missionary

Jessi Merlo

Jessi currently lives in Houston, Texas with her husband and three sons. She has been a member of Bear Creek Baptist Church in Katy, Texas for almost 20 years. Jessi and her husband knew they wanted to adopt since they were first married, and eventually adopted their oldest son from the United States foster system when he was eighteen years old. A mission trip to an orphanage in her husband’s hometown of Guatemala City in 2014 would be an experience that would change the trajectory of their lives. She and her husband were so touched by the trip, that orphan care has since become their family mission. They have led numerous annual mission trips to Guatemala and the surrounding rural areas for high school and college-aged students as well as families. When they started this journey, she thought she could help those children and change their lives. However, she feels that her families’ lives are the ones that have been changed and blessed.

CBA (chief biblical advisor) -- VP -- Missionary

Pastor Kyle Wassom

Kyle is a Pastor at Bear Creek Church and has been in ministry since 2007. He married his high school sweetheart, Kelli, in 2011 and they have two beautiful girls, Harper and Hadley. Kyle is passionate about seeing people come alive in Christ and helping them live out the reality that God wants to use them to make Him famous wherever they go. He enjoys spending time with his girls, cheering on his favorite sports teams, 18 holes at a local golf course and great boba tea!