As Chapter Director of Ratio Christi at Liberty University, it has been my joy and privilege to watch Hunter grow in his faith and in his talent to lovingly share reasons for the truth of the gospel. Beyond contributing valuable insight to our discussions, he is equally capable and willing to share his testimony with those outside. When representing Ratio Christi at our church Missionary Conference, Hunter’s kind, captivating demeanor was evident, whether he was sharing at our table or speaking before a group. Hunter is always prepared to give reasons for the hope that he has found in Christ, and he does so with gentleness and respect!
Dighton Head, Chapter Director of Ratio Christi at Liberty University
When did you come to Christ as Lord and Savior, and how did that come about?
I grew up in a loving Christian family who attended church any time the doors were open. I was what some would have considered a great kid and could be known as a Sunday-school teachers’ pet, knowing all the verses and biblical accounts required to earn adoration, points for my team, or Awana bucks. I could probably even tell you what the gospel was and why Jesus had to die, but Jesus wasn’t my Lord. It wasn’t until, at 9 years old, my heart was convicted of my fallen nature compared to a holy and righteous God. I knew I was lost and was moved, as if I had heard it for the first time, by the undeserved love that was shown to me through the death of Christ on the cross in paying the debt I deserved to pay. Now, with Christ as my King, I can strive to learn his word for his ultimate glory and not my own.
In your high school church youth group, how much did you learn about the Christian faith and reasons to believe?
During my earlier upbringing, my church’s youth group was firmly planted on the teaching of the truth of God’s word. It was here that my understanding of the purpose of scripture was acquired and aided me in addressing the difficult questions that arose later in my life. We did not learn about arguments for the existence of God (ontological, teleological et cetera) but no message was wasted in searching through the scriptures.
How did you become interested in apologetics, and how did you get involved with Ratio Christi?
My interest in apologetics truly sparked after watching Ben Steins’ documentary, Expelled. This documentary explored the current perspective of academia on the freedom of inquiry in the scientific disciplines, specifically on the topic of Evolution and the resurging perspective of Intelligent Design. This documentary opened my eyes to the many holes in the Neo-Darwinian ideology and to the suppression of oppositional perspectives of the current scientific evidence. I was unsettled by the unfair treatment of those that weren’t convinced of Darwin’s theory and wished to learn more about the movement. The rest is history.
What impact has the Ratio Christi College Prep ministry had on your walk with God and your personal ministry?
Ratio Christi at Liberty University has been an invaluable resource to me in my pursuit of Christ and the truth that aligns with him. When I first came to Liberty, I was greatly passionate about growing in the wisdom of God using apologetics and eagerly got connected to the campus chapter. Topics such as the grounding of morality, the authority of scripture, the evidence for the resurrection, and the problem of evil were deeply analyzed and discussed. This time of study was of great encouragement to me and was refreshing after long days of classes. These meetings were great reminders of the joy that is found in the fellowship of believers studying the many evidences of the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving savior who gave himself to redeem his people from their sin (Romans 5:8).
What is this RC chapter like?
The club encouraged its’ members to honor the Lord with not just their heart, soul, and strength, but also with their mind (Mark 12:30), striving to be God-honoring workmen (2 Timothy 2:15).
What were some of your favorite areas of involvement with your local RCCP chapter?
I enjoyed the opportunity to talk with people with differing views at our chapter events or during tabling sessions on campus. Additionally, I enjoyed fellowshipping in the Joy of the Lord with my fellow RC brothers and sisters.
What does the your Legatus Christi award mean to you?
It means God can even take this worm-like-wretch called Hunter Pratt and make him new and more like him. Wow, what a savior
How do you envision taking the apologetics you have learned through Ratio Christi into your future endeavors?
Ultimately, I look to use these tools I have acquired through Ratio Christi to build up those around me in every season of my life to look to Christ for salvation and to become more like him.
What are your short and long-term career/ministry/mission plans?
Soon, I look to start working and building a broader foundation in my understanding of God’s creation using my Environmental Biology degree, teaching others of the marvelous works of God. In the future, I plan to study theology and apologetics at the master’s level. I would be interested in teaching fellow followers of Christ and reach those of the lost that are hurt by their past experiences and to help them work through the difficult questions that are prevalent in our culture.
Would you consider coming back to work with your RC chapter, starting one at another school, or working with RC in any other capacity?
I indeed would consider that possibility with great humbleness and teachableness.
What would you say to other students who might be considering getting involved in Ratio Christi, whether they be skeptics, seekers, or believers?
I would encourage them to get involved and seek to have a deeper understanding of who God is and what he desires of us. My approach may be different for each person. For the skeptic, I would encourage him to not look to Christians as his standard but look to the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Through him alone can we find ultimate hope for purpose, life, and relationship. At Ratio Christi, we seek this man. For the seeker, I would describe that there is one who desires to be in relationship with us and says that if we seek him, we will find him (Matthew 7:7). This passage calls us to throw ourselves on the mercy of God as our hope and stay. At Ratio Christi, this is our goal to make this message known. And for the believer, we are called to be workmen that are to study his word unashamedly (2 Tim. 2:15) seeking to glorify him through our lives and pursuits. This pursuit can be fulfilled through the ministry of Ratio Christi.
Galatians 2:20
‘I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.’
Ratio Christi