Ryan Delamater – Part 2 of 4 – The Unlikely Places Churches Begin

In Part 2 of Ralph’s conversation with Ryan Delamater, founder of OCNWTR, the story moves from personal calling to multiplication. Ryan shares how God brought unexpected partners into his life — from a world-class jiu-jitsu champion in San Clemente to young leaders in El Salvador, Germany, Sweden, and Argentina.

What began as a Bible study in a jiu-jitsu studio grew into Grapple Chapel, a movement of discipleship communities spreading across continents. Along the way, Ryan and his team pioneered creative water projects, combining boat desalination systems with solar power, even catching the attention of MIT’s Water Summit.

This episode highlights how scarcity can fuel innovation, how giving away leadership multiplies impact, and how God can use unconventional spaces — coffee shops, gyms, and even grappling mats — to plant churches and change lives.