08/22/2026
Marcus Ratledge had been part of our church family his entire life. At Alive, he was often the quiet guy—content to hang out, participate, and enjoy being part of things without needing the attention on him. He loved creative problem-solving, working with his hands, and creating things.
Marcus faithfully served on Sunday mornings and was a valued helper with our preschoolers. He was one of those young people I was simply waiting and excited to watch grow, knowing there was so much continued awesomeness ahead of him.
Yesterday, Marcus tragically and unexpectedly lost his life. There are no words big enough to express the gravity of losing him so soon. The gap his absence leaves in our church and community is immense.
To our students: Today, I encourage you to remember and celebrate the friend, peer, and exceptional young man Marcus was. Please pray for his loving parents, his brothers and sisters, his extended family, and for one another as his church family and community grieve this unimaginable loss.
Please also pray for the healing and recovery of Marcus’s brother, MacGyver, and his dad, Bill, who were injured in the accident.
If you need to talk, pray, or simply have someone sit with you, please reach out. You do not have to carry this grief alone.
—Crystal
