From the Ring to the Redemption: Ethen Raunio’s Journey of Faith
In the world of professional wrestling, everything is about the "right now." It’s a world of bright lights, adrenaline, and what Ethen Raunio calls "living in the flesh"—a lifestyle where you are often the center of your own universe, and the needs of others rarely make the bill.
But if you ask Ethen today, he’ll tell you that the greatest "match" he ever participated in wasn’t in a ring in Green Bay; it was the struggle for his own soul. Today, Ethen's life looks a lot different. The man who once lived for himself is now finding his identity in the Trinity, trading a disregard for others for a heart on fire for the Gospel.
The Valley of Foreclosure
Ethen’s "180" didn’t happen overnight. It was born out of a series of "valleys" that began in the summer of 2023. After a decade-long relationship ended due to a betrayal of trust, Ethen found himself spiraling.
"I had a period of time where I was just full-on into the single life and not really caring," Ethen admits. "But late last winter, I became unhappy with how my actions were affecting people. I wanted to be closer to God."
The turning point came in a flurry of hardship: a personal betrayal by a friend, an arrest for possession of THC, and three days spent in a jail cell waiting to see a judge. It was a humbling rock bottom, but it was exactly where God wanted him.
Signs in the Gym and on the Screen
While out on bail—which required total sobriety—Ethen started noticing "signs" everywhere. It started with Facebook reels from a church in Nashville that seemed to speak directly to his situation. Then came a life-changing encounter at the gym.
While at the gym one night, a man Ethen had never met before approached him in the lockerroom. "He asked me, 'Do you believe in Jesus Christ? If you die today, would you go to heaven?'" Ethen recalls. They talked for 45 minutes. Ethen never saw the man again, but the message was clear: It was time to go to church.
Ethen began "church shopping" and found Green Bay Community Church. He walked in during a series on "Deconstruction." Between the message and the discovery of the frisbee golf course on-site, Ethen knew he had found his home. He hasn't missed a Sunday since.
Blue Collar Theater and Prayerful Combat
For Ethen, faith didn't mean leaving his passions behind; it meant redeeming them. As a professional wrestler and promoter, he now views the ring as "blue collar theater"—a place where people can escape and hear a story. But now, the story includes a higher power.
"I’ve always prayed before I perform," Ethen says, "but since I accepted Christ, I talk to the person I’m going to wrestle. I ask, 'Hey, do you pray?'"
Sitting and praying with an opponent before a "violent dance" has become a powerful ritual for Ethen. "We ask God to protect us and guide us to do His will. It builds an extra bond. I’ve come to understand that maybe my plan isn’t just to be the wrestler, but to be the guy who creates a place for people to thrive."
A Public Declaration
This past Easter, Ethen "pulled the trigger" on a decision he had been feeling in his spirit for months: believer's baptism. Though he was baptized as a child, he felt a deep need for a public declaration of his faith.
"Coming out of the water, it was a rush of emotion—like a wave," Ethen describes. "There was a sense of relief and acceptance. I realized that regardless of what’s gone on in my life, I’m loved."
The impact was immediate. Not only did Ethen find the strength to truly forgive those who had wronged him in the past, but his journey sparked a light in his own family. His mother, inspired by his change, attended the baptism and has since seen her own faith "catch fire," even attending her own What Comes Next small group.
The Takeaway: You Are Never Too Lost
Ethen’s story is a testament to the fact that God doesn't wait for us to be perfect to use us.
"The longer you try to chase Him, the sooner you find out He’s been walking next to you the entire time," Ethen says. "He doesn’t use perfect people; He uses the broken and those who feel they are lost. You just have to allow yourself to be humbled."
From the construction sites of bank-owned foreclosures to the wrestling rings of Wisconsin, Ethen Raunio is living proof that no matter how many times you veer off the path, there is always a way back home.
Written by Mary Deckert
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