Meet Joab Rico: Christian Author, Educator, Coach & Evangelist
Updated: 3 days ago
REAL FAITH. REAL PEOPLE. REAL ETERNITY.
The Heart Behind the Mission
Joab (Coach Rico) Rico is a Christian author, educator, coach, evangelist, and speaker. His work grows out of nearly three decades serving students, athletes, families, churches, and ministry communities. He believes the glory of Jesus Christ is too precious to admire from a distance and too good to keep to ourselves.
The mission is simple: REACH THE LOST. TRAIN THE REACHED. UNTIL ALL THE LOST ARE REACHED. The work combines gospel proclamation, Bible teaching, thoughtful discipleship, literature, and encouragement for people facing the real questions of everyday life.
From the Classroom to the Mission Field
As a Georgia educator and coach, Joab has spent much of his career working with young people. He values patient conversation, clear teaching, personal encouragement, and leadership shaped by conviction and care. Through church and Fellowship of Christian Athletes ministry, he seeks to help students encounter the claims of Jesus Christ and learn what it means to follow him.
His writing and speaking are rooted in the authority of Scripture and the conviction that the crucified and risen Christ—not a personality, a platform, or a publishing project—is the Savior worth proclaiming.
Books That Carry the Mission
The Heat Seeking Mission: The Glory of Jesus Christ in Seeking and Saving the Lost is available in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover editions. The Lamb of God Is the G.O.A.T. of Goats brings Christian theology into conversation with athletics, sacrifice, leadership, and the true meaning of a champion. Additional Kindle projects explore Christian formation, biblical reflection, and work.
Research and editorial projects currently in development include Howell Harris on the Christian Life, Charles Wesley on the Christian Life, Sober Intoxication, and its companion Intoxicating Sobriety. These projects are not represented as accepted by a particular publishing house.
Author Services and Speaking
Joab also founded RICO BRO PUB, an emerging author-services venture helping aspiring writers develop and prepare book projects while retaining ownership of their work. He welcomes appropriate invitations to preach, teach, speak, and collaborate with churches, schools, ministries, coaches, and publishing partners.
The Savior is the center. Real people are the neighbors we seek to serve. Real eternity is the horizon that makes this mission urgent.
Author Bibliography - October 2026
INDEPENDENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS (2026): The Heat Seeking Mission: The Glory of Jesus Christ in Seeking and Saving the Lost (Kindle, paperback, hardcover); The Lamb of God Is the G.O.A.T. of Goats (Kindle and paperback); Catch and Release us: From Jonah to Jesus (Kindle); ROMANS by PAUL: Ravished and Redeemed by the Righteousness of God (Kindle); and The Magnificent Hustle (Kindle). These are independent publishing projects, not Crossway publications.
Forthcoming / Manuscripts in Development
HISTORICAL THEOLOGY: Howell Harris on the Christian Life: The Fire of God and the Salvation of Souls; Charles Wesley on the Christian Life: The Sweet Singer of the Great Awakening & Unsung Hero Preacher; John Donne on the Christian Life; and Robert Murray M'Cheyne on the Christian Life.
BIBLICAL STUDIES & CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP: JOAB: The King's Bloody Right Hand; Sober Intoxication; Intoxicating Sobriety; Crushed by Jesus: The Ministry of a Merciless Mercy; Familiar Spirits: Discernment, Deliverance, and the Authority of Jesus Christ; The God Who Laughs Last; The Philosopher's Stone and the Cornerstone; and The Gorgeous Christ.
ATHLETICS & LEADERSHIP: The Champion & The Cheat Code, coauthored with Coach Ethan Taylor (Taylor credited first).
These additional books are author-owned manuscripts, working proofs, or planned projects. 'Forthcoming' indicates an editorial project in preparation, not a signed publishing contract, confirmed release date, or Crossway endorsement.
Joab's formal education includes a Master of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary (2004) and a B.A. in Philosophy from Bethel University (2000), with a minor in English literature and Koine biblical Greek.
A Personal Tribute to Pastor John Piper
Joab Rico attended Bethlehem Baptist Church during his Bethel University years (1996–2000). He credits the ministry of Pastor John Piper's preaching with helping awaken his call to preach Christ. His forthcoming project John Piper on the Christian Life: The Glory of God and the Joy of Christ is a personal tribute and independent theological study. A separate manuscript, Desiring Jesus: The Savior Is the Satisfier, likewise explores Christ-centered joy. Neither title is endorsed, commissioned, coauthored, or scheduled for publication by John Piper or a publisher.
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