Ed Morvay presented Ryan Briggs, Outlaw's Burger Barn & Creamery, with the Vocational Service Award for 2024. 

Ryan Briggs, a lifelong resident of Cumberland County, has always aspired to make a positive impact on his community. In January 2016, he felt that God aligned his passion with his purpose, opening the door for him to serve his community through his love of cooking.

Ryan’s journey in the restaurant industry began humbly at age 14 when he took on his first role as a dishwasher and "toast master extraordinaire." Though he was quickly dismissed from that position with a discouraging critique, the experience fueled his determination, driving him through 27 years of culinary growth. He went on to attend culinary school, earn a degree in baking and pastries, and work as a line cook and sous chef at a fine dining establishment before founding Outlaw’s Burger Barn & Creamery in 2016.

Through Outlaw’s, God has aligned Ryan’s passion for cooking with his life’s purpose: to serve others and point them toward Jesus. Over the past 12 years as a missionary, he has led outreach efforts across Haiti, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Ghana, Mexico, and throughout the United States. He believes deeply in the privilege and responsibility to share the good news of the gospel whenever and wherever possible.

While Ryan’s international missions have been fulfilling, he holds firmly to the belief that “we cannot ever cross the ocean to serve before we cross the street to serve.” His most dedicated outreach efforts take place in his hometown of Vineland, where he collaborates with local churches and organizations to tackle issues like homelessness, addiction, hunger, and hopelessness, offering those in need a safe place and a helping hand.

Outlaw’s also serves as a platform for community aid through a “pop-up” setup, providing free meals, clothing, toiletries, and prayer to those most in need. By 2026, he hopes to launch Outlaw’s own missionary program, developing and mentoring individuals to serve both domestically and abroad.

Beyond his outreach, Ryan has spent the last decade coaching local youth baseball and basketball, where he strives to instill values of faith, excellence, resilience, and perseverance, preparing young people for a purposeful life.

Ryan does not think anything he does is extraordinary, but he believes that when we submit to an extraordinary God, we are able to accomplish far more than we could ever dream of. He attributes all his achievements to his faith in God, alongside the unwavering support of his wife, Erin, and their three children: Mason, Emma, and Noah.

Ryan is thankful for the blessings and purpose in his life, and he gives all glory to God.

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Several past recipients of the Vocational Service Award were in attendance (shown above) including:

Ginger Chase (2010), Kathy Farinaccio (2007), Gary Galloway (2008), Harry Hearing (2016), Lilly Kejzman (2011), Brian Lankin (2023), Dr. Tom McCann (2012), George Perez (2013), Dr. Shelly O. Schneider (2019), and John Casadia (1992).