Ra McLaughlin is a native of Los Angeles, California, where he earned his B.A. in English at UCLA. He also holds an M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida.
In California, Ra worked for many years as a business manager and legal assistant at a law firm in Brentwood. He performed as a bassist in the Los Angeles and Hollywood club circuits, worked as a studio bassist, and served as worship leader for the church Sanctuary, Hollywood.
In Orlando, Ra began ministering with Ligonier Ministries. He served Ligonier in a variety of capacities, including as the manager and editor of Tabletalk Magazine, and as audio technician for studio recording sessions. He has also worked as a live audio technician, narrator, high school literature and composition teacher, and Greek teaching assistant. His volunteer activities have included: teaching seminary, adult and high school Sunday school, and elementary and pre-school children's church; performing guitar, bass and vocals for church worship teams; and serving as a Cub Scout den leader.
Ra's publications include the Christian Essentials series (P&R, 2022), for which he is general editor and contributed the volumes The Life and Work of Jesus and The Nature and Work of the Holy Spirit; the NLT Discover God Study Bible (Tyndale, 2007; ECPA Christian Book Award winner), for which he was both a contributor and an editor; and the NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible (Zondervan, 2003; ECPA Gold Medallion nominee), for which he served as Associate General Editor. He has also written for Tabletalk Magazine, Biblical Perspectives Magazine, and Third Millennium's Q&A Knowledgebase, as well as provided ghost writing for Bible commentaries.
Ra began serving with Third Millennium Ministries in 1998. He currently oversees Third Millennium's operations, finances, and content delivery systems.