Ryan McAdams has always liked a challenge, especially, he said, when it comes from God.

That explains his decision to run on the Republican Party ticket to challenge 4th District Congressman A. Donald McEachin, a veteran Democratic lawmaker and seasoned attorney.

Mr. McAdams, a 41-year-old pastor who is on leave from his post as senior leader of Agape Mission Church in Williamsburg, said he was “called” two years ago in a spiritual dream urging him to run for the congressional seat to represent the people of his region.

“I’m not running as a swamp preacher,” said Mr. McAdams who, with his wife, has raised four children in Charles City County. “I’m not a career politician,” he said. “I’m not trying to run a negative campaign. I very much support the president. I just don’t like his style.

“Some of the things he says, he tweets, it’s not my tone, not my style,” Mr. McAdams said. “I’m a conservative. I’m not an extreme person.”

Mr. McAdams, who moved with his parents to Williamsburg from California at age 16, traces his appetite for challenges to his high school days. A high school baseball player, he earned the ranking of Virginia High School Player of the Year. That got him a scholarship to Virginia Military Institute. Later, he transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned a bachelor’s in psychology in 1994.

VMI gave him some footing in organization, he said. His career as a social worker for the City of Williamsburg and pastor for the past 20 years helped him put the pieces together in reality, he said.

“I’m a very focused person,” said Mr. McAdams. “I’m running with a laser. I’m focused on winning.”

Vice President Mike Pence stumped for Mr. McAdams last Saturday at a rally and private fundraiser in Downtown in an effort to bolster President Trump’s agenda by preserving the GOP majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. McAdams believes the Affordable Care Act should be repealed and/or defunded with the free market system taking over health care.

He also supports more local control over education, 2nd Amendment gun rights and less government regulation. He also is opposed to a women’s right to choose an abortion and supports state and local programs that would “create positive alternatives.”

On the campaign trail, Mr. McAdams is making a special effort to court and recruit newcomers to the voting process. At last week’s rally, he gave prominent placement to African-American conservatives. Apostle Leon Benjamin Sr., senior pastor of New Life Harvest Church in South Side, led the rally, while the Rev. Calvin Duncan, a former VCU basketball star who is now pastor of Faith & Family Church in South Side, gave the invocation.

Win or lose, Mr. McAdams said, his campaign would be a “glory to God.”