Ron is the founding pastor of La Croix. La Croix began in a rented movie theatre in Cape Girardeau and has grown to over 2,200 in worship attendance and two locations in SE Missouri. His role is to give direction to the spiritual life of the church and is the primary teacher on the weekend.

EDUCATION

B.A. from Missouri Baptist College, 1982

M. Div. from Oral Roberts University School of Theology, 1985

PROFESSIONAL

Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, 1987

Full Member, Missouri Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

Chairperson: Missouri East Conference Congregational Development Team, 1996-2000

Member: Missouri Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, 2000-2004

Chairperson: Missouri Conference Congregational Development Team, 2004-2012

Member: Bishop’s Pathways’ Task Force, 2005-2007

Healthy Church Initiative Coach and Ministry Consultant, 2008-2016

Pastoral Leadership Development Instructor, 2009-2012

RSI Pastoral Advisory Board Member, 2010-2016

Chairperson: Missouri Conference Camping & Retreat Ministries Board, 2012-2016

Chairperson: Next Generation Ministries Team, 2016-2020

General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegate of the UMC, 2008, 2012, 2016

Co-Chairperson of the second Bishop’s Pathways Task Force, 2018-Present

EXPERIENCE

Youth Pastor, Immanuel United Methodist Church, St. Louis, 1979-1982

Site Director, Destination Discovery, Tulsa, OK, 1983-1985

Pastor, Leadwood/Irondale United Methodist Churches, 1985-1988

Camp Director for middle school camp at Epworth and Blue Mountain, 1988- 2009

Founding and Senior Pastor, La Croix United Methodist Church, 1988-Present

HONORS

Graduated “With Honors” from ORU School of Theology

Conference Denman Evangelism Award, 1990

John J. and Emma “Sunny” Taylor Service Award (Camping Ministries), 2002

PERSONAL

Married since 1982: Linda

Children: Linda and I have four grown children, all married, and four grandchildren with two on the way.