Ron Ramsey

Ron Ramsey is one of two candidates for bishop of the US National Conference in 2005. You can also read his vision statement.

Ronald ("Ron") Ramsey is the senior pastor of Main Street Church, Walbridge, Ohio. He has been in this position since October 1993. During these years Ron has led the church through transitions moving from traditional to culturally relevant ministry methods (centered in evangelism/discipleship), changing administrative structures, and mentoring multiple staff to accommodate growth. Main Street has more than doubled in size and currently they are a congregation of 600. They recently began simulcasting one of the three morning worship services into their gym to create additional seating. Forty-two acres of property just south of the present site have been purchased, and plans are in place to build a new church complex.

Prior to coming to Main Street, Ron worked 13 years with Scripture Press Publications, Inc., Wheaton, Ill. He began as Field Rep covering the Great Lakes Area, became a Marketing Manager, Director of Marketing Operations, National Sales Director, and finally spent four years as the Executive Director of Scripture Press Ministries, a not-for-profit foundation that owned Scripture Press Publications.

In his various capacities with Scripture Press, Ron traveled extensively ministering in the areas of Christian education, church growth, and leadership. This resulted in national and international relationships throughout the United States, Canada, and overseas, and opportunities to observe various methods of ministry and administration in churches and Christian organizations in their cultural setting. He was also the executive editor of the Christian Education Journal, a publication for professionals in Christian education.

Before joining Scripture Press Publications, Ron spent four years as the Associate Director of Church Services for the United Brethren Church. He developed the marketing department for the denomination and conducted Christian education and leadership seminars throughout the denomination. While with Scripture Press, Ron served the denomination for eight years as chairman of the Board of Church Services. He has served on conference councils, stationing committees, boards of ministerial relations, and as conference superintendent.

Ron also has 12 years of pastoral experience in the Auglaize-Scioto Conference (now Central) and the Pacific Conference (now California).

Born into a minister's family, Ron graduated from Thurston High School, Thurston, Ohio, class of 1958. He then attended the College of William & Mary on a basketball scholarship from 1958-60. Ron was converted to Christ during a revival service in the Maple Grove United Brethren Church near Baltimore, Ohio, in 1962. He was mentored into the ministry by his pastor, Rev. Herbert Householder, and ordained by Scioto Conference in 1967.

Ron's passion is seeing people converted and becoming fully devoted followers of Christ. He has been blessed to see God call 16 persons to Christian ministry, 14 of those in the last 12 years. Five are serving on staff at Main Street, six in missions, and five in other church ministries.

Ron graduated from Huntington University with an AB in Bible in 1967, and in 1990 from Wheaton Graduate School, Wheaton, Ill., with a MA in Interdisciplinary Studies. He is currently taking pastoral counseling classes at Huntington University Graduate School.

Ron and his wife, EJ, have been married 45 years. They have a married daughter, a son, one granddaughter, and two grandsons.