Ron Ramsey

Bishop of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA

Ron Ramsey is Bishop of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA. He was elected to that position in June of 2005. In that role he spearheaded the formation of Healthy Ministry Resources and oversees its work.

Before taking that position, Ron served 12 years as pastor of the Main Street UB church in Walbridge, Ohio. He 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 more than doubled in size to a congregation of 600. They 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 were purchased, and plans are in place to build a new church complex.

Prior to accepting the senior pastor role at Main Street, Ron worked 13 years with Scripture Press Publications, Inc., Wheaton, Ill. He began as Field Rep covering the Great Lakes Area, and then moved into other roles--a Marketing Manager, Director of Marketing Operations, and National Sales Director. He finally spent four years as Executive Director of Scripture Press Ministries, the 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 with the United Brethren church in Ohio and 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 during his years at Main Street. 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 and his wife, E. J., have two grown children.