Pastor Ron is from Chicago and then grew up much of his life in a suburb called Des Plaines. He attended college in Santa Barbara and seminary at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. His year long internships was in Liberia, West Africa in Suacoco in the interior jungle area. He spent one year after seminary as a chaplain working in cancer wards. He then worked for a year as a house parent in Cuernavaca, Mexico. He was called to serve in a bi-lingual parish in the Chicago area and then he and his wife were called to serve in the LA area for 8 years. He then went to St. Mary and St. Martha Lutheran Church beginning in 1991 which is a bilingual parish in the mission district. He has traveled in 60 countries and enjoys playing tennis and swimming laps. He has been in a master swim program for 10 years. He and Rita have no children but enjoy their dog, “Zola”. Pastor Ron likes reading, kayaking, traveling, and is a people person. Serving God and the church are his delight.