Ron Alan Morris Obituary
A Memorial Service has been scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 3, 2023 in the Leonard-Marker Funeral Home Chapel.
After attending Jimmy Swaggart Bible college in 1987-88 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Ron began his public ministry as a Youth Pastor at Word of Grace Church in downtown Tulsa. Pastor Phil Johnson recognized the calling of God on Ron's life and gave him an opportunity to minister there. Ron's ministry saw a fruitful growth in the youth group, mostly of kids who came from troubled homes. He used his musical talents as well in church, playing guitar. He wrote lyrics and melodies for many songs. His next ministry opportunity came in Bixby where he worked with the youth from the Church of God of the Apostolic Faith. Ron also began to preach more from the pulpit, developing his gift of teaching.
Older ministers recognized his gift, given by the Holy Spirit, of the teaching and pastoral ministry and would take him under their wing and mentor him. Pastor Joe Edmonson of the Church of God was one of those and helped Ron to achieve success in the denomination. Ron came under the teaching of Dr. R. C. Sproul, whose ministry was based in Florida, and devoured everything that he taught. His favorite book by Dr. Sproul was Chosen by God. During these early ministry years in the 1990's, Ron earned a bachelor's degree from Oral Roberts University and a second bachelor's degree from the University of Biblical Studies. Ron met Wayne and Joyce Taylor and their kids Shane and Shawna. Their little church in Jenks was seeking a pastor, and Ron was the perfect fit for the job. The church, Living Word, grew under Ron as pastor. His teaching style was dynamic, and he was growing in knowledge. It became time to plant a church in Bixby, so Living Word sent Ron, with their blessing, to plant Covenant Community Church. The church grew and people came to know the Lord under Ron's teaching ministry.
At that time, he was seeking more knowledge. So, in the Winter of 1995, he moved his family to Denver to attend Denver Seminary. During his seminary years, he pastored a Baptist church on the eastern plains of Colorado called Wellspring Baptist Church. He was mentored by Church Planter, George Garner, as well as Elder Keith Marr. Many large, home-schooling families joined, and the church grew. Ron transferred from Denver Seminary to New Geneva Theological Seminary in Colorado Springs where he earned his Master's Degree in Biblical Studies. In the late 1990's Ron met Dorman Savage from the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS). Reverend Savage was pastoring a church in Limon, Colorado. Through this association, he heard of a church in Mitchell, South Dakota that was looking for a pastor.
On March 25, 1999, Ron and his family moved from Colorado to South Dakota and began a fruitful time of ministry there. He had 2 radio programs, one in Mitchell and one out of Omaha, Nebraska. He pastored Grace Reformed Church in Mitchell, and later, Trinity Reformed Church in Sioux Falls. Elder Spencer Gross from Mitchell was a great influence in his life. Both churches experienced tremendous growth and Ron oversaw each church's building project as they added additional space for education and fellowship. It was a full and exciting time of ministry. Ron became the President of Synod, the regional group of RCUS churches, and was president for 8 years. One big highlight was hosting Synod at Grace Reformed Church in Mitchell. He was also a professor at the Heidelberg Theological Seminary in Sioux Falls.
Ron was very well liked by all who knew him, he was easy to talk to, and had the best sense of humor ever. He was known mostly for his amazing teaching ministry and gift to explain the Scriptures in common language. He was known for his compassion for the children and elderly, and for his great skills in counseling and comforting people in times of grief. He performed countless baptisms, weddings, and funerals, and presided over untold ceremonies for all occasions. He was a much sought after public speaker for graduations and banquets. He and Reverend Howard Hart of Mitchell were known far and wide for their standup routine at informal gatherings. He was a favorite at youth camp every year in the Black Hills. He would always get a standing ovation from the youth (for no apparent reason!) when he took the stage. His ministry spanned over 25 years. His teaching ministry influenced generations, and still lives on to this day in the lives of those he taught.
