PASTOR RON WELLER (Senior Pastor)

I was born and raised into a large family of 10 brothers and 3 sisters in central Minnesota. I attended Church in my younger years and knew the basics of Christianity for about 21 years before the LORD put it in my mind to inquire more about the gospel. I attended St. Cloud State U. where I became friends with a Christian student who shared just a short testimony of the life changing power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. About two months after this encounter, Campus Crusade for Christ contacted me about a Bible Study. I turned down the invitation about 5 times before I finally relented. I heard the gospel explained at that meeting and I also received a short booklet called the 4 spiritual laws. I kept that little booklet for about one year. One evening in April of 1979 I read that little booklet over and over again; and though I did not completely understand the content, I prayed the prayer at the end and cried out to God asking for forgiveness. I experienced a powerful change in that very moment and thus surrendered by faith to the Lord and to be His disciple. I knew I was forgiven and that something had dramatically changed in my inner being. After I was converted, I decided to move to Menomonie, WI to do graduate work.

In Menomonie I was discipled for about two years by two men in my local Church. I became an elder in the Church and there also met my wife, Heather. We were married in 1981 and two years later (by the counsel of Church elders) decided to go to Seminary to prepare for vocational ministry. We attended Columbia Biblical Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina, and graduated with a M. Div. in North American Ministry. Our first child Justin was born in 1983, Nathanael was born in 1985, Carissa was born in 1987, Joel was born in 1989, Tim was born in 1992, and lastly Sarah was born in 1995. Ron has served Churches in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. The Weller family recreates by reading, fishing, hunting, boating, and they generally enjoy all outdoor activities.