INTENTIONAL INTERIM MINISTER

 

 

The Reverend Ralph S. Wearstler


Rev. Ralph Wearstler is a native of Northeast Ohio who began his ministerial call as a Timothy student of Akron's High Street Christian Church. He followed service as a Chaplain’s Assistant in the United States Air Force by attending Hiram College, later receiving a Masters of Divinity degree from Christian Theological Seminary. In his 28 years of ministry, Rev. Ralph has served four congregations--in Ocala, Florida and Cuyahoga Falls, Mentor and Chardon, Ohio.

Rev. Ralph's special emphasis is on youth ministry, in which he served at both local and regional levels. This included leadership as Assistant Director at Camp Christian's Hiram Conference for the past 23 years. In addition, he and his wife Terri have served as advisors on the Ohio Region's United Nations International Affairs Seminar to Washington D.C. and New York City.

Interested in diverse worship styles, Rev. Ralph has traveled to experience the vibrant worship community of Iona, Scotland as well as the more meditative form of worship that has its origins in Taizé, France. Rev. Ralph has a strong interest in music and multi-media as ways to help people worship and develop in their faith, and he embraces the use of modern technology as vital tools in congregational ministry. He is a self-taught guitarist and has written many original songs of faith and life.

In September, 2008, Rev. Ralph took part in a Disciples' Ohio Region-supported Mission Trip to the New Orleans area, helping to rebuild homes destroyed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.