About Ron Stohler
Where did you go to school?
High school: Pennsbury …a big one in the ‘burbs of Philadelphia.
Undergraduate: The University of Delaware… home of the Fightin' Blue Hens (a mascot to be feared by all)
Graduate: Fuller Theological Seminary...working to complete my masters by Spring 2010.
Tell us how you became involved with Grace
I graduated from the University of Delaware in 1988 and started working for DuPont in public affairs and marketing communications. In early 1996, DuPont transferred my family to Indianapolis for what we thought would be a two-year stint. We started attending Grace and served as volunteer coaches in the small group ministry. It was the first time in my life where I felt a true fit to serve. It seemed God was leading us to serve on staff at Grace. In 1998, I resigned from my business career and accepted a position to serve as the Senior Director of Community Groups. Since then, I've been involved in leading others in spiritual communities. That vision was affirmed in the fall of 2004 when I was asked to serve as Pastor of Growth and Groups.
What do you do around Grace?
As Pastor of Growth and Groups, my role is to oversee spiritual formation (growth) in the context of community (groups) with a fantastic team who shepherd four related areas of ministry: Grace Groups, Women of Grace, Men of Grace and Grace Care. Currently, I'm also on point for our all-church initiative called C2: a catalytic curriculum for your spiritual growth. C2 features a growing list of courses, seminars and experiences designed to help people love more fully and live more purposefully in God's Kingdom.
Tell us about your family
I'm married to a beautiful and intelligent woman named Sharon who loves reading, teaching etymology (that's grammar roots for the rest of us) and working out at our local YMCA. We have been married for 20 years and are busy raising three teenagers. As a family, we like to get outside, travel and cheer one another on in one of the kids' sports, whether it's soccer, lacrosse or swimming.
What is your favorite movie of all time?
Apollo 13! It has the biggest understatement of all time: "Houston, we have a problem."
What is your favorite TV show?
Man vs. Wild – a must watch show if you’re planning to get stranded in the Kalahari Desert for a week.
What is your favorite book?
To this day, it still is Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning. Here's a quote that gets me every time: "When we get waylaid from our walk with God by busyness, depression, family problems, or worse, God does not abandon us. Nor, if we walk in the way of trust, do we abandon God. When we wander off the path, that trust pulls us back and we do not flinch, hesitate, or worry about being unwelcome in the Father's arms. No matter where we are on the journey, we have a quiet confidence that our trust in God's love gives God immense pleasure." (p. 19)
Any special talents to share?
Hmmm…well since I love camping and backpacking, I can say that I am pretty creative when it comes to making the best use out of duct tape, bungee cords or a tarp!
How do you stay in shape: spiritually, physically, mentally?
I try to live a paced lifestyle being attentive to the Lord through a wide variety of spiritual disciplines, whether it is solitude, silence, Scripture reading, community or compassion, attentive to my body through different kinds of exercise, such as running, biking or swimming, and attentive to my mind through my graduate studies or the latest book Dave Rod' wants the Management Team to read.
