Ron Sydney’s youth group on the beautiful island of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean first helped to nurture his passion to do something great for God.
On the heels of graduating from high school, Sydney received strong impressions from God to enter into pastoral ministry. While many pastors begin their pastoral training in college, Sydney began his during two years of working as a canvassing colporteur before studying for a theology degree at Canadian University College (now Burman University) in Alberta.
Sydney’s first ministry call came from Upper Columbia Conference, where he led the Pasco (Wash.) Ephesus congregation and served as a youth and associate pastor at Richland (Wash.) Church. Following two years of studies at Andrews University seminary, Sydney transitioned to Washington Conference, where he pastors All Nations Church, 24-Seven Ministry and Eastside Fellowship in the greater Seattle metropolitan area. He is engaged to Frances Leaf.
Sydney has a passion for people regardless of age, lifestyle, cultural background or ethnicity. “Pastor Ron has a mobile church and ministers to everyone he meets,” says Andreas Beccai, Volunteer Park Church pastor.
“God has given Ron a gift to like people, challenge people and invite them to follow Jesus,” says Bill Roberts, Washington Conference ministerial director. “He is a vibrant, fun, thought-provoking minister.”
Throughout Sydney’s ordination ceremony on Aug. 29 in Kirkland, his ministry friends and mentors affirmed God’s calling in his life and challenged him to “be a pastor, not a just a preacher,” in the words of Alphonso McCarthy, North Pacific Union Conference vice president for children, youth and regional work.
John McLarty, Green Lake Church senior pastor, closed the remarks of the day with an ordination charge: “Hear daily God’s call. Daily bask in God’s glory. Light the world with God’s love. Mind your Adventist heritage. Fill your people with hope.”
Ron Sydney and Frances Leaf express their desire for servant leadership.
Doug Bing and Jerry Russell, as representatives of Washington Conference, welcome Ron Sydney and Frances Leaf to ordained pastoral ministry.
Eric Shadle leads the ordination prayer for Ron Sydney as ministry colleagues surround him.
Pastor, friend and mentor John McLarty gives Ron Sydney his ordination charge on Aug. 29.
