GENERAL PROFILE OF MINISTRY
Addicted to Christ is a Christian, Bible-based ministry which focuses on three primary persons: social outcasts, prisoners/prison re-entrants (parolees & probationers), and everyone else with spiritual needs. Every client will receive godly care with open and unashamed conversation on any topic that troubles the client.
The pastor is an adept listener with an ear to hear. The ministry is designed to serve anyone who just needs someone to talk with about anything. He is especially close to those who may feel unloved, unwanted, rejected, abused, or outcast, and who may have addictions they want to overcome.
ATC is about accepting people, not about judging them.
ATC is a combination of counseling, recovery, and Bible study that sets a program according to the client’s needs and direction. It accepts people for who they are, helps them become who they want to be, and find the life that God has for them.
ATC’s goal is to wean people from earthly addictions so that they may have a deeper relationship with Christ and fellow Christians. The ministry seeks to prevent involvement with the justice system, and also has a particular interest in assisting those in or leaving prison in order that they might not re-offend. The ministry is also designed to assist the families and loved ones of prison inmates, helping them understand and cope with the problems associated with incarceration. ATC offers a Christ/Bible-based discussion to help others develop healthy relationships.
ATC does not ascribe to humanism or any anti-Christian psychology. It views the Word of God as sacrosanct, and does not recognize man-made doctrines which conflict with Scripture (Acts 5:29).
ABOUT THE COUNSELOR/PASTOR
Pastor Ron is a Biblical Lay Counselor who serves those in need of spiritual direction and healing through Christian teaching. He is a Board-Certified Master Mental Health Coach by the International Board of Christian Care (IBCC), recently recertified in December, 2023.
He worked a ‘day job’ in the railroad industry for 26 years, but has been active in the Church since childhood. He served in trustee, board of directors, and growth & renewal program capacities, and served in music ministry as organist from 1984-2020.
He became a Lay Preacher in 2011, Certified Lay Preacher in 2012, and re-certified in 2016. He earned an Associate’s in Christian Ministry in 2019, and is currently earning a Bachelor’s in Biblical Counseling in Bible College. The pastor is ordained non-denominational clergy, and a licensed Independent Gospel Minister. Pastor Ron received certification as a Master Mental Health Coach/Mental Health First Responder from Light University in June 2022, and completes monthly continuing education courses.
Pastor Ron is associated with Gospel Express prison ministry and the Walk To Emmaus ministry. He is a presidential member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC.net).
He is a sexual abuse survivor and has intimate knowledge of the prison system. He's the kind of pastor who is not afraid to get his hands dirty working with troubled people wherever they are, and who believes in seeing folks on an even level, welcoming empathetic conversation with those who are seeking to fill needs in their lives without earthly additions. He practices Christ-commanded forgiveness and non-judgmentalism.
Pastor Ron is non-denominational; he teaches only Biblical doctrines according to Scripture.
PASTORAL SERVICES
Pastor Ron provides standard clergy services such as weddings, funerals, adult baptism, etc.
He has a special calling to pastoral mentoring via correspondence with prison inmates and their families, and understands the turmoil and isolation of inmates as well as the difficulties and stigmatization that families often face. As he is able, the pastor will meet with inmates/families one-on-one, and serves as a volunteer in various prisoner advocacy organizations.
DISCLAIMER: Pastor Ron is not a "Licensed Professional Counselor" and his services are not intended to be a substitute for Licensed Professional Counseling. Pastor Ron’s services are Lay, Pastoral or Peer Counseling, and Mental Health Coaching within the Biblical Counseling field. As Ordained Clergy, all conversations with Pastor Ron are legally covered by the Pastor/Penitent Privilege, except those circumstances covered by Mandatory Reporting laws. Addicted to Christ Ministries and Pastor Ron are governed by the Code of Ethics of the AACC (www.aacc.net/about-us/code-of-ethics/).
