Ron Stoner
Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church

One of the first questions a person may wish to ask about a church is, “Who is the pastor?” I am glad to introduce myself to you. I hope we get to meet in person and share testimonies of what God is doing in our lives. It starts a new friendship.

I was born in Huntington, WV. My father was a carpenter and my mother taught English and literature at Huntington East High School after raising six children. I grew up in a coal mining town called Holden and graduated from Logan High School in 1966.

In my freshman year at Marshall University I received Christ as Savior and Lord through the ministry of the 20th Street Baptist Church. In my junior year I committed myself to follow God’s call to ministry. On the day of that commitment I met Jan Dolin, an early childhood major, who was committing her life to ministry. In June after we graduated from college we spoke sacred vows of marriage before God, family and friends.

In August we began the great adventure of moving to Fort Worth, Texas where I attended seminary. Upon departure from West Virginia we had very little money, no job and no place to live in Texas. When we arrived God provided every need including a job teaching kindergarten for Jan. Ask me to share the story with you when we meet.

In my 3rd year of seminary I was pastor of the Tigertown Community Church. The first time I preached for the congregation four people attended. That year was packed with wonderful memories and stories to share of how God blessed.

Upon completion of the Master of Divinity Degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1973, Jan and I returned to West Virginia in search of a church to serve. God led us to the First Baptist Church of Ravenswood where we served for almost eleven years.

In 1977 we adopted Rhonda (age 6) and Shane (age 5). They are brother and sister both biologically and in their adopted family. What a step of faith to go from no children to two over a Thanksgiving weekend. The adventure of life continues. Today we have three grandsons, Shane, Jr., Samuel, and Jacob. They are a joy.

In 1984 we received a call from the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Charleston, WV. After much discussion, soul searching and prayer, we made the move and began the job as pastor. I am more excited today about the ministries and ministry potential of Emmanuel than I was at the beginning. God is working and the adventure of ministry continues. The story of my life is a testimony to the truth of what Jesus taught when he said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.” Where God guides, He provides.