Ralph Gaines
12739 S 28th Court,NE
Summary
I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior at the age of 12 years old and preached my first sermon February 21, 1971 at First Baptist Highland Park Church, Little Rock, Ark at the age of 17 years old. I was an accomplished Pastor at all the churches I served before retirement with a proven track record in pastoral care and church growth strategies, Skilled in preaching, public speaking, and multicultural sensitivity, I excel in fostering community outreach and congregational care, demonstrating significant leadership and compassionate guidance.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Pastor
Union Memorial UMC/Living Hope UMC
07.2021 - 06.2023
- Provided pastoral care to individuals in need, offering counseling, guidance, and support during difficult times.
- Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and nursing home services.
- Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons, and worked with key church leaders to carry out church mission.
- Oversaw administration and management of all areas of ministry.
- Provided spiritual and administrative leadership to church and managed daily operations.
- Instrumental in getting mortgage paid off on the Union Memorial UMC building six day after new appointment.
- Upheld church governance structure by effectively managing staff and volunteer teams while ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures.
- Fostered a welcoming environment for newcomers by creating an inclusive culture within the church community.
- Helped to create welcoming environment for visitors and encouraged congregation to offer support.
Pastor
Living Hope UMC - Mission Congregation
07.2019 - 06.2021
- Provided pastoral care to individuals in need, offering counseling, guidance, and support during difficult times.
- Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and nursing home services.
- Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons, and worked with key church leaders to carry out church mission.
- Helped to create welcoming environment for visitors and encouraged congregation to offer support.
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship, and service opportunities.
- Empowered church volunteers through training sessions and ongoing support, enhancing their ability to serve the congregation effectively.
- Distributed food and supplies to communities through mutual aid.
- Attracted new members to the congregation through effective marketing strategies such as social media campaigns, website updates, and targeted outreach efforts.
- Led by example in personal and community stewardship efforts, inspiring members to live out their faith in environmental conservation and sustainability initiatives.
Pastor
McCool Junction UMC
07.2016 - 06.2019
- Provided pastoral care to individuals in need, offering counseling, guidance, and support during difficult times.
- Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and nursing home services.
- Oversaw administration and management of all areas of ministry.
- Interacted with local community, building relationships with civic organizations and other churches.
- Increased attendance and participation in church events, meticulously planning and promoting variety of outreach and fellowship activities.
- Started a weekly after school program for elementary, middle, and high school youth.
- Instrumental in increasing church attendance and membership in first six months of appointment.
Pastor
Exeter UMC/McCool Junction UMC
08.2013 - 06.2016
- Provided pastoral care to individuals in need in a two point charge appointment, offering counseling, guidance, and support during difficult times.
- Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship, and service opportunities.
- Started weekly after school program for elementary, middle, and high school students.
- Mentored youth group members, offering guidance and support in their personal and spiritual lives.
- Implemented comprehensive adult education programs that catered to diverse learning interests while fostering spiritual growth within the community.
Pastor
Living Hope UMC - Mission Church
07.2010 - 08.2013
- Provided pastoral care to individuals in need for a newly formed Mission Church that started out as a New Church start, offering counseling, guidance, and support during difficult times.
- Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and nursing home services.
- Oversaw administration and management of all areas of ministry.
- Interacted with local community, building relationships with civic organizations and other churches.
- Increased attendance and participation in church events, meticulously planning and promoting variety of outreach and fellowship activities that we call taste and sees.
- Increased attendance and church membership from 25 to 250 plus members in one year.
- Built lasting relationships within community, visiting schools and community centers to engage with youth and offer mentorship.
- Supported families during times of crisis with compassionate pastoral care and practical assistance, reinforcing church's role as pillar of support.
Associate Pastor/New Church Start Pastor
TRI Community UMC
05.2007 - 06.2010
- Assisted the Lead pastor with coordinating special events such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals, providing pastoral care during significant moments in congregants'' lives.
- Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer along with Lead Pastor.
- Managed volunteer teams for various ministries, ensuring effective use of resources and talents.
- Supported senior pastor in developing impactful sermon series, resulting in increased attendance and spiritual growth.
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship, and service opportunities of the New Church start
- Provided pastoral counseling to individuals seeking guidance on personal or relationship issues, promoting emotional well-being within the congregation of the New Church Start.
- Coordinated special events such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals for the New Church start, providing pastoral care during significant moments in congregants'' lives.
- Interacted with local community, building relationships with civic organizations and other churches.
Pastor
Union Memorial UMC
02.2002 - 05.2007
- Provided pastoral care to individuals in need, offering counseling, guidance, and support during difficult times.
- Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
- Designed innovative worship experiences that integrated contemporary elements alongside traditional practices.
- Attracted new members to the congregation through outreach into the community by visiting homes, talking to people at stores, simply talking to people wherever they were.
Assistant Pastor
Strangers Rest Missionary Baptist Church
01.1994 - 02.2002
- Provided pastoral care to congregants
- Mentored associate pastors, providing guidance on effective sermon preparation and delivery techniques.
- Assisted senior pastor in developing the yearly Thanksgiving feeding of the local Fire Department, and police.
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship, and service opportunities.
- Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
- Volunteered at church-sponsored outreach events.
- Assisted with organization and implementation of Sunday school activities.
Pastor
Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church
11.1990 - 01.1994
- Provided pastoral care to individuals in need, offering counseling, guidance, and support during difficult times.
- Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and nursing home services.
- Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons, and worked with key church leaders to carry out church mission.
- Oversaw administration and management of all areas of ministry.
Education
Master of Arts - Education With A Concentration in Adult Education
Strayer University
Washington DC12.2017
No Degree - Local Pastor Course of Study
St Paul School of Theology
Kansas City, MO06.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Human Relations
Doane University
Crete, NE08.1989
Skills
- Teaching
- Preaching
- Pastoral counseling
- Pastoral Care
- Public Speaking
- Multicultural Sensitivity
- Staff Leadership
- Congregational care
- Church growth strategies
- Officiating (Weddings, Funerals)
- Grief counseling
- Community Outreach
Accomplishments
2011 received the Harry Denman Award for evanglism.
Hobbies
I own an American Quarter Horse named Born To Be Bluz aka Lena. I show her in an event known as Reining. I did own a 2021 Harley Davidson that I loved riding.
Timeline
Pastor
Union Memorial UMC/Living Hope UMC
07.2021 - 06.2023
Pastor
Living Hope UMC - Mission Congregation
07.2019 - 06.2021
Pastor
McCool Junction UMC
07.2016 - 06.2019
Pastor
Exeter UMC/McCool Junction UMC
08.2013 - 06.2016
Pastor
Living Hope UMC - Mission Church
07.2010 - 08.2013
Associate Pastor/New Church Start Pastor
TRI Community UMC
05.2007 - 06.2010
Pastor
Union Memorial UMC
02.2002 - 05.2007
Assistant Pastor
Strangers Rest Missionary Baptist Church
01.1994 - 02.2002
Pastor
Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church
11.1990 - 01.1994
Master of Arts - Education With A Concentration in Adult Education
Strayer University
No Degree - Local Pastor Course of Study
St Paul School of Theology
Bachelor of Arts - Human Relations
Doane University
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