Dr. Ralph F. Wilson |
He studied at Occidental College, Los Angeles where he received a bachelor's degree in Biology in 1967. He received a Master of Divinity degree (1976) from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and a few years later, a Doctor of Ministry degree (1984) from the same school
Pastor Ralph has attended churches of many denominations as well as independent churches. He believes that denominations at their best can strengthen the Body by providing historical fellowships of congregations. Yet he rejoices that the walls that have divided one group from another are coming down. Our goal – and final destiny – is One Church unified by Jesus Christ himself.
Pastor Ralph was ordained under the auspices of the American Baptist Churches/USA in 1977. He has served as senior pastor of Lindley Ave. Baptist Church in Tarzana, California (1976-1988) and Church of the Live Oaks in Rocklin, California (1988-2001). Currently he is serving as Interim Pastor at First Baptist Church of Nevada City, California.
Dr. Wilson is recognized as a pioneer in the field of Internet marketing and is editor of Web Marketing Today (www.wilsonweb.com), a free e-mail newsletter that reaches nearly 100,000 readers each week. His Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries website (www.joyfulheart.com) contains scores of articles and stories he has written.
Beginning in 1996, he began to experiment with teaching the Bible by means of the Internet. His studies have reached as many as 5,500 in up to 124 countries at a time. More recently, he has designed interactive Bible studies that allow students to begin at any time, receive lessons via e-mail, and share their insights to study questions with others in an online Forum. Dr. Wilson has served as a trainer for a number of Christian organizations, including Compassion International, Campus Crusade for Christ International, NavPress, Gospel Communications, Zondervan Publishing House, and others.
Pastor Ralph and his wife have three grown children. They live in rural Loomis, California, a few miles from Sacramento.