Rev. Ron J. Anderson

In June of 1991, Rev. Ron Anderson came to Morning Star MCC (North Star Cathedral of Hope) to candidate for the position of pastor. At the conclusion of a weekend of meetings, socials and a worship service on Sunday at which he preached a fiery sermon, the congregation voted unanimously to call Rev. Anderson as their pastor. He accepted the call and moved to New England at the end of July. He preached his first sermon as pastor on the 1st Sunday of August, 1991.

Two years later, he again was confirmed unanimously and given an open ended contract. The congregation grew to 125 members in a very short period of time. In 1997, Pastor Ron took a much needed 3 month Sabbatical. While he was on his trip around the United States to visit so many longtime friends, something very negative happened “back at the ranch”. However, in April of 1998, the congregation once again voted unanimously to maintain Rev. Anderson as their pastor.

As Rev. Anderson, in 2006, celebrated 15 years as pastor of North Star Cathedral of Hope, the church is stronger than ever. Pastor Ron stated, “God just wouldn’t let me leave and now that I have the privilege of ‘hind-site’ I’m so thankful that God didn’t.”

As the church again approaches a membership of 50, it is celebrating 32 years of ministry in September, 2006. That means that Rev. Anderson has been the pastor for almost half of the life of our church.  The first half experienced many pastors of which two passed away and the church had to go through great grieving. The church has been as few as 8 people meeting in living rooms to the 125 members in the early 90s under Rev. Anderson’s ministry. It has changed it’s name 3 times, changed affiliation with fellowships 3 times, owned it’s own property and moved 3 times. Yet, God has kept the doors open!

Pastor Ron said, “I have watched our church family have tremendous growth in their faith and trust in God during the past 9 years. I can’t help but believe that everything has prepared us for ‘such a time as this.’” He continued, “When I tried to sell my home in 1997 and leave New England and God slammed the door, I knew that God had something very special for our church. Since that time, our church has become such a close family and so powerful in the Holy Spirit. Out of forty some years of ministry, I’ve very rarely seen this kind of spiritual, physical and financial strength as North Star has today. I’m so grateful for the past 15 years as the pastor. However, I’m looking forward to future years with even greater excitement. This next few years should prove to be full of wonderful blessings, ministries and continued growth!”

EDUCATION

College - BA in Psychology, minor in Business Administration from University of Nevada, Reno, NV 1965
Also Attended - Evangel College, Springfield, MO — University of Missouri
Studies - Religious Seminars and Theology Courses with Assembly of God
Religious Courses with the A.A. Allen Evangelistic Assn.
Chemical Abuse Treatment program training, Quincy, IL
Family Care Treatment (psychiatric) training, Quincy, IL
AIDS Awareness and Hospice training, Quincy, IL
Human Sexuality Course (SAR) - Akron Forum, Inc.

MINISTERIAL  HISTORY

2/15/06 to present

 Pastor of North Star Cathedral of Hope, Worcester, MA
Member of the Alliance of Christian Churches (International Fellowship)

12/1/99 to 2/15/06

 Pastor of MorningStar Community Church, Worcester, MA
Chaplain of Gay Officers Action League/New England
 

8/1/91 to 12/1/99  

Pastor of Morning Star Metropolitan Community Church, Worcester, MA,
Chaplain of Gay Officers Action League/New England
Secretary of Leicester Ecumenical Council, Leicester, MA (ended 11/99)

1988-1991 

Pastor of Family of God M.C.C., Billings, MT
Chair of District Credentials Review Committee
Member of Clergy Credential and Concerns Committee
Founded Great Falls M.C.C., Great Falls, MT
Board of Director of Yellowstone County AIDS Task Force

1983-1988

Pastor of M.C.C.-ILLIAMO, Quincy, IL
Director of Adam’s County AIDS Task Force
Counselor at Chemical Abuse Treatment Center

1976-1983

Founder and Director of the New Freedom Evangelistic Team, Inc.
(team living in a bus holding 5 day renewals at MCCs 11 months a year)
Help start and establish 5 new MCCs
Member of M.C.C., Houston, TX

1973-1976

Pastor of Agape M.C.C., Ft. Worth, TX
Asst. District Coordinator of South Central District
Member of Faith, Fellowship, and Order Commission
Ordained by U.F.M.C.C. in July 1976
Founded M.C.C. study group, Denton, TX

1972-1973

Licensed by UFMCC, May 1972, San Diego, CA
Associate Pastor to Rev. Elder Freda Smith, M.C.C. Sacramento, CA

1971-1973

Operations Manager, Sacramento Association for Retarded Children
Deacon & Student Clergy, M.C.C. - Sacramento, CA

1969-1971

Joined Metropolitan community Church

Manager, Value Fair of California

1966-1970

Evangelistic ministry with the Assembly of God denomination
Eighteen months as missionary in Old Mexico, built 3 churches and 1 orphanage