Thank you for taking the time to visit my About page. I am assuming that you are interested in learning more about who is the person behind the writing you may (I hope) be finding helpful, or at least thought provoking. So, to that end, here are some bits and pieces about me (Ron Ford).
My wife Susan and I were both raised in California. We met in a Campus Life meeting and within a year were married in our very early 20’s (like, just 20 - our generation was prone to marry early). Soon we were involved in ministry in our local church working with youth and within less than 10 years later we had planted the first of two churches we served as pastors.
As children we grew up in little Baptist churches where our parents served in various volunteer leadership and service roles, so church-life was the backdrop of fairly normal childhoods (and teenage rebellion - this more for me than Susan). Nevertheless, we both felt an on- again, off-again yearning for more of God in our lives as we grew up. When I hit bottom in my late teens, the only logical place to go was back to church and back to Jesus (not in that order). So I did. In that place of desperation and surrender I discovered the reality of His love and began the journey that I am still on today.
In my early twenties my yearning for more of God became intense. The charismatic renewal was in full swing in the US and I kept coming across books by people writing about their experiences of God’s presence and the Holy Spirit. I felt like a thirsty man in the desert smelling cool, clean water but for the longest time all I had was yearning - I couldn’t seem to find my way to the water’s edge. And then, one day I unexpectedly found myself there with Him, in the water of His presence and in the power of His spirit. Within another short time (maybe a year) we met John Wimber, who was leading a church in Yorba Linda, California. John cared for us and showed us what it looked like to take Jesus seriously and to participate with Him in the life and work of the Kingdom of God here and now. Soon after, we planted the first church and have spent the years since trying to live out the vision, values and priorities we of Jesus’ Kingdom.
Not that everything has gone smoothly. There has been lots of pain, false-trails, heavy burdens, unrealized expectations, and waiting on God to answer desperate prayers. Nevertheless, the difficulty of the journey did not prove that the vision of the Kingdom was a lie after all. We are more convinced than ever that the Bible is a true guide and an accurate lens through which to see clearly. Jesus said that in this life we would have trouble. He also said that He would be with us and that His Kingdom would steadily advance in and through us until the end when He returns to put everything into order.
On this journey I have wrestled with God and the Bible trying to make sense of this life we have been given in Jesus. What is going on? What is God doing? Who are we to Him? What has Jesus given us in the gospel of the Kingdom? What would life look like if it was all true?
How can I/we engage with God? This last question is major driver behind much you will find in what I am putting up here on Substack. Jesus said, “Come and follow me.” How do I/we do that in the 21st century West? A deep conviction has grown in my heart that we do not need to be creative and come up with a new philosophy or spirituality. What we need is to go back to the beginning. We need the person, Jesus, and we need to come to Him just like the first disciples came to Him. We need to approach Him on His terms, just like they did, and we need to surrender to Him and engage with Him in the reality of our everyday lives…just like they did.
To this end, I have spent the last many years exploring the implications of living as an intentional disciple of Jesus. My writing has been a process of thinking these things through, and trying to help others see what I think I can see and experience what I have begun to experience. For me, intentional discipleship to Jesus has become the normal expectation of living and ministering with Jesus.
If these reflections resonate with you, I invite you to join me as we wrestle, explore, and seek the life Jesus promised—a life centered on Him, lived for His Kingdom, and rooted in His presence.
Note: here is a brief map of what you will find in the two different Substack accounts I am developing:
The Intentional Disciples of Jesus blog and the Intentional Disciples of Jesus Podcast. Both of these are found at
The “Intentional Disciples of Jesus” book and “Power Ministry with Jesus” (an online course) are found at
I have also published a print book to be used in small groups.
It provides a blended learning small group experience and uses the online content from the book and course here on Substack along with daily scripture readings and journaling and discussion questions for use in the small group experience. The print book (available on Amazon) also includes a field guide with three chapters on the fundamentals of leading a small group.
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