Turlock pastor has learned to slow down, appreciate life
The Rev. Ron Youngdale, pastor of Turlock's Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, was born in Tanzania to missionary parents. But the family moved to Minnesota when he was 4, so he said he remembers playing baseball in the summers and ice skating on winter nights rather than anything about life in an African village.
He and two of his three brothers — a fourth brother is 10 years younger — "were really into cars — working on them, rebuilding them, keeping them looking good, working on friends' cars. It was a big part of our lives."
Of course, he said, speed was important during those teen years.
"One time, I had a Camaro Z-28 and I got a ticket for reckless driving," Youngdale said. "I was probably about 17. I was going to fight the ticket in court. It was a small town and the lawyer I called also happened to be the judge, so he said he couldn't help me. Sure enough, he was the judge, and I defended myself. I got off with a dollar fine."
Youngdale said he originally planned to become an overseas missionary and teacher, but during his third year in seminary, an internship in a Connecticut church led him to see that his gifts matched a career as a church pastor.
Here's more information:
Family: Married to Pam, 54; two children: Abby, 24; and Kirsten, 21; one grandson, Payton, 3
Education: Bachelor's degree with a major in U.S. history from Concordia College in St. Paul, Minn.; Master of divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis; working on a master's program in mediation and peacemaking from Fresno Pacific University
Career: St. Paul Lutheran, Orange, two years; Good Shepherd, 1985-present
Future: "If I did anything else, it would be mediation and peacemaking and probably teaching on a college level."
Greatest challenge: "I often say I love my job, but I don't like my hours. There's always something else to do — one more call to make, one more person to visit."
Greatest passion: "To help people experience God's peace in relationships and joy in life. There's a quote from a book that guides me: 'It's a sin to be good when God has called us to be great.' "
Personality: "I'm an outgoing person, pretty upbeat in my outlook. I can be pretty mellow when tempers are flaring."
Spare time: "My wife and I plan our vacations and love to travel. We like to go to the theater. We like music; I love the symphony. I like to work on my house, work in my yard. That's real therapeutic for me. I also like to read. We love ice hockey."
"Leading the Way" runs twice a month and profiles faith leaders — ordained and lay — in our community. To suggest someone, send the name and contact information to Sue Nowicki, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352-5256 or e-mail snowicki@modbee.com.
This story was originally published December 5, 2008 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Turlock pastor has learned to slow down, appreciate life."