Ron Dunn

Biography of Ron Dunn

Before his death June 29, 2001, at the age of 64, due to Pulmonary Fibrosis, Ronald Dunn had an extensive itinerate ministry of Bible teaching and preaching and served as the Minister-at-Large for the MacArthur Blvd. Baptist Church in Irving. He was also the president of LifeStyle Ministries, an organization that produces Bible study cassettes, which he founded in 1970. He preached Bible Conferences all over the United States, Europe, Australia, Canada, Central America, South Africa and the Caribbean Islands.

A graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, Ron was saved at the age of nine, began preaching at the age of fifteen and pastored his first church at the age of seventeen. After completing his Masters of Divinity at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary he pastored the Valley View Baptist Church and Munger Place Baptist Church of Dallas. In 1966, he became the pastor of the MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church in Irving, TX.

During his time as pastor there, the church doubled in size and began a unique 24-hour Intercessroy Prayer Ministry. This Prayer Ministry has become the model for similar ministries in churches and Christian organizations around the country. In 1975, Ron resigned to fully devote his time to an itinerate ministry of bible teaching and writing.

Ron Dunn is the author of ANY CHRISTIAN CAN (Masters Press), THE FAITH CRISIS (Tyndale House), VICTORY (Tyndale House), DON'T JUST STAND THERE-PRAY SOMETHING (Thomas Nelson ), WILL GOD HEAL ME? (Multnomah and Kingsway, UK) and FRIENDLY FIRE (Thomas Nelson and Kingsway, UK). In 1993, the British edition of DON'T JUST STAND THERE-PRAY SOMETHING was on the UK Christian Bestsellers list for a year and a half, outselling every other Christian book in the UK.

His wife, Kaye, is the President of LifeStyle Ministries and lives in Flower Mound, Texas. They have two children, Stephen and Kimberly. Their first child, Ronald Jr., died in 1975 at the age of 18.

Chronological Biography of the Life of Ron Dunn
Ron Dun was born October 24, 1936, in Poteau, OK, to Eunice and Cecil Dunn He had one brother, Barry Dunn, of Nashville, TN, and grew up mostly in Fort Smith, AR.
Ron was baptized at the age of 9, in Fort Smith, AR, at Southside Baptist Church. A short time later his family joined First Baptist Church, Fort Smith, AR, where Dr. J. Harold Smith was the pastor and had a great influence on his life and ministry.

He surrendered to the ministry in 1952 at the age of 15 at a Baptist encampment while Dr. Carl Bates was preaching. Ron began preaching at the city jail in Fort Smith at the age of 15 through the ministry of First Baptist Church; he also began preaching in weekend revivals in small rural churches as a team of young people would go out on the weekends.

Ron preached his first extended revival in 1953 at First Baptist Church of Bow Legs, OK, where Jake Self, one of his prayer mentors, was pastor. A young man named Johnny Bisagno led the music. Ron got sick the second week of the meeting and gave Johnny his first opportunity to preach.

He was ordained to the ministry at First Baptist Church by Dr. J. Harold Smith on December 29, 1954. One of the most important things the pastor said that night was, "God has not called you to be the next Billy Graham; he has called you to be Ronnie Dunn." Ron said that was the most disappointing thing he had ever heard, but it was the best thing he could have possibly been told. His mother reinforced that thought through the years, as well as Kaye.

Ron met Rita Kaye Mitchell in February 1955 and they married at her home in Little Rock, AR, on December 21, 1956. Just 8 days shy of her 17th birthday, Kaye left Central High School in Little Rock and transferred to the high school in Shawnee, OK, where she completed her high school degree and began attending Oklahoma Baptist University where Ron was a student.
He became the weekend pastor of a rural church, Panola Baptist Church, in Panola, OK, in October 1956.

On October 13, 1957, Ronald Louis Dunn, Jr. was born in Shawnee, OK.
Ron received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1958, and in 1962 he received his Bachelor of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. At the time of his death he was working on his Doctorate of Theology degree from Reformed Seminary. His class work had been completed, but he had not done his dissertation. He was always striving for excellence and wanted to be relevant to the pastors he was ministering to.

In 1961, a second son, Stephen Mitchell Dunn, was born in Dallas, TX, while Ron was pastor at Valley View Baptist Church.

On June 16, 1965, a daughter, Kimberly Kaye Dunn was born in Dallas, TX.
In 1965, Ron began an 18-month pastorate at Munger Place Baptist Church in Dallas, TX.

In October, 1966, Ron began a 9-year pastorate at MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church in Irving, TX.

In April 1970, God broke through in revival at MacArthur Boulevard. Through the next five years, we were privileged to hear wonderful Bible teachers like Manley Beasley, Jack Taylor, Peter Lord, Dr. John Hunter, Dr. J. P. McBeth, Dr. Vance Havner and Miss Bertha Smith.

In 1972, Ron began a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week Intercessory Prayer Ministry at MacArthur Boulevard.

In 1972, Ron began preaching at Nationwide Conferences on Revival with Jack Taylor, Manley Beasley and Miss Bertha Smith.

In 1973, Ron began preaching at the Milldale Bible Conference in Zachary, LA, for 27 years until his death. Most years he preached this meeting with Manley Beasley.

In 1973, Ron began speaking in Bible Conferences with Dr. George Duncan (Scotland), Dr. Stephen Olford, Dr. Dwight Pentecost, Dr. Eric Alexander (Scotland), Dr. John Stott (England), Dr. Ray Stedman, Dr. Stewart Briscoe, Dr. Ian Thomas (England), Dr. Leonard Ravenhill, Dr. Bill Bright, Dr. Roy Fish, Dr. J. I. Packer, Dr. J. Edmond Orr, Dr. W A. Criswell, Dr. Adrian Rogers, Evangelist Bill Stafford, Dr. Charles Stanley, Dr. R. T. Kendall (England), Alan Redpath (England), Dr. Jimmy Draper, Dr. J. Glen Owen, Dr. John McArthur, Dr. Jerry Vines, Dr. Homer Lindsey, Jr., Dr. Carl Bates, Haddon Robinson, Dr. Gordon McDonald, Dr. Tom Eliff, Dr. Bailey Smith and Dr. Jim Hylton.

In 1974, Ron preached at the Campus Crusade Staff Training in California for Bill Bright. Cassette tapes of those messages have traveled all over the world since that time.

In 1975, Ron began a Bible Conference for pioneer pastors and their wives. This was intended to be a respite and encouragement for men, many who were bi-vocational and in difficult areas of service. We provided an airline ticket, a loving home and spiritual enrichment throughout the week, as well as wonderful gifts to show our love and appreciation to them. Ron wanted them to enjoy this week away as a couple, trusting that the Lord would refresh them spiritually and physically and send them back to their place of service renewed. Many of the pastors of MacArthur Boulevard continued this conference, allowing Ron to come back to preach this conference many years. In 2002 MBBC renamed the conference

The Ron Dunn Encourager Conference, and we continue to minister in this way.
Ron resigned from MacArthur Boulevard on August 31, 1975, to enter full-time Bible Conference ministry.

On Thanksgiving Day, 1975, Ron Dunn, Jr. took his life at age 18.
December 1975, Ron preached his first International Conference on Revival for Manley Beasley in Switzerland, the first of many conferences held all over Switzerland.

In 1976, Ron had his first book published by Master's Press, Any Christian Can.

In 1977, Ron preached again at the Campus Crusade Staff Training.

In 1978, Ron preached at the Keswick Convention in Keswick, England, the first of many times.

In 1979, Ron preached at the Filey Convention in England, the first of many times.

In the late 70s, he began a long-time association with Del City Baptist Church in Del City, OK; First Baptist Church Little Rock in Little Rock, AR; Geyer Springs Baptist Church in Little Rock, AR; Castle Hills Baptist Church in San Antonio, TX; First Baptist Church in Greenwood, AR; Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, TX (formerly Allendale Baptist Church); Leawood Baptist Church in Memphis, TN; and Southside Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, AR.

In the 80s, Ron began an association with First Baptist Church in Ada, OK; Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN; First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, TN; Woodland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN; Calvary Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN; MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church in Irving, TX; Eastside Baptist Church in Marietta, GA; Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL; MEF Bible Conference in Colorado Springs, CO (from 1982-2001); Calvary Hill Baptist Church in Mesquite, TX; Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Mobile, AL; Bannockburn Baptist Church in Austin, TX; New Orleans Theological Baptist Seminary in New Orleans, LA; Columbia Bible School in Columbia, SC; Real Evangelism Conferences; First Baptist Church in Houston, TX; First Baptist Church in Euless, TX; North Richland Hills Baptist Church in North Richland Hills, TX; First Baptist Church in West Memphis, AR; Woodland Baptist Church in Jackson, TN; First Baptist Church in New Albany, MS; First Baptist Church in San Antonio, TX; Oakland Baptist Church in Corinth, MS; First Baptist Church in Grand Avenue, AR; Evangelical Covenant Church in Springfield, MA; Rocky Mountain Bible Conference in Rifle, CO; and First Baptist Church in Lubbock, TX. Some of these churches he only preached at two or three times, but most he went to on a more regular basis. In several of these churches, Ron did conferences every year till his death.

In 1981, Ron preached at the Filey Convention in England and the Toronto Spiritual Life Convention at the Peoples Church in Toronto, Canada.
In 1982, Ron preached at the Keswick Convention in Keswick, England and at the Sunbridge Road Mission in Bradford, England.

In 1982, Ron preached at the Pastor's Conference of the Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans, LA.

In 1983, Ron preached with Dr. George Duncan at the Keswick Convention in Barbados, West Indies.

In 1984, Ron preached at the Filey Convention in Skegness, England and the Belgrave Heights Easter Convention in Melbourne, Australia.

In 1984, Ron was robbed and shot at in a Holiday Inn parking lot in Little Rock, Arkansas. The man who shot at him was given a 60-year sentence, and it was his fifth felony conviction.

In 1984, Ron's second book was published by Tyndale, The Faith Crisis.

In 1985, Ron preached at the Pastors Conference of the Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas, TX.

In 1987, Ron preached at the Keswick Convention in England.

In 1986, Ron preached at the Campus Crusade Staff Training in Marina del Rey, CA.

In 1988, Ron preached at the Filey Crusade in Skegness, England.

In 1989, Ron preached at the Belgrave Heights Convention, Melbourne, Australia.
In the 1990's Ron began an association with Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN; Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA; Hopewell Baptist Church in Savannah, TN; Spiritual Awakening Conferences; Village Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, OK; Grassy Branch Baptist Church in Asheville, NC; First Baptist Church in Biloxi, MS; First Baptist Church in Jackson, MS; Sweet Jesus Retreats; Pickwick Landing State Park in TN; Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, TX; Bailey Smith's Ministry Conferences; West Rome Baptist Church in Rome, GA; First Covenant Church in Grand Rapids, MI; First Baptist Church in Merritt Island, FL; First Baptist Church in Starkville, MS; Wayne Hills Baptist Church in Waynesboro, VA; Mud Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville, NC; First Baptist Church in Cartersville, GA; Spring Baptist Church in Spring, TX; First Baptist Church in Highlands, NC; Immanuel Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, AR; Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa, FL; First Baptist Church in Lavaca, AR; Northport Baptist Church in Northport, AL; Rockdale Baptist Church in Conyers, GA; and Riverbend Community Church in Ormand Beach, FL. Some of these churches he only preached at two or three times, but most he had a longer relationship with.

In 1991, Ron's third book was published by Thomas Nelson, Don't Just Stand There, Pray Something.

In 1991, Ron preached a three-week "To Tell the Truth Tour" through England, Scotland and Wales.

In 1991, Ron spoke at the Rapha Luncheon at the Southern Baptist Convention.

In 1992 Ron's book Don't Just Stand There, Pray Something was number one on the Christian Bookseller's List in the UK. Ron preached at the Texas, Georgia and Missouri Evangelism Conferences. He also preached at the Keswick Convention in Capetown, South Africa.

In 1993, Ron preached the Campus Revival at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

In 1994, Ron was presented with a special award from the Christian Booksellers in Blackpool, England. There was formerly a strict policy that it only be given to British authors. On this same tour, Ron preached at All Souls Church in London, England for Rector Richard Bewes. It was one of his favorite places to preach. In 1994, Ron's fourth book was published by Thomas Nelson, When Heaven Is Silent. Also, that year, he made videos for Bill Gothard's Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts to be used in pastor's and leader's seminars. That same year he Ron preached at the Knoxville Institute in Basic Life Principles for Bill Gothard. Ron preached at The Cove, Billy Graham's Training Center. Later that year Ron's Faith Book was number one on the Christian Bookseller's list in the UK.

In 1995, Ron preached for six weeks at Woodland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN, while the pastor was on sabbatical. He also taught a class at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

In 1996, Ron preached at the Teaching Director's Conference at Community Bible Study in Amelia Island, FL., and preached at the Pastor's Conference of the Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans, LA.

In 1997, Ron's fifth book was published by Multnomah, Will God Heal Me? He led an Academic Workshop at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and did a UK Tour-Keswick in Birmingham, All Souls Church in London and the Bangor Worldwide Missionary Convention in Ireland.

In 1998, Ron did a Kingsway Book Tour in the UK., and also preached at Teen Missions International Conference in Merritt Island, FL.

In 1999, Ron preached at the Keswick Convention in Keswick, England and a week at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO.

In 2001, Ron's last book was published right before his death by Thomas Nelson, Surviving Friendly Fire.

Ron has preached in the following places: Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Switzerland, Barbados, West Indies, Jamaica, South Africa, Australia, Austria, Italy, France, West Germany, East Germany, Israel, Greece, Hawaii and Alaska.

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