Rev. Ralph Wood, 93

Ralph Wood graduated from this life into the presence of the Lord. His most quoted verse was Titus 2:13 “Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” While he did not live long enough to experience this hope of all believers he is now experiencing the presence of his beloved Lord.

After Ralph met his wife, Alberta, at Multnomah Bible School and were married they lived a life of ministry. He would often muse “she was the only girlfriend I ever had.” They had three sons: Donald, Gene and Keith who all survive him. He also left behind five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Alberta passed in 2014.

Pastor Wood served as Senior Pastor in multiple churches in various Cities including Walla Walla Washington, Auburn Washington, Lancaster Pennsylvania and Longview Washington. He also served as Board Chair for the Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society for over 8 years, traveled for missions work to South America, Africa and Burma. He was frequently invited as a Bible Conference Speaker. He also was a professor at Southern Bible Institute in Dallas Texas for 6 years.

Teaching the Word and caring for the people were the very core of his being. One of his greatest treasures was an extensive list (over 30 names) he and Albert reviewed (and prayed over) together of young people they had mentored who went into full-time Christian work. That may be his greatest legacy. It is often said that one reproduces what they are not what they want. Those close to Pastor Wood soon learned ministry was a wonderful way to invest the few years we have on this earth.

For Pastor Wood there was never any higher calling than to preach the gospel, teach the Word and care for people leading them into a commitment to righteousness. This passion began when he almost lost his leg as a young boy and blossomed as he accepted his first calling to pastor a small church in Portland Oregon at the age of 17. His concern for people continued until his final days in Brethren Village. Whenever he spoke of his new friends at the Village he often said “they are so nice but I am not sure where they all stand with the Lord.” He wanted each person he met to know they would share heaven.

Ralph Graduated from Multnomah School of the Bible, Washington State and Dallas Seminary (1954). He will be buried next to his deeply loved wife in Landis Valley Cemetery.

He quipped often in the latter years “it does not matter where you put me. I won’t be there.” He ran the race. He finished his course without disqualification. He is now ready to receive the winner’s wreath/crown.