Meet Our New Assistant Chaplain

 

It’s my honor and privilege to introduce myself to you. My name is Richard Ross I’ve been with COPC since August 2018 as a volunteer Chaplain! I am now joining COPC as a full-time assistant Chaplain to assist David Green Executive Chaplain serving our Chaplaincy here in Deschutes Jefferson and Crook County. A little history about myself and my family, I was born and raised in Sonoma County California. Our Pastors in Sonoma County were voluntary Chaplains, and my mother was also a volunteer Chaplains for over 12 years. We moved to Bend, Oregon in Dec. 2005. One of the first people I met in Bend was Jim Crowley, so I knew the Lord was calling me into the Chaplaincy, it started in Sonoma County and now followed me to Deschutes County. Several years later, I interviewed with Mike Dismore, I just felt like I couldn’t do the Chaplaincy at that time due to work and responsibilities. In 2017 I was attending Bend Christian Fellowship and enrolled into a ministry class called MinistryTraining Institute a nine-month course I earned a certification of completion in practical ministry from Camby Bible College in May 2018. I felt like the Lord was speaking to me about taking what I had learned and putting it into practice. In June 2018 interviewed with Jim Crowley and met with the COPC board and became a volunteer chaplain in August of 2018 for Deschutes County. In December 2020, my wife and I moved to Prineville Oregon where I continued my volunteer Chaplaincy in Crook County and Jefferson County. 

 

I have been married to my beautiful wife Sue Ellen for 42 years this May we have four sons, Tyler married to Sarah Justice, granddaughter Kate who is five and a one-month- old grandson Kaiden they live in Sunriver. Travis lives in Boise Idaho to be close to his son Jett, who is nine. Troy living in Bend. Last but not least Taylor who is our youngest son who lives in Bend and is a police officer with Redmond PD! 

 

Stepping away from 25 years with Aflac, to be obedient to the Lords calling and moving into full-time ministry as a Chaplain is very exciting! It’s a great new opportunity to serve our Community in Tri Counties and the first responders! I want to thank the individuals, churches, businesses and first responders for their continued support for COPC!! Looking forward to meeting each of you here in the near future.

 

The Lord gave me this scripture as I was praying about this position.

(1 Cor. 15:58 ) - So my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Do not let anything change you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord because you know that the work in the Lord is never wasted!!

 

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face shine upon you and give you peace!

 

Chaplain Richard Ross