My name is Ron O'Dell. The Lord has given me a wonderful wife, Rachel. We were married in 1999, and the Lord has blessed us with three children – Brittany, Madelyn, and Ronnie. I have had the privilege of serving as an elder at Grace Community Church in Maryville, Tennessee since 2008. After working as a flooring installer with my dad for nineteen years, I transitioned from a lay elder to a staff elder in 2010.
When I was four years old, my parents became Christians. From then on, I was at church whenever the doors were open. I went to a Christian school, and most of my friends were professing Christians. I had memorized hundreds of verses and had a thorough knowledge of all the stories of the Bible. However, I often struggled with assurance of my salvation. I made several "decisions" for Christ, hoping to gain the assurance I was seeking but lacked any real love for Christ. In my early twenties, I was going through a very dark time in my life. I was "a double-minded man, unstable in all my ways" (James 1:8). It was during this time that the Lord graciously humbled me, and for the first time, I began to meditate on the Word day and night (Psalm 1). I began to see that assurance does not come from "making a decision," but through the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. It was also during this time that I began to fully embrace the Doctrines of Grace. I now understood that it was only "according to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3).
One year after Rachel and I were married, we moved to East Tennessee and began attending Grace Community Church. After completing a two-year internship through XL Ministries under our teaching pastor, I was hoping to continue my education while remaining on staff at our church. It was during this time that we found Reformed Baptist Seminary.
The Lord has used RBS to challenge and humble me. The classes have strengthened my appreciation for the authority of Scripture. I have learned to think more deeply and clearly about the essential doctrines that we as Christians hold dear. As a result, my confidence and ability to communicate these truths have steadily increased. Additionally, I am thankful for RBS's desire to provide an education while working hand in hand with the local church. Most of all, I appreciate the seminary's desire to put a proper focus on Christ in every class.
My time at RBS has pushed me to be more disciplined and required me to persevere beyond what I thought possible. I want to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Gonzales and all the professors who have taught me during my time at RBS. I am sincerely appreciative beyond words. I am also thankful for the prayers of my family and church family. They have often been a tremendous source of encouragement to me. And most of all, I want to thank my wife and children who have supported me throughout this entire process.

Soli Deo Gloria!