I was born and raised in New Jersey, first born to Robert and Margaret Mars.  I have one brother, Glenn.  I went to college, got a Master’s degree in Physiology, and worked in Pharmaceutical Research in Cardiovascular Pharmacology for eleven years.  I did Microbiology research while in the Army 1968 to 1970.
I remember first hearing a clear Gospel presentation from my brother in 1975, but I wasn’t ready at that time to receive Jesus as Savior.  But he and his wife and a group of believers in the Seattle area began to pray for me.  Three years later, and a whole lot of crud experienced in living the unsaved life began to wear me down.  I had purchased a tract of land in Parkman Maine in 1977 and intended to build a cabin on it, become a hermit and retire from life.  So I moved out to live with my brother and sister-in-law for the winter with the intention of moving back to Maine the following spring.  They invited me to go to church with them, and I felt, ‘Why not.  It can’t hurt.’  I envied them for the contentment and peace they had and believed it must have come from their religion.  However I had been ‘religious’ and it didn’t do anything for me!  So I went.  There I met some of the people who had been praying for me for 3 years!  They were so excited to meet me and had such big smiles on their faces that I said to myself ‘Whatever these people have, I want!’ 
In January of 1978, in the Kingdome in Seattle, Washington, at the automobile show, I met a guy at the Amsoil table.  He turned out to be an itinerant evangelist who asked me if I had a relationship with Jesus Christ.  I said ‘No.’   He asked if I wanted to have one, and I said ‘Yes!’  He led me to the Lord in the wings of the Kingdome.
        My brother immediately bought me a Bible, got me going to Church and Sunday School regularly, giving a portion of my income to the Lord each week, attending a ‘share and care’ group of guys each Wednesday morning, etc.  And so I stayed there in Seattle for the next 3 years growing in Christ.
        But I still had that land in Maine and one day in my apartment, I lifted the deed to the Lord and asked Him to guide me.  That spring of 1981 I moved back to Maine convinced that the Lord wanted me here.  I didn’t know anyone.  Had no idea what He had in store for me, but I wanted to be in His will.  Long story short, I met my wife Arlene in Parkman Baptist Church; we were married in June of 1982; eventually we began attending Grace Bible Church; and the rest is history.

What’s in a name?  Do you know what your name means?  Is there a special verse in the Bible that enforces the meaning of your name?  Ronald means ‘strength’ and a verse that encourages me to live up to my name is Ephesians 6:10 which says: ‘Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power’.  That has become my life verse.  Time after time, I have seen the power of the Lord work mightily in and through me, for which I am eternally grateful.  Conquering harmful habits, sharing the Gospel with others, teaching the Word of God, loving my wife, etc.  This same power is available to all who call on the name of Jesus as Savior.  How will He enable you today?