The Reverend Ralph T. Barteld

Home with his Lord and precious Diane.

Your father was such an inspiration to me. Reverend Ralph encouraged me to continue on my spiritual journey. His gift of knowledge, the many books and periodicals he shared and in my library now, are a constant inspiration. His love for Christ shown through in all his sermons, in his love and patience toward others and his contagious smile and that constant twinkle in his eyes. He touched so many lives, and will always be remembered as a true man of God. God bless all of you, his children. You had parents who showed you what living the christian life was all about.

So sorry to you Sue and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Jacki

I'm so sorry for your loss. I have such fond memories of both your parents. Ralph was such a relatable person, a wonderful pastor. One of my favorite memories were the yearly trips to Cedar Point, after VBS, I think Ralph enjoyed it even more than us kids! I confess that I still continue to look for all those same qualities in pastors that I have had since. Ralph and Diane and your whole family were such a wonderful part of my life growing up, and I know that my Mom and Dad loved them so much too.
Sending prayers for you all.
Holli (Penland) Tompkins

I first met Rev. Ralph Barteld when I was a 16 year-old rebel - a runaway from home - in Port Sanilac, Michigan. He had led his church to sponsor a week-long evangelistic crusade with a Teen Team a Gospel team from Youth for Christ. The lives and testimonies of those kids impressed me so much, I wanted to know more. After three days of watching and listening to them, I sought Ralph out. I had some questions. He answered them. Then he shared the Gospel with me. That night, Wednesday, July 28, 1965, at 10:50 PM, I received Christ as my Savior, and I have never been the same since. Jesus radically changed my life. One week later, I returned home as a new creature in Christ. I am so thankful that Ralph was faithful to his call to be a soul winner.
After I was saved, I had a hard time quitting smoking. I asked Ralph what I could do. He said, Every time you light up a cigarette, pray and ask God to help you quit. I did that, and a week later, as I lit up a cigarette, I got the sudden urge to throw the cigarette down and stomp it out. I stomped and stomped, and I never smoked again.
Shortly after I became a Christian, some people started a bad rumor about me. I went to Ralph and asked him what to do. He shared Matthew 5:44 with me, where Jesus taught us to forgive our enemies and to pray for them. I did that, and almost immediately the rumor stopped. It is so exciting to watch God work!
During my first 10 minutes as a Christian, Ralph told me, Now that you've become a Christian, you need to tell others about Christ. I have never forgotten what he told me, and I have dedicated my life to winning the lost to Christ and to training God's people to be soul winners. I will be going to Myanmar (Burma) next month to train 120 pastors to mobilize their people to do Evangelism by Multiplication. None of this would have happened, had it not been for Ralph's influence on my life.
Ralph led many people to Christ during his lifetime. These are his children in the Lord. Another part of his legacy is his spiritual grandchildren. Ralph lived to see that thousands of people from all over the world have come to Christ through our international ministry. No doubt he will rejoice to see a great multitude of people who have come to Christ because of his faithfulness to share the Gospel with me that summer night in 1965. I am so thankful that he cared enough to share the Gospel and lead me to Christ.
Ralph was a sinner saved by grace, a humble servant of the Lord and a family man who, along with Diane, raised a wonderful family. He has moved to his permanent home with Diane and all those who have gone on before. He will be missed, but for those of us who are born again, the separation is only temporary. So for us it is not Good bye forever, but So long for now!