St. Johns, Mich.—Ronald J. Sischo, associate pastor of First Baptist Church, St. Johns, Mich., has been deployed to Kuwait with his unit of the US Navy Reserves. Pastor Sischo, 52, was a “week-end warrior” at the Lansing Reserve Center, Lansing, Mich., with 22 years experience in the reserves. He was awaiting his retirement papers when activated in the fall of 2007.
Ron arrived in Kuwait in time for what locals called “the sandstorm of the year,” which came while his unit was temporarily housed in tents. It was impossible to keep tent flaps closed during the storm, and by morning there was an inch of sand covering everything, including the soldiers. “Just imagine that we are trying to start a brand new colony on Mars,” says Ron.
Ron and Pam Sischo were led to the Lord in 1984 by Pastor Joseph Bower. They have five children, including a married son and daughter and three daughters still at home. The Sichos have four grandchildren.
Ron has served as senior pastor at three GARBC churches (Bible Baptist, Oak View, Calif., First Baptist, Ducor, Calif., and Blessed Hope Baptist, Escanaba, Mich.) prior to his current ministry at First Baptist, St. Johns, Mich., where he has served for the past six years as associate pastor. He is scheduled to return home between November, 2008, and January, 2009.
